Category: 2014 Sermons

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:10 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Forget Waldo, Where’s Jesus?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:39-52
Duration: 18:10
Size: 8.31 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Forget Waldo, Where’s Jesus?
Luke 2:39-52

Do you every find yourself calling out those same words: Where’s Jesus?

Can you imagine the fear that must have been on Mary and Joseph heart?

We often feel as if we have misplaced Jesus because we have allowed other things to distract us.

1. What are some of the things that we allow to distract us? __________________

Are we looking for Jesus in the wrong places? It’s not about numbers, or size, or us. It’s all about Jesus.

What was Jesus saying? If you are looking for me all you have to do is look where God is already working and join him.

2. Where’s Jesus? __________________

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:26 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: The Waiting Game
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:20-38
Duration: 23:26
Size: 10.7 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Waiting Game
Luke 2:20-38

There are three ceremonies that are condensed into just a few verses.

It is probable that the first sign of the identity of this child that was given to Simeon was when he was told that his name was Jesus.

The only things we are told are the things that matter most to God – things which pertain to his character and his relationship with God.

Four characteristics of the individuals of this story.

1. He came to the right place to find Jesus.

Simeon’s devotion to the Temple is a reminder to the Christian of the importance of faithfulness to the Church.

2. He personally received Christ.

This man, who knew that God held him in the palm of His hand, now holds God in his arms!

3. He experienced true peace with God.

Salvation is not just something Jesus did it is also who He was.

From the beginning all the way to the end of his life Jesus continued to spark wonder and amazement in the hearts of people.

Christ divides people into two camps, those who are his followers and his servants and those who reject Him.

4. They both lived expectantly.

Simeon had been divinely guided to the Temple; Anna was always there.

Application

1. Both Simeon and Anna lived with expectancy.

2. It is only by receiving Christ personally that you can have the peace to die.

3. It is our unchanging task to tell everyone we can about the redeemer.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:59 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Night Shift Shepherds
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:8-20
Duration: 21:59
Size: 10.0 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Night Shift Shepherd
Luke 2:8-20

Who do you identify with in the Christmas story?

Let us examine shepherds and perhaps we can discover the qualities that God saw.

First of all, they were religious outcasts.

Not only that, but shepherds were borderline social outcasts.

It gave them a lot of contact with sheep, but very little exposure to people.

Maybe He chose the shepherds because God compares His relationship with us as that of a shepherd with His sheep.

They remind us of our faithful God. And we also need to be faithful – to God and to those God has entrusted to our care.

If any of that description strikes a chord with you, then I have good news. Great news. The best news possible. God loves you. Just like He loved those shepherds.

They simply obeyed and went.

They shared the good news with others.

After they made known abroad the good news, then they worshipped.

We can learn a lot from a simple Night Shift Shepherd.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:08 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Pausing in Adoration
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:1-7
Duration: 25:08
Size: 11.5 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Pausing in Adoration
Luke 2:1-7

Adoration is defined as a feeling of profound love and admiration.

The shepherds came in excitement.

The wise men came with obedience.

Mary and Joseph came in prayer.

How amazing is it that God wants to be with us.

God is big, He moves in the big things. There is nothing in your life that is too big for Him to handle.

But God is also in the small things.

If you’re waiting for God to speak in your life, here is a good place to start, read your Bible.

The Gospel message is so simple, God loves you, He died to pay the price for all of your sins, and mine, and if you will just ask Him to forgive you and be a part of your life He will.

Here is what is amazing the God who marked off the oceans, the God who measured the Heavens, wants to know you and me.

Not as some being way up in the sky, but as the God who came down to be with you.

We come to God in different ways. The how is not important but the action is.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:21 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: The Blessedness of God
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 1:67-80
Duration: 20:21
Size: 9.31 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Blessedness of God
Luke 1:67-80

God is worthy of our praise.

Because He visited us.

Philippians 2:7-8

The incarnation of Jesus Christ is an event that ought to solicit great praise from the hearts of men and women who love the Lord.

Because He redeemed us.

Galatians 3:13
Job 19:25

We spend our lives in pursuit of every lover that comes along, but in His infinite love God purchased us for Himself.

Because He raised up a Horn of Salvation for us.

There was no part of purchasing our salvation that was beyond His ability to bring to pass.

Because He keeps His promises.

God has been faithful in the past; He is faithful today and I know He’ll still be faithful tomorrow!

Part of the way we praise Him is through holy, righteous, courageous and lifelong service to Him.

We have the privilege of preaching and proclaiming the gospel of Christ so people might be prepared for His second coming.

You want people to listen to what you have to say? Then treat them with grace and mercy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:32 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: His Name Is John
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 1:57-66
Duration: 21:32
Size: 9.86 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
His Name Is John
Luke 1:57-66

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:22 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: When God Turns Your Life Upside Down
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 1:46-56
Duration: 21:22
Size: 9.78 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
When God Turns Your Life Upside Down
Luke 1:46-56

God picks people, regular, ordinary people like you and me, and he asks us to do great things.

What God did to Mary is similar to what God sometimes does to us.

First of all, that Mary responds to God with humble faith.

Mary responded to all of this not just with humble faith, but also with humble obedience.

And finally as she thought about this, Mary also responded with joy.

Instead of condemning you for your sins, God sends his Son, who takes your sins away.

When God does that to you, remember that he will also give you faith, and courage, and joy, as you carry out God’s plan in your life.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:18 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: A Baby On The Way
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 1:39-45
Duration: 17:18
Size: 7.91 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
A Baby On The Way
Luke 1:39-45

What does the word “blessing” mean? What does “to be blessed” mean?

• God blesses his people when he bestows on them some gift temporal or spiritual (Genesis 1:22,24:35; Job 42:12; Psalm 45:2,104:24,104:35).
• We bless God when we thank him for his mercies (Psalm 103:1-2,145:1-2).
• A man blesses himself when he invokes God’s blessing (Isaiah 65:16), or rejoices in God’s goodness to him (Deuteronomy 29:19; Psalm 49:18).
• One blesses another when he expresses good wishes or offers prayer to God for his welfare (Genesis 24:60,31:55; I Samuel 2:20).

Goodness and blessing can be associated with all three of these people.

I. Blessed is the Woman carrying the Child

I think Elizabeth is telling Mary that God has bestowed upon her a wonderful gift.

II. Blessed is the Child

This baby is not an ordinary baby, but is the Son of God.

III. Blessed is She who believes what the Lord said

Both of these women have received from God something that is impossible.

Application

1. We should have no fear about this life because Our God is in control.
2. We should have hope in the future because of what Jesus has done and has prepared for us.
3. We should have peace in this life because we know God keeps His promises.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:47 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: First Mary, Now Us
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 1:26-38
Duration: 20:47
Size: 9.52 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
First Mary, Now Us
Luke 1:26-38

This morning, I want you to try and remember what it was like to be fifteen.

Scholars tell us that Mary was between 13 and 16, to be more exact most think she was about 15 when the angel Gabriel gave her this message.

She had every reason to be terrified by this news. Who on earth was going to believe such ridiculous story?

A mind that holds reason as ultimate and unbending will never Experience the miracle of Christ’s birth.

It comes down to a question of faith, a question of faith first answered by a scared fifteen year old girl.

If God were to tell you that the eternity of others hung in the balance of your willingness to carry Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and share him with others, how would you answer?

But the question is still the same; are you willing to share Jesus with the world?

Who was willing to take that risk for you?

It is up to you now to share with others the Good News.

I think that most folks are afraid that they will do or say something wrong and therefore don’t even try.

Do you care enough about the people around you to respond?