Category: 2015 Sermons

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:10 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Planning The Trip
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:51-62
Duration: 21:10
Size: 9.69 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Planning The Trip
Luke 9:51-62

Well this morning Luke tells us about another group of individuals who were about to go on a trip to Israel.

Everything that Luke tells us in these next ten chapters must be looked at through the lens of a great countdown.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Besides, they better get use to rejection because that’s just what’s going to happen once they arrive in Jerusalem.

What Jesus says to all three of them is that in order to follow him, they needed to be fully committed.

We are all called to discipleship and today I would challenge you to think about your own personal call to discipleship.

The original disciples sole qualification was their willingness to rise to their feet when Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:42 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Getting It Wrong: Breaking Boundaries
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:37-50
Duration: 22:42
Size: 10.3 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Getting it Wrong: Breaking Boundaries
Luke 9:37-50

Sometimes that is what we do with the stories of Jesus – we narrow in on the one story for the day, and miss the broad themes coming through.

In these three chapters, we see some common themes – “who is Jesus?” and “what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?”

Failure #1: Can’t cast out the demon.

The first, and longest, details their failure to cast out a particular demon.

What struck me, which maybe some of us need to hear today as a challenge, was the question – what keeps us from getting to Jesus?

If something is keeping you back, I urge you with a similar love that this father had for his son, come to Jesus.

Failure #2: They were afraid to ask.

And the failure is in the fact that in not getting it, they didn’t ask; they didn’t seek to understand.

Failure #3: Pre-occupation with self and position.

In all we know and have seen, about Jesus coming for sinners and welcoming the poor and embracing the sick, upending all the social boundaries, saying “lose your life and you will find it”, here we find the disciples in exactly the opposite disgusting rut – “who is the greatest”.

Jesus came to say that whole system is broken and misses the point – power and control are temporary illusions that keep people from being free and forgiven.

Failure #4: Exclusionism

The final failure is along the same lines as the previous, and displays the disciples continuing inability to give up the special status that they think they have as followers of Jesus.

I refuse to condemn the disciples because I see these very same failures in me and in todays church.

It all begins with us coming to Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and allowing God to make us like Jesus.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:23 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Glory, Praise, and Movement
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:28-36
Duration: 20:23
Size: 9.33 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Glory, Praise, and Movement
Luke 9:28-36

Johnny didn’t understand the Transfiguration and I dare say many of us don’t either.

Glory.
It means awe, wonder, splendor Christ in all of His glory means in all of His godly might, in all the splendor of heaven.

They for a moment, left the clouds, the rain, the brokenness of this life to go up the mountain to be with Jesus.

The glory, the light, the radiance of the Transfiguration is still with us as we allow the spirit of Christ to enter our lives and transform us into his children.

Praise.
That presence is God himself through Christ and the Spirit entering our souls and then we drop to our knees in an act of worship as we praise Him for his glory.

Movement.
We encounter the glory of God, we praise him for it as we learn to accept him, then he calls us to listen, and then to act.

We let our lifestyles show people the radiant face of one who knows Christ, who has praised Christ, who has worshiped and served him.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:44 — 11.8MB)

Sermon Audio: The Cost Of Being A Disciple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:23-27
Duration: 25:44
Size: 11.7 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Cost Of Being A Disciple
Luke 9:23-27

There is a cost to being a disciple of Christ, a cost that most people do not understand.

In order for us to be Christ’s disciples we must put Him first.

Jesus set the bar of discipleship very high for those who would follow.

It is so difficult because since the beginning of time man has wanted to fulfill his own personal agenda and meet his own interest and needs and take care of his own welfare.

Jesus was totally surrendered to the will of the Father and we are supposed to be totally surrendered to the will of the Father as well.

How can we get to that point in our lives when we are totally surrendered to God?

1. We must make a definite decision to come after Christ.

This decision is made when we accept Jesus as our Savior and allow God to forgive our sins.

2. We must deny ourselves of those things in our lives that oppose the will of God.

If we want to be a disciple of Christ and walk in the blessing and power of God then it will require us to practice self-denial, complete dedication, and willing obedience in our commitment to Christ.

3. We must take up our cross.

Taking up your cross is the total dedication of your life to God every day.

4. We must have dauntless determination and follow Him.

God doesn’t desire for us to just observe from the sideline.

The result is a church with no substantial witness or testimony that would draw others from their community into the saving power of God.

His desire is that we surrender to Him and when we do He promises to take care of everything else.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:19 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Jesus Foretells His Death
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:21-22
Duration: 23:19
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Foretells His Death
Luke 9:21-22

I. Jesus’ Command

Rather strangely, just after Peter’s magnificent confession about the true identity of Jesus, Jesus strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one.

After his resurrection, Jesus’ disciples are no longer to remain silent. Instead we are now to proclaim the truth to all about his identity.

Let us find ways to talk to colleagues, friends, neighbors, and family members about the identity of Jesus.

II. Jesus’ Prediction

Jesus, however, at this point in his life made a remarkable prediction to his twelve disciples.

A. Jesus’ Prediction of His Suffering

We know that his suffering began when the perfect Son of God left the glory of heaven and in humiliation was born in a low condition and underwent the miseries of living in this sinful world.

Jesus’ entire life was a life of suffering.

B. Jesus’ Prediction of His Rejection

The Sanhedrin eventually rejected Jesus and would not believe that he was the Christ, the Messiah, the Promised One.

C. Jesus’ Prediction of His Death

It was absolutely essential that Jesus, as God incarnate, should be killed in order to pay the penalty for our sin.

D. Jesus’ Prediction of His Resurrection

Jesus’ resurrection is our assurance that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.

Conclusion

We should thank God for what Jesus accomplished on behalf of his own.

Then he said, “Your role is simply to trust me, trust that I know what I’m doing even when it doesn’t look like it.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:19 — 10.7MB)

Sermon Audio: Why Jesus
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:18-20
Duration: 23:19
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Why Jesus
Luke 9:18-20

The Bible presents one God and one way to be saved.

1. Who do the crowds say I am?

In Luke chapter 9, Jesus asked his disciples about the perceptions of the crowds who were following him around Galilee.

What do the people you see every week think about Jesus? Could you answer His question, “Who do people say that I am?”

2. Who do you say I am?

Notice that this question is personal. Jesus was saying, “you’ve told me what others say about me”.

Jesus is distinctive because he is the only religious leader who claims to be God.

Jesus stands alone in His claims…and in the evidence that supports his claims.

Here’s the difference. Christianity is all about done.

It’s about what Jesus Christ has already done for us.

If Jesus was telling the truth, then it all comes down to how we answer His question: “What about you? Who do you say I am?”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:46 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Opportunities Right In Front Of You
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:10-17
Duration: 23:46
Size: 10.8 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Opportunities Right In Front Of You
Luke 9:10-17

If you want to understand the Lord’s will, be wise by looking for the opportunities He sets before you, especially in difficult circumstances.

But rather than seeing this as an opportunity for Jesus to work, they saw it as a problem they needed to fix.

He wanted them to get out of the fix-it mode and begin to think in an opportunity mode.

Discipleship is not for spectators.

Once we come to believe in Christ as Savior, we can’t stay there, we need to move on in making Him Lord of our lives.

Problems are opportunities in disguise.

How you respond when you reach this turning point will determine whether you go on to be involved with Him in something God-sized that only He can do or whether you will continue to go your own way and miss the opportunity He has placed before you.

When opportunity knocks, we get up and open the door.

We often forget that when God speaks He always reveals what He is going to do—not what He wants us to do.

However, the Lord isn’t interested in just feeding people’s bellies for a day; He wants to feed their souls and spirits for eternity.

God wants to use problems as opportunities to reveal Himself though us.

But when God’s people and the world see something happen that only God can do, they come to know God.

Where God guides, He provides.

So as we seek to know and to do God’s will, it is imperative that we clearly know His will and His directions for carrying it out.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:57 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Jesus Sends Out The Twelve Apostles
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:1-9
Duration: 20:57
Size: 9.59 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Sends Out The Twelve Apostles
Luke 9:1-9

These twelve apostles were trained by Jesus to carry on his mission after his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

I. Their Empowerment (Luke 9:1)

Luke said that Jesus gave power and authority to the twelve.

Today, Jesus has given authority to preach the gospel and make disciples.

II. Their Mission (Luke 9:2)

People simply need to recognize that they are sinners, repent of their sin, put their trust in the person and work of Jesus, and surrender their lives to God’s sovereign and gracious kingship.

III. Their Instructions (Luke 9:3-5)

A. Regarding Luggage (Luke 9:3)

Jesus wanted his apostles to travel light on that first short-term missions trip so that they would learn to trust him completely for everything, even their basic needs.

B. Regarding Lodging (Luke 9:4)

They were to be content with their lodging.

C. Regarding Reception (Luke 9:5)

Rejecting the message of the kingdom of God was serious.

IV. Their Obedience (Luke 9:6)

V. Their Effect (Luke 9:7-9)

Whatever his reason, Herod was asking the right question, “Who is this?”

They did not know it at the time, but their ministry laid the foundation for a ministry that has led to the salvation of literally billions of lives since the first century.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:08 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Help God, I Hurt
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 8:40-56
Duration: 27:08
Size: 12.4 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Help God, I Hurt
Luke 8:40-56

I’ve learned to hide my feelings so deeply that sometimes I can even fool myself.

They were very different people but had this one thing in common, they were both hurting.

But Jairus was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures.

We think that God is only concerned with the big important problems in this world.

It is one thing to press Him and another thing to touch Him by faith.

You know its so amazing how quick some folks can get attached to objects and attribute power to it.

Have you ever felt like maybe God wasn’t in quite as big of a rush as you are?

Reach out to Jesus even through the crowd. Sometimes there may be a crowd that prevents you from coming to Jesus…maybe that crowd may be your friends, or maybe it’s even the church.

And you may place your trust in Christ and things may get worse.

So what is the word from the Lord today; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall never perish but will have everlasting life.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:20 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Freedom In Christ
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 8:26-39
Duration: 23:20
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Freedom In Christ
Luke 8:26-39

It is only when Christ is present, whether in the life of an individual, a family, a church, or a nation, that they experience genuine and lasting freedom, but even that freedom is something most believers will never experience because of three obstacles that we face.

Satanic Opposition

The Bible plainly tells us that this man was plagued by a mob of demons that went by the name of Legion.

No I want you to be clear on this; if a man or woman rejects Christ and goes to hell, they go because they made a conscious choice to reject Christ.

Love of Darkness

You see, one of the greatest obstacles most people will ever face is their own love of the darkness they live in.

When you step out of that world into the world of light, then you can find freedom like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.

Fear

It didn’t matter that this man who had been in such bondage was now set free, or that this Jesus was just as concerned about their eternal souls – they were afraid and unwilling to have any dealings with Him.

Jesus went all the way across that lake just to meet this man and set him free.

The obstacles are real, and they are difficult to overcome. Most will never find freedom, but for those of you who are ready, Jesus stands today ready.