2019-01-20: The Minor Prophets — Amos: Enduring Grace

Sermon Audio: Amos: Enduring Grace
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Amos 1-9
Duration: 22:20
Size: 10.9 MB

The Minor Prophets
Amos: Enduring Grace
Amos 1-9

Amos saw a vision–God standing by a wall that has been built true and straight.

So, Amos came and lifted up, in a sense, a mirror for them to look at themselves and judge for themselves.

God was telling them, if they continue to go down this road, they would face dire consequences.

God will not punish without warning.

God never condemns anyone. John 3:17 tells us very clearly. Jesus came in our world to save us, not to condemn us.

God does that in our lives, giving us His messages through friends, sermons, experiences we had, to remind us of our need to return to Him.

The book of Amos is the call of God for man to return to Him and His ways.

The Bible is the revelation of God–His being and His doings, His will and His ways.

2019-01-13: The Minor Prophets — Joel: Rend Your Heart

Sermon Audio: Joel: Rend Your Heart
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Joel 1-3
Duration: 22:37
Size: 11.0 MB

The Minor Prophets
Joel: Rend Your Heart
Joel 1-3

You have this picture of a realization (or revelation), a turn around (repentance), and a restoration (a returning to God).

This realization can only come through the fresh revelation of God’s will.

The Israelites will never, ever, experience again, the true blessings of God, for their lives, until they realized their mistake and turn around.

His goal is repentance, not destruction. That’s why God is relentless in proclaiming the same message over and over again, through His prophets.

We see the INTENT of God’s judgement. God desires our repentance.

It really doesn’t matter what you do, if there is no change of heart, there is no repentance.

True repentance takes place because there is a turning to God–a revelation of God’s glory, His holiness.

That’s why daily time with God is important. Our worship of God is crucial. Close encounters with God bring repentance.

2019-01-06: The Minor Prophets — Hosea: Relentless Love

Sermon Audio: Hosea: Relentless Love
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Hosea 1-14
Duration: 20:55
Size: 10.2 MB

The Minor Prophets
Hosea: Relentless Love
Hosea 1-14

Hosea, a young preacher, is led by God to meet and woo and win a young woman by the name of Gomer.

Even though she has left the home, she has not left his heart.

But if you’re tempted to sit in judgment on Gomer, I remind you that that’s the way you and I have acted all of our lives.

God would not love you more than He loves you right now. It is the love that you would feel if you stand beneath the cross and see Jesus died for you.

Do you know how much He loves you? Are you in love with Him?

You come close, so close until you see your reflection around the pupil of His eye.

2018-11-18: All In — Alabaster Jar, 30 Pieces of Silver, and the Cross

Sermon Audio: All In — Alabaster Jar, 30 Pieces of Silver, and the Cross
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 26:6-16,36-46
Duration: 19:49
Size: 9.66 MB

All In
Alabaster Jar, 30 Pieces of Silver, and the Cross
Matthew 26:6-16,36-46

So I’ve given you pictures of what it looks like to go all in with God, to push all your chips to the middle of the table and say, God I belong to you.

It is understanding that it doesn’t start with what you can do for God, it starts with what God has done for you.

She wasn’t just pouring perfume on Jesus, She was giving her life to Jesus. She was offering her life to Jesus.

So when we give these gifts, of our tithes and offerings I hope you see it as an alabaster jay of perfume.

Jesus is alluding to the cup of wrath, sometimes it is called the cup of sorrow in the Old Testament.

Are you grateful today? Are you grateful today that He took our place, that He drank the cup that we deserve?

I don’t know what God is demanding or asking or prompting of you, but He gave everything, and that means we should be willing to give ourselves back to Him.