Category: 2011 Sermons

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2011-10-16: Games People Play – Solitaire

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:17 — )

Sermon: Games People Play – Solitaire
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 3:14
Duration: 27:17
Size: 12.4 MB

Games People Play
Solitaire
Matthew 3:14

If you get right down to it solitaire is a great game to play, but it’s a terrible way to live.

Do you have friends that are committed to helping you along in life?

The question for you today is will you share your life with others? Or will you choose to play it safe, to shut people out?

James 5:16

God himself longs to embrace you. He does this on this side of heaven through other people.

Ephesians 1:4-5

It means it’s better to eat Twinkies with friends then exercise alone!

Hebrews 10:23-24

Let’s help each other out, let’s help each other be followers of Christ and hold on to our faith.

When you serve with others you get to know them.

But you will never fully experience the kind of relationships I’ve talked about this morning until you fully embrace another relationship.

You see once we come to an understanding that we all need Christ, we understand that on this side of heaven we are all broken vessels, we are imperfect people and we all need Christ.

You must first come to terms with your relationship with Jesus Christ.

If I looked at your life and tried to find some kind of evidence that you were a Christ follower, would I find any?

The story of Jesus is a love story, the relentless pursuit of the creator of the world.

I John 3:16 – This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.

Next Week
Trivial Pursuit

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2011-10-09: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iLive

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:47 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iLive
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Romans 6:3-23
Duration: 25:47
Size: 11.8 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iLive
Romans 6:3-23

Without that battery there is no life, no power… no music.

People don’t react well to death… even if it’s the death of their iPod.

Jesus came to free us from that fear of death.

Hebrews 2:15
John 11:25
John 14:19
John 14:6
I Corinthians 15:54-57

Jesus came to give us life, and life more abundantly than any other power can give.

Romans 6:3-8

You see: when we were baptized into Christ something changed within us.

Ezekiel 36:26

Don’t try hooking up the battery of sinful past along with the new one God just gave you when you became a Christian.

Romans 6:12-13

That’s why you and I became a Christian to begin with. We wanted something better than what we had.

But even that new heart – that new battery – that new lifestyle is still going to be inferior to the one God can give us.

If all you have beating in your life is a really good mortal heart it could never last long enough in the courts of heaven.

When God gave you a new heart – He gave you a power source that will allow you to live forever.

Psalm 40:3

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2011-10-02: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iServe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:50 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iServe
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 22:24-27
Duration: 23:50
Size: 10.9 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iServe
Luke 22:24-27

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Music has a way of changing our lives.

Our Text this morning tells us about 12 men who aren’t into sharing.

Matthew 20:25-28

In other words – if you want to be great in the Kingdom of God you’ve got be a servant.

Luke 22:19-20

This all took place at the Last Supper… the template for our observance of Communion time.

John 13:8
John 13:14
Acts 20:7

You can take communion all by yourself but Jesus designed communion to be a time when we would “come together” and eat this meal along with other Christian brothers and sisters.

Ephesians 5:21

Servanthood lies at the heart of who we are as Christians. And communion reinforces this for us.

I Corinthians 11:17
I Corinthians 11:20-30

It’s a time when we’re reminded that Jesus gave us a powerful example of servanthood.

And when we finally get communion right… it’s a time when we learn to love each other so much that we really want to be servants of one another.

Next Week
iLive
Romans 6:3-23

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2011-09-25: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iGive

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:15 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iGive
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 4:15-37
Duration: 25:15
Size: 11.5 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iGive
Acts 4:15-37

If you want something badly enough… you’ll find a way to get it.

They’re questioned, threatened, and commanded not to preach about Jesus anymore.

Acts 4:19
Acts 4:31

Now all these people were part of an exciting body of believers… and nobody wanted to go home.

Acts 4:34-35

Communism and Socialism are man-made attempts to remedy the abuses of capitalism.

They held all things in common because they wanted to.

Acts 5:4

They sinned because they lied about their donation in order to manipulate the church into giving them the praise everyone else got.

Acts 4:19-20

In other words: you can do what you like… but we’re going to put God first.

Leviticus 19:10
Proverbs 14:31
Proverbs 19:17

In fasting, His people can set aside the money they would have spent on food and give that to the poor.

Isaiah 58:7-8

I noticed in this passage that the early church gave themselves to prayer.

Acts 4:31
Acts 4:32

I think their prayerfulness led to their giving hearts.

They gave to the church to help the poor because they wanted to take care of the poor among them so badly… they found a way to get it done.

Next Week
iServe
Luke 2:24-27

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2011-09-18: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iSurrender

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:39 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iSurrender
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: James 4:1-10
Duration: 23:39
Size: 10.8 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iSurrender
James 4:1-10

The things of this world might keep you entertained, but they can’t give true satisfaction.

James 4:1-2

If you have God… what else could you possibly need?

James 4:4-9

If you want God… there’s a price to be paid:

Matthew 16:24

In order to obtain the satisfaction God wants to give you and I, we need to transform ourselves into little “i”s.

Only Jesus says: “Deny yourself…” deny yourself… deny yourself.

Essentially, James is telling us that when those emotions take over – it means WE have taken over. Our pride has been offended… and we’ve forgotten God.

How would you deal with it if someone did that to you… would you be angry?

Genesis 50:16-21

Joseph had the power… he had the opportunity… to exact his just revenge. But he refused to do that.

Matthew 5:5

Because of his meekness and his humility – God lifted Joseph up and gave him a great inheritance.

Romans 8:28

God is telling us that if we let Him be in control; if we look to Him for our total satisfaction in life; if we come to Him and humble ourselves before Him… He will make all things work together for Good in our lives.

Socrates said: “Know yourself”
The psychiatrist says: “Express yourself”
Many Counselors will say: “Love yourself”
The hedonist says: “Enjoy Yourself”
The waiter will tell you: “Indulge yourself”
The Personnel manager advises you: “Assert yourself”
Health aid companies advertise: “Take care of yourself”
Leisure time industries will tell you: “Pamper yourselves”

Only Jesus says: “Deny yourself”

Next Week
iGive
Acts 4:15-37

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2011-09-11: Grandparent’s Legacy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:27 — 10.7MB)

Sermon: Grandparent’s Legacy
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 23:27
Size: 10.7 MB

Grandparent’s Legacy
Grandparent’s Day Message
Genesis 5:21-32

Genesis 6:8-9
Hebrews 11:5

#1 Noah was a righteous man in a totally corrupt age.
Ezekiel 14:13-14
Genesis 6:5-7
II Corinthians 6:16-18

#2 Noah followed God’s instructions exactly.
Genesis 6:14-16
Genesis 6:22
Genesis 11:10
Hebrews 11:5-8
Hebrews 11:8
Hebrews 11:17
Hebrews 11:11

#3 Noah totally submitted his life to God.
Hebrews 11:7
Genesis 7:16
Genesis 7:15
Genesis 2:5-6

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2011-09-04: God & Work – A Labor Day Message

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Sermon: God & Work – A Labor Day Message
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 17:55
Size: 8.20 MB

God & Work – A Labor Day Message

I Thessalonians 4:11
II Thessalonians 3:10-12

#1 God has always honored and provided work.

Genesis 2:2
Genesis 2:15
Luke 2:8
Mark 6:3
Luke 10:7
Genesis 3:17-19

#2 The American work system is not the Christian way.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Ephesians 4:28

#3 The Christian does the best we can for others.

Colossians 3:22-24
Matthew 7:12

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2011-08-28: Get Your Feet Wet

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:06 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:29
Duration: 22:06
Size: 10.1 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
Matthew 14:29

The purpose for these kinds of moments is to help us live through and overcome, in Jesus’ name and power, those moments of fear and uncertainty, and break through to a higher level of faith and confidence in the Lord and through the Lord.

Then, at some point, he had this powerful moment when from deep within himself, Peter heard himself utter, Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you.

“Where is God calling you to walk on the water?”
John Ortberg

Four indicators God is calling you to “get out of the boat”

1. Fear

This is the easiest indicator for Peter to get out of the boat, he was afraid of going down with it!

What fear are you experiencing that might be a sign that God wants you to get out of the boat and take a step of great faith to overcome that fear that is blocking your path?

2. Frustration

Maybe you are frustrated about a situation and you are not sure you can take much more.

Is there an area of frustration you have that might be God’s way of getting your out of your boat?

3. Compassion

Many people experience a compassion that comes out of a frustration that ‘something is not right’ and it leads them to compassionate acts.

What moves you to compassion? What breaks your heart? Who breaks your heart?

4. Prayer

It is often during boat rocking, storm surging, wave crashing, moments that we get on our knees, bury ourselves in our Heavenly Father’s lap, and find the strength and the will to get up and get out of the boat and walk toward the Lord.

Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world!

Where does some change need to take place in your life so that you will respond, by faith, to Jesus’ call to get out of your boat, your place of comfort, and go to Him and follow Him?

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2011-08-21: Get Your Feet Wet – Progress Not Perfection

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:41 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet – Progress Not Perfection
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:30-31
Duration: 26:41
Size: 12.2 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
Progress Not Perfection
Matthew 14:30-31

Whether or not storms come, we cannot choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.
-Max Lucado

“The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.”

These moments of fear are just moments, significant to be sure, but just moments that will form part of their historic memory and vital message of the Christian Gospel in the decades, and for us, centuries ahead.

Can’t we also look back and see the progress that we have made in our own faith journey through what now we see were “getting out of the boat” moments.

Those who take bold chances don’t think failure is the opposite of success. They believe complacency is.

1. Choose to learn from failure.

To face our own failure, not so-and-so’s failure, my failure requires a strength of character and will that, only comes as we surrender our will to God’s and choose to learn.

But to overcome; to learn from our failures, requires us to make the choice to learn.

2. Cultivate hope.

As followers of Christ, expressing hope not naïve optimism, is critical these days, though our anxieties and fears loom large.

Hope believes that there are greater things ahead in the midst of the storms and fear.

3. Get back up.

He stopped literally living in the mud and dirt, got back up and started for home.

There will be more moments in which you are challenged to get out of the boat. But for now, you need to be rescued.

Next week
Get Your Feet Wet
Matthew 14:29

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2011-08-14: Get Your Feet Wet – Is That Your Final Answer?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:22 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet – Is That Your Final Answer?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:28-29
Duration: 20:22
Size: 9.32 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
Is That Your Final Answer?
Matthew 14:28-29

The main point of this sermon series is to face and deal with, with God’s help, our fears that hold us back from taking the next steps with the Lord.

Matthew 14:28-29

So far, we have learned that:

  • Jesus calls us to get out of the boat, that is our place of security and comfort, in order to grow in our faith.
  • Fear is a big wall that we must over come, by faith and trust in Christ.
  • That God, if we wait and intently look for Him, comes to us in the midst of our life storms; our life fears.

Saying yes to God is not a misguided calculation that creates unnecessary anxiety but a confident trust in God’s ability to help us get out of our own boats and onto the water and move forward.

Therefore, when it comes to making a “getting out of the boat” decision, our final answer is our choice of believing, trusting, and then acting on that belief and trust, or not.

Joshua 3:14-17

Fear, worry, and anxiety pops up at the slight bump in the road, doesn’t it?

We don’t like to get wet, do we? It is inconvenient and it is a nuisance.

There comes a point (many points) when we have to make a final decision; a final answer – believe or disbelieve.

Where are you feeling the pinch and pressure of “your final answer” at work, At school, At home, With finances, With a relationship?

Next week
Progress Not Perfection
Matthew 14:30-31