Category: 2010 Sermons

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:56 — )

Sermon: What To Do At The End Of The World
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 28:56
Size: 13.2 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“What To Do At The End Of The World”
1 Peter 4:7-11

So, what do you do if you believe the world is coming to an end?

I. The Passage: “The End…Is At Hand” (4:7-11)

Peter has been encouraging them in this section about how to face the suffering they’re experiencing because of their faith in Christ.

A. The End is Near, Right at the Door (4:7a)

Well look again at what Peter declares at the beginning of these verses: The end of all things is at hand!

Peter believed that all of the pieces of God’s redemptive plan were in place. He believed what Jesus told him.

Peter wanted his readers to know that they were on the verge of God’s final judgment.

He wanted them to see their sufferings as evidence that the return of Christ, that the final judgment, that the end of the world as we know it was “near”, was “at hand”, was “right at the door”.

B. Clarity and Focus at the End of the World (4:7b-11a)

The end of the world is “at hand” just as much today, as it was when Peter wrote these words.

God has ordained that each and every generation live with a genuine anticipation of Christ’s return and genuine belief that He might come at any time…because he could.

1. Praying with Clarity and Focus (4:7b)

So, what does Peter tell them in light of the very imminent “end of all things”?

What do you do at the end of the world? You pray.

For people who were enduring trials of the last days, Peter’s focus is not first on the content of their prayers, but the act of prayer itself.

“The end is at hand” prayers are prayers that demonstrate we are entrusting ourselves to God for his purposes and his glory in the midst of our suffering.

2. Loving with Clarity and Focus (4:8-11a)

Not only do these followers of Christ desperately need to be a praying community. “Above all”, they need to be a loving community.

Recognizing that the end is at hand brings clarity and focus, not only in our relationship with God, but also our relationships with one another.

Peter reminds them here to honor God with their gifts.

Peter says, pray and love with the clarity and focus that only the end of the world can bring.

II. The End of the World and the Glory of God (4:11b)

The end of all things should bring us clarity and focus in regard to the most important thing in the universe: God’s glory.

May God be glorified in our lives as we pray and love with an uncommon trust that to God and God alone belong glory and dominion forever and ever.

Next Week
“It Comes As No Surprise”
1 Peter 4:12-19

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:54 — )

Sermon: Fighting Through Your Suffering
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 34:54
Size: 15.9 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Fighting Through Your Suffering”
1 Peter 4:1-6

I. Your Top Ten

C.S. Lewis wrote, We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, “Blessed are they that mourn.”

II. The Passage: “Arm Yourselves” (4:1-6)

This is a military term Peter is using here.

In the suffering you are currently experiencing. In the suffering that is to come, are you ready to fight?

A. Fighting to Respond Like Jesus (4:1-2)

Peter is telling us that because Jesus, the Son of God, God in human flesh suffered as we suffer, we have a perfect example to follow.

Peter is reminding them that the one who is willing to suffer for Christ and/or suffer like Christ, demonstrates that he or she has put away the old life and is committed to the new.

C.S. Lewis – God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.

B. Fighting to Flee “Human Passions” (4:3-5)

But do you see that the contrast from verse 2 is still here, the contrast between “human passions” or human desires and God’s will, or what God desires.

Instead of fighting to respond like Jesus, they were being tempted to give up and give in, to go back to their old lifestyle.

A past, present, and future perspective on our sinful responses should convince us that such a choice is always the wrong choice.

C. Fighting to Have Hope (4:6)

Some of them wrongly assumed that death would keep the deceased from partaking in Jesus’ return and ultimate victory.

When a follower of Jesus dies, we should not mourn like those without hope. We will mourn, but we should also rejoice.

When we suffer, we need to fight to respond like Jesus; which means we need to fight to flee “human passions” and very often, that means fighting to have hope in the face of fear.

III. The Rest of Your Time

And because of this incredible truth, in light of these incredible truths, we have to ask, from this point out what will you do with “the rest of your time“.

So what will it take for us to fight through our suffering?

Suffering is inevitable, but how you respond and what you choose to do is up to you.

Only faith in Jesus can free us to fight through our sufferings, so that God is honored, even in the worst of times.

Next Week
“What To Do At The End Of The World”
1 Peter 4:7-11

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:46 — )

Sermon: Christ-Centered Suffering
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 29:46
Size: 13.6 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Christ-Centered Suffering”
1 Peter 3:13-22

I. Establishing the Problem: Suffering as a Christian (3:13-14,17,20)

Remember, the whole theme of this book is built around the concept of Peter’s audience, “spiritual exiles or aliens” in this world because they have been born again in Jesus.

I think this passage even speaks to those who suffer more generally.

II. Establishing the Perspective: Honoring Christ as Holy (3:18,20-22)

As they wrestle with the reality of suffering for their faith, Peter is pointing them back to the object of their faith.

Well, it all makes sense because Jesus is God in human flesh.

It means living our lives in the reality of who He is and what He’s done for us.

A. In light of His righteous and redemptive suffering (3:18a)

That’s what Jesus did, isn’t it? He suffered for doing good according to the will, the plan of God.

Our prayer is that as we suffer we will shine, so that God will use our faith to give our opponent faith.

B. In light of His spectacular and spiritual transformation (3:18b)

As they wrestled with their own suffering, Peter’s audience had to remember that Jesus suffered to the point of death.

One day we also will be made alive in the spiritual realm, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

C. In light of His proven and powerful salvation (3:20-21)

When we suffer, no matter how difficult our circumstances seem, God will ultimately rescue us.

We appeal to God for a good conscience when we seek His forgiveness through Christ.

D. In light of His absolute and authoritative position (3:22)

When we feel like our circumstances are too powerful, we need to remember that “angels, authorities, and power [have] been subjected to him.”

III. Suffering but Shining

When our hearts are set on the reality of our incomparable Jesus, we will have hope in our suffering, and we will be ready to reach out fearlessly for Christ, in both word and deed.

Suffering should not keep our focus on ourselves, it should cause us to look for opportunities to do good for others.

It’s all possible because Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.

Next Week
“Fighting Through Your Suffering”
1 Peter 4:1-6

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:55 — )

Sermon: When Every Curse Is A Sneeze
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 30:55
Size: 14.1 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“When Every Curse Is A Sneeze”
1 Peter 3:8-12

I. The Most Common Blessing

For most people, the only time they bless someone or ask God to bless someone is after a sneeze.

A. Called to a Life of Blessing (3:9)

If you were to bless someone, how would you do it (assuming they didn’t sneeze)?

To bless is to do “good” in some way, not “evil”. It is to verbally help, not verbally abuse.

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

It is a heart that wants God’s goodness to pour down on our opponent in such a way that our blessing is used to make them into a blesser.

B. Called to a Community of Blessing (3:8)

After specifically addressing different groups in these churches (i.e. servants, wives, husbands), here in 3:8 he brings it back to everyone in the church.

It is our strength as a local church family that God wants to use in our lives individually in the face of difficult times.

God’s design for us as a church is that we would love one another as brothers and sisters, siblings who look out for each other.

We are called to a life of blessing, even with those who hurt us. And we are called to that life together.

C. Called to Inherit a Blessing (3:10-12)

We have been called to bless, and that calling results in our being blessed; “to obtain a blessing”.

We give blessings in light of the fact that we will receive the greatest blessing.

For a people tempted to fear in the face of opposition, Peter reminds them that God is in control, and that as they bless those who curse them, God has blessed, is blessing, and will bless them.

II. Blessing Because of His Blessing

Are we as a church encouraging one another, are we standing with one another or are we responding with anger and bitterness when a brother or sister hurts us?

When we treat every curse as if it were a sneeze, that is, when we treat every curse as an opportunity to respond with a blessing.

Next Week
“Christ-Centered Suffering”
1 Peter 3:13-22

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:03 — 13.8MB)

Sermon: Being Jesus’ Wife
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 30:03
Size: 13.7 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Being Jesus’ Wife”
1 Peter 3:1-7

I. The Passage: “Won Without a Word” (3:1-7)

First Peter is writing to his audience to remind them of their identity as spiritual aliens, redeemed and born again by faith in Jesus Christ. (1:1-3, 14-16, 18-21)

Second in light of this new identity live lives that are separate from the world, and yet, shining the hope of Christ to the world. (2:9, 11-12)

Third, one way they can live this separate but shining kind of life, is to be submissive to the authority structures that God has placed in this world, as a way to demonstrate they are submissive to God. (2:13a; 2:16)

Peter is writing here for none other than Jesus’ wife…all of them.

A. Jesus’ Wife is Submissive and Shining (3:1-2)

But remember, Peter’s entire discussion about submission is not about equality.

Peter is extremely concerned with the message these Christians were sending to non-Christians about the faith.

Ladies, whether you are the wife of a godly man, or the wife of a worldly man, remember that your actions in most cases speak louder than words.

B. Jesus’ Wife Knows True Beauty is about Her Spirit (3:3-4)

Peter’s argument is not against braided hair or gold or clothing, per se.

This kind of imperishable beauty comes from knowing that, because of what Jesus has done, you are beautiful in the sight of the only one whose opinion really matters.

C. Jesus’ Wife is in The Company of Great Women (3:5-6)

The greatest women in history were those with the greatest faith in the greatness of God; women like Abraham’s wife, Sarah.

The submission that Sarah modeled is not one based on fear of what a husband might do our say. It is based on faith.

D. Jesus’ Wife Needs a Husband who is Jesus’ Man (3:7)

A husband who is Jesus’ man will have the heart of Christ for this woman who is striving to be Jesus’ wife; to be God’s woman.

When you are not understanding; when you do not show her honor, God is not interested in your supposedly pious prayers.

Gentlemen, please hear me, for believing couples, the point is still the same: Jesus’ wife needs a husband who is Jesus’ man.

II. A Desperate Housewife or a Desperate Faith

God is not looking for desperate housewives. He is looking for wives who have a desperate faith, a faith that holds on to Christ as its only hope.

True submission is only possible through the power of the gospel.

Next Week
“When Every Curse Is A Sneeze”
1 Peter 3:8-12

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:03 — )

Sermon: Enduring By Entrusting
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 29:03
Size: 13.2 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Enduring By Entrusting”
1 Peter 2:18-25

I. Power and Persecution

How do you respond in a situation like this? What do you say? What do you do? What would most people do? How would most people react?

II. The Passage: “When…One Endures Sorrows” (2:18-25)

As strangers in a strange world because of their faith in Jesus, Peter is encouraging these Christians to consider how their daily lives can hinder or help them as they attempt to represent Jesus.

In our passage this morning, Peter is continuing that discussion about subjection or submission. But this time, he has a new context he wants to address:

A. God’s Call for Endurance (2:18-20)

This word specifically refers to slaves or servants who are working, not in a field or a shop, but in a household.

Now, since slavery is no longer an institution in our culture, passages like this are typically connected, and rightfully so, to the modern context of the employer/employee relationship.

Endurance is literally, “bearing up under”; it is persevering in the right attitude and actions because your heart and mind are set on God.

But what does it look like to endure? And why should we endure?

B. God’s Example for Endurance (2:21-23)

God has given us a perfect example of this kind of endurance in suffering: Jesus.

To be mindful of God goes hand in hand with entrusting ourselves to God.

How in the world is a normal person supposed to bear up under this kind of unfair treatment and continue being submissive to a person like this?

C. God’s Provision for Endurance (2:24-25)

Why did Christ endure in the face of unjust suffering, because he was bearing our sins in his body on the cross.

We can because through faith in Jesus, we can “die to sin and live to righteousness“.

We can entrust ourselves and our circumstances to God believing that God will make right what is wrong.

III. The Purpose of Our Endurance

Jesus endured for the good of others; for our good. And so we endure for the same purpose.

Our endurance is focused on the good of others and the glory of God.

Next Week
“Being Jesus”
1 Peter 3:1-7

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:46 — )

Sermon: Life Underneath
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 31:46
Size: 14.5 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Life Underneath”
1 Peter 2:13-17

I. Underneath the Neon

“Down here we do what we want, when we want, anytime we want. It’s hard to give that up.”

II. The Passage: “Living as Servants of God” (2:13-17)

I’d like break this passage up into four ideas all related to the main idea of submission or subjection, the term Peter uses here in verse 13.

A. Submission to Human Structures (2:13a)

Peter wants them to understand here that honorable conduct means subjection or submission “to every human institution“.

As we see here, he begins by talking about those who govern.

B. Submission to Earthly Rulers (2:13b-14)

The word translated “emperor” here is literally the word “king”.

The issue here is not how well they carry out that purpose, or the form of this governance.

They are zealous for driving the speed they want to drive.

C. Submission to God’s Will (2:15-16)

Peter gives us some clues here into what was going on with these churches.

What Peter wants to confront here is the way in which these Christians were responding to the slander, to charges of subversion and wrongdoing.

It appears that part of the issue was a misunderstanding of Christian freedom.

“By doing good”; this, should be your response to those who would accuse you and slander you. This is how we live as people who are truly free.

D. Submission to Our Duty (2:17)

Peter spells out the obligations for a follower of Jesus Christ in regard to their different relationships.

Do we pick and choose who we will honor and love and fear?

III. The Only Reason to Be Underneath

But let’s face it, the idea of submission is not one that we generally find appealing.

Knowing what we know about the human heart, how could we ever choose life underneath?

God has freed you from sin and death in order that you might serve Him.

Only as we trust in, and look to, and depend on Jesus Christ, will we be able to live as servants of God in the freedom of submission.

Next In Series
Two Weeks
“Enduring By Entrusting”
1 Peter 2:18-25

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:42 — 14.5MB)

Sermon: Separate…But Shining
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 31:42
Size: 14.5 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Separate…But Shining”
1 Peter 2:11-12

I. Separation & Indulgence

Though it is viewed differently in different Amish communities, there is in many places a period of time, called Rumspringa.

I mention it to you this morning because I found it an interesting lens through which to view the ideas of separation and indulgence.

II. Keep Your Conduct…Honorable (2:11-12)

We might think about that first section in terms of its focus on our identity in Christ, in light of our salvation in Christ.

But we need to dig deeper into these two verses so that we can strengthen our foundation for understanding what is coming up.

A. Sojourners & Exiles (2:11a)

And everything from this point on will be an explanation of how to live as exiles.

Notice that he is urging them to “abstain from the passions of the flesh” because they are “sojourners and aliens”.

You’ve become an exile without even leaving your house.

B. Passions Of The Flesh (2:11b)

Peter is saying, “If you really belong to God’s kingdom, then stay true to the values of your King.”

When we want what God wants, that is the will of God.

To indulge in such passions, to give in to our desires and not God’s, is not something we should ever minimize.

C. Among The Gentiles (2:12a)

But as we saw last week, Peter has identified his predominantly Gentile readers with the true Israel of God, the true people of God.

III. Radically Changed By An ‘Alien’ Power (2:12b)

Your abstinence in regard to world-satisfied desires, your “good deeds“, as Peter puts it here, will be used by God to change them.

But when Peter thinks about an ‘alien‘ power, he is thinking about the power of Jesus Christ, a power that is completely alien, completely foreign to this world system.

Do you believe that people around you can be radically changed when you are living a life of abstinence and honor because of Jesus?

Through Peter, God is calling us to be separate but shining; to be alien but appealing because of Jesus Christ.

But when the most recognizable marks of our separation are defined by things like clothing and electricity, we are missing what Peter is saying.

Only when we walk by faith with Jesus, because of His cross, can we die daily to what we want, and become people who live by that ‘alien‘ power that can change hearts.

Next Week
“Life Underneath”
1 Peter 2:13-17

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:50 — 14.6MB)

Sermon: A Case of Corporate Honor
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 31:50
Size: 14.5 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“A Case of Corporate Honor”
1 Peter 2:4-10

I. Surrounded by Corporate Dishonor

The fact is we are becoming less and sell surprised by instances of corporate dishonor.

It is a case of corporate honor that is unparalleled, not only in American history, but in the entire history of the universe..

II. A People of Spiritual Worship (2:4-5)

This coming of Christ is not a one time event. It is a habit. It is a continual practice.

But the word corporate, at its root, is related to the Latin word for “body“.

All of these images paint for us a picture of spiritual worship, don’t they?

III. A People of Foretold Honor (2:6-8)

What Peter has given us here is three Old Testament quotations all connected by the term “stone“.

If we believe that Jesus is the “cornerstone“, foretold by the Hebrews prophets, that His is the only foundation that really matters in this life, we read here that we “will not be put to shame”.

What’s clear is that Peter wants to encourage his readers by reminding them that God is in control, even in the midst of persecution.

IV. A People of Grateful Proclamation (2:9-10)

If their enemies wanted to make them people of shame, Peter wants to remind them that they are, in fact, a people of honor.

We live for His honor and the glory of God.

Because God is so merciful, because of the mercy we now know in Jesus Christ, we have become a people of God.

V. The People of God’s Eternal Purposes

There is something about this passage that takes all of these descriptions of our corporate identity and reveals how big and deep each description really is.

The majority of them are not Jewish, and yet Peter, who is Jewish, is speaking to them as if the were Israel.

So what Peter knows is that through Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross, the title “God’s people” has been broadened to include all those who came in faith, Jew and Gentile.

He wants their identity, he wants our identity, our corporate identity, to be grounded in the reality that we are THE people of God’s eternal purposes.

We worship God in spirit and truth, and then tell the world why they should worship him as well;

And is that identity shaped first and foremost by the reality that we are THE people of God’s eternal purposes.

Next Week
“Separate But Shining”
1 Peter 2:11-12