Category: 2016 Sermons

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:04 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:27-40
Duration: 23:04
Size: 10.5 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
Luke 20:27-40

As God revealed truth to his people, they came to understand that there is indeed life after death.

However, not all people in Jesus’ day believed in life after death.

I. The Approach of the Sadducees

Since they rejected any existence after this life, the Sadducees focused all their efforts and attention on the affairs of this present life.

Consistent with their denial of any future life, the Sadducees lived life as if there were no tomorrow.

II. The Absurdity of the Resurrection

The Sadducees began their question by introducing levirate marriage.

III. The Answer of Jesus

Jesus’ answer contains several truths about the resurrection that I would like to go through this morning.

First, there is no marriage in the resurrection.

Second, there is no death in the resurrection.

Third, we will be like angels in the resurrection.

Fourth, the resurrection was taught by Moses in the Pentateuch.

Jesus powerfully used Moses to teach the Sadducees that there is indeed a resurrection.

IV. The Astonishment of the Crowd

In our Scripture today Jesus is of course addressing the issue of being resurrected to everlasting life.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:45 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Paying Taxes to Caesar
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:19-26
Duration: 22:45
Size: 10.4 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Paying Taxes to Caesar
Luke 20:19-26

My point is simply to say that it is difficult to understand the relationship between politics and religion.

I. The Setting

No country rabbi from the backwoods of Galilee was going to upset their good life.

At this point Jesus was still extremely popular with the people, and so if anything were to happen to Jesus the people would rise up against their own leaders.

II. The Question

Anyway, the spies were flattering Jesus because they wanted to set him up for their trap.

They decided that the question the spies should pose to Jesus should be answered only in one of two ways – just like the one Jesus gave to them!

If Jesus told people to go ahead and pay the tax, many Jews would consider him a traitor to the cause of his people.

A man who told people not to pay their taxes would be swiftly arrested and severely punished.

III. The Answer

Instead of giving a yes/no answer, Jesus really gave the spies two answers.

And Jesus says it is not only lawful, it is in fact obligatory, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s”.

We must resist the authority of the government when asked to violate a command of God.

The coin belonged to Caesar because it bore his image, and we are God’s because we bear his image!

IV. The Reaction

One cannot match wits with Jesus and come out on top!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:27 — 11.2MB)

Sermon Audio: The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:1-18
Duration: 24:27
Size: 11.1 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Luke 20:1-18

As Jesus’ ministry and mission was coming to its climactic end in Jerusalem, the religious rulers did not believe that Jesus was sent by God.

I. The Ensnaring Question of the Rulers

Jesus’ authority did not rest on other human teachers; his authority came directly from God himself.

II. The Counter Question of Jesus

This was so clever! Jesus wanted them to affirm to the people what they thought about John the Baptist.

III. The Dishonest Answer of the Rulers

So, now, in the midst of the crowds in the temple, it would be foolish to say that John’s authority was self-derived.

IV. The Concluding Response of Jesus

V. The Pointed Parable of Jesus

Jesus used an image in this parable, usually called “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants“, that was readily understood by everyone.

Every part of the parable symbolized something or someone. Therefore, the man = God, the Father; the vineyard = Israel; the tenants = Israel’s leaders; the servants = the prophets; and, finally, the son = Jesus.

A. The Work Agreement Between the Man and the Tenants

Jesus’ point is that God established Israel as his vineyard. The tenants he put in charge of the vineyard were the religious rulers.

B. The Wickedness of the Tenants

Jesus’ point was that Israel’s leaders had become successful from the fruit of the vineyard, and they wanted to keep the bounty for themselves.

Jesus’ point in the parable is that the leaders would go as far as murder in order to maintain their position, status, and authority.

C. The Wrath of the Man

They could not fathom that God would destroy them.

D. The Warning to All

Jesus was saying that he is the cornerstone. And Israel was rejecting him.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:13 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:45-48
Duration: 28:13
Size: 12.9 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Luke 19:45-48

We live in a day in which there is massive confusion about how to worship God.

Well, Jesus raised a voice against the distortion of worship he found at the temple in Jerusalem.

I. Jesus Was Zealous for the Pure Worship of God

Therefore, his ministry always focused on the kingdom of God and true worship of him.

What was happening in the Court of the Gentiles made Jesus righteously angry.

The worshipful atmosphere that was appropriate for the temple, the symbol of God’s presence, was missing.

It is apparent that God’s people are guilty of all manner of sin, yet they believe that they are exempt from divine judgment because of the presence of God’s temple in their midst.

Jesus is zealous for the pure worship of God, and he pronounces God’s judgment on false worship.

II. Jesus Was Passionate about the Clear Teaching of God’s Word

He wanted people to know how to come into a right relationship with God, which was through faith in him and repentance of sin.

Do we think that God will accept us and our worship simply because we go through the act of worship?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:45 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: What Made Jesus Cry
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:41-44
Duration: 21:45
Size: 9.95 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
What Made Jesus Cry
Luke 19:41-44

There are two instances recorded for us in the Scripture where Jesus cried.

What makes you cry? What sorts of things get to you and cause you to well up with tears?

1. JESUS CRIED… BECAUSE WHEN HIS PEOPLE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THEY REJECTED IT.

Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem because that’s where the cross was.

The people of Jerusalem were visited by God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ but chose not to accept Him.

Whenever Christians have the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus’ death, burial and Resurrection with someone who needs to hear it, but they don’t take it, it saddens Jesus.

2. JESUS CRIED… BECAUSE WHEN HIS PEOPLE REJECTED HIM, THEY SUFFERED FOR IT!

They could have had peace, but they missed it. And because they didn’t have peace, they suffered from unhappiness in the present.

People who reject Jesus Christ not only suffer from unhappiness, but also from hopelessness.

Maybe you’re suffering from grief, loneliness, depression, anxiety you need to know this morning that Jesus knows what you’re feeling.

So many of us are caught up in our own knowledge of Jesus Christ, that we can’t seem to stop and see that people all around us don’t know him.

“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:09 — 9.7MB)

Sermon Audio: The Triumphal Entry
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:28-40
Duration: 21:09
Size: 9.68 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Triumphal Entry
Luke 19:28-40

Luke organized his entire Gospel to show who Jesus is and what he had come to do to seek and to save he lost.

He knew well enough what lay ahead, and had set his face to go and meet it head on.

He was coming to be the Passover Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). But, before he gave his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), he entered the city as the King of kings.

I. Jesus Plans His Deliberate Entrance

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was an act of glorious defiance and of great courage.

So Jesus by this action came as a king of love and peace, and not as the conquering military hero that the crowds expected and awaited.

II. Jesus Affirms His Sovereign Kingship

As Jesus rode from Bethphage and Bethany down the Mount of Olives, which was directly opposite Jerusalem, he was affirming his sovereign kingship.

Jesus rides the same way into our lives today. He comes in humility to be our Savior.

III. Jesus Receives His Rightful Praise

The crowds gave Jesus his rightful praise as the coming Messiah and king for all the mighty works that they had seen.

Is it your joy and delight to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that Jesus has done and is doing?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:11 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:11-27
Duration: 23:11
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Finding Your Sweet Spot
Luke 19:11-27

When it comes to living out our commitment to God, you and I have our own sweet spots, a place of service, in our lives that allows us to live like we were created to live.

They are called spiritual gifts and if we have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ then we have been given, by God, spiritual gifts to be used to serve God and help fulfill His mission and purpose.

Every one of us here this morning has a sweet spot; every one of us here this morning has at least one talent that we need to use as part of God’s team.

I think we need to ask ourselves when it comes to the issue of not just stewardship of our time, our treasures, or our talents, but of our entire life.

Giving and serving are also important parts of our faith and life in God.

God gave people, you and me, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

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

Sermon Audio: To Seek and To Save
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:1-10
Duration: 20:20
Size: 9.30 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
To Seek and To Save
Luke 19:1-10

We make judgments about people without really knowing much about them.

In Luke we learn of a man who wished for that same thing.

Zacchaeus was a man who was not well liked or accepted in Jericho.

Just prior to Jesus entering Jericho He had told his disciples how difficult it was for a rich man to enter heaven.

But he was not going to let people keep him away from finding a new life

A man who was rejected by all, found acceptance in Christ.

Jesus is not on a search and destroy mission – His mission is to seek and to save the lost.

God loves you, more than we can comprehend or ever understand.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:09 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Blind No More
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 18:35-43
Duration: 20:09
Size: 9.23 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Blind No More
Luke 18:35-43

One man broke the rules of polite society and created a scene.

Even today, what you believe about the person of Jesus is the single most important thing in your life.

1. Reason will offer You Many Excuses For Why You Can Wait On Getting Right With God.

It may be that you have sat in the church in service after service when you have felt the tug of the Holy Spirit at your heart but you didn’t do anything about it.

2. Religion will try to silence your cry for a personal relationship with God.

What or who are you allowing to silence your request to be saved?

The sad truth is that many people want a church that comforts their challenges instead of challenging their comforts.

3. Reality of Faith Is Seen In the Life That Is Lived.

I believe that the reality of this man faith is seen not so much in his healing as in his willingness to follow Jesus and glorify God.

With the privilege of Choice, goes the terrible responsibility of living with the results or consequences of our choices.