Portland, Oregon – A Congregation of Faith and Love
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Sermon Audio: A Race For All Generations
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:6-9
Duration: 15:32
Size: 7.11 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
A Race For All Generations
Luke 13:6-9
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Sermon Audio: A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:1-5
Duration: 19:37
Size: 8.98 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action
Luke 13:1-5
Life is full of questions.
But what really annoys others is the simple pat answers.
I don’t believe that the Asian tsunami or the 9/11 attacks had easy answers.
Quite honestly, I think it insults God’s intelligence when we come up with definite one-line answers for hard things in our world.
Instead of cursing the darkness, light a lamp.
I’m wondering if God is more concerned that we live to please him in everything, than He is in letting us know who’s saved and who isn’t.
Next time you want to complain about the church, ask if you’re actually contributing, if you’re part of the solution.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:28 — 9.8MB)
Sermon Audio: Can Dry Bones Live?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Ezekiel 37:1-10
Duration: 21:28
Size: 9.83 MB
Can Dry Bones Live?
Ezekiel 37:1-10
The northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah.
Those who were carried off to a foreign land thought their circumstance was hopeless.
A common cry emerged: “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.”
The nation of Israel was dead. But God had a vision for Ezekiel.
Regardless of your situation, there is much to be learned.
God asked Ezekiel a question, “Can these bones live?” How would you answer that question?
Ezekiel was telling God that God is in charge.
Spiritual death is a slow but consuming path.
We become spiritually dead when sin gets in the way.
Ephesians 2:1 tells us that when we wallow in our sins and transgressions. We are spiritually dead.
Ezekiel’s experience teaches three things about life and successful living through the challenges we face:
The Spirit of God brings us life in Christ Jesus.
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:17
Can Dry Bones Live?
It Is Up To You!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:58 — 1.0MB)
Sermon Audio: The Signs of the Times
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:54-59
Duration: 19:58
Size: 9.14 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Signs of the Times
Luke 12:54-59
Jesus now continues his teaching by warning his disciples and anyone else who would listen that there is great wisdom in reading the signs of the times.
First, You Need to Recognize That Judgement Is Real.
Yet the people of today pay far more attention to tomorrow’s weather forecast than they do to their eternal destiny.
The signs are there for those who are willing to observe them, and they warn of an inferno of judgment against an ungodly world, a fact which most people prefer to ignore or deny.
Secondly, You Need to Prepare Because Judgement Is Coming.
Having issued the warning, Jesus next in verses 57-59, gives the crowd (and us) some advice on how to prepare for judgment.
You had better settle with him before it is too late.
1. This Preparation Begins with a Sense of Our Sin.
People who have allowed God’s grace to work in their lives mourn their sin, the lost do not acknowledge their guilt.
2. This Preparation Involves Real Change.
“Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things, Charlie Brown.”
3. This Preparation Involves Accepting Christ as Your Personal Savior.
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Sermon Audio: Lasting Peace Has a Price
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:49-53
Duration: 15:39
Size: 7.16 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Lasting Peace Has a Price
Luke 12:49-53
Well Jesus too teaches that lasting peace has a price.
While Jesus shuddered at the thought of going to the cross he did not shrink from the task.
God burned the record of our sins by sending Jesus to pay for them at the cross, that baptism of fire.
Yes, the cross of Christ and its message ignites fires wherever it goes.
Because where there is no cross, there may be peace with man, but there can be no peace with God.
Yes, when you get tired of the conflict that comes because you’re a Christian, consider Christ and the cross he suffered.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:12 — 1.3MB)
Sermon Audio: Are You Ready?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:35-48
Duration: 21:12
Size: 9.70 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Are You Ready?
Luke 12:35-48
There are some things that are far too important to take a chance on. One of these is our relationship to God.
The one who has his treasure in heaven will be ready and watching for the Lord’s return; the one who has his heart set on the treasures of this world will be caught completely unaware at His coming.
The First Characteristic of a Good Waiter is Preparation.
They kept the light burning and themselves in a constant state of readiness to spring up at a moments notice to joyous welcome their master home.
The Second Characteristic of a Good Waiter is Expectancy.
What is important is being prepared and living a life of expectancy.
The Third Characteristic of a Good Waiter is Faithfulness.
Concerning Faithfulness Jesus has two things to say.
1. For the Faithful the Lord’s Return Holds Reward.
They are alive and active, serving Christ to the best of their ability.
2. For Some the Lord’s Return Holds Only Terror.
What makes the difference between whether Jesus is seen as the welcomed Master or the dreaded thief? The difference is relationship.
The thrust of Jesus’ message can be summed up in two words: Get ready!
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Sermon Audio: The World’s Most Acceptable Sin
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:22-34
Duration: 20:36
Size: 9.43 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The World’s Most Acceptable Sin
Luke 12:22-34
One leading physician has stated that, in his opinion, 70% of all medical patients could cure themselves if only they got rid of their worries and fears.
We know that we shouldn’t worry but we just can’t seem to keep from worrying.
He is trying to fight the battle of life on two fronts at the same time and he is bound to lose the war.
Two Reasons That Worry Is a Bad Idea.
To worry is foolishly to forget who we are – we are children of the King.
Worry can rob us of two things in life, we won’t live as long and we will be unable to live a happy and fulfilled life.
Four Great Principles For Overcoming Worry!
So how can we attempt to overcome worry? In the text we find four great principles for overcoming worry.
Principle One: Trust God.
Whenever we start to feel anxious we can give our burden over to the Lord.
Principle Two: Put God First.
Seeking the kingdom of God is the means to achieve the meeting of our material needs.
Principle Three: Don’t Give In To Fear.
Jesus tells the believer that they are to stop being afraid, it is this fear that manifests itself in our lives as worry.
Principle Four: Reduce Your Worry Load.
In order to excuse our self-indulgence, we just add to the list of what is essential.
The crucial issue in life is not the amount of our treasure but the location of it.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:52 — 1.0MB)
Sermon Audio: What’s Really Important In Life?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:13-21
Duration: 17:52
Size: 8.17 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
What’s Really Important In Life?
Luke 12:13-21
The passage from Luke that we are going to be looking at today forces us to look at our lives and ask ourselves What’s really important in life?
It’s amazing how humbling this realization is; to know that the poorest of us in this room are richer than most of the rest of the world and yet do we have enough?
A change of heart, that was what made Jesus’ teaching so different.
Starting in verse 16, Jesus gives us five principles of what happens when our hearts begin to focus exclusively on ourselves and we become greedy.
The First Principle: When we focus on ourselves, we do not give God the credit for things he has done.
The Second Principle: When we focus on ourselves, we make plans but leave God out.
The Third Principle: When we focus on ourselves, we consider spending our resources only on ourselves.
The Fourth Principle: When our hearts are focused on ourselves, we store our treasures in the wrong places.
The Fifth Principle: When we focus on ourselves, we will find ourselves in conflict with God’s Plan for our lives.
So our decision comes down to a very simple question.
Are you going to live for yourself or for God?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:33 — 1.0MB)
Sermon Audio: Acknowledge Christ Before Men
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:8-12
Duration: 18:33
Size: 8.49 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Acknowledge Christ Before Men
Luke 12:8-12
Then he urged his disciples to acknowledge him before men.
I. The Priority of Acknowledging Christ Before Men
A. The Reciprocation for Acknowledging Christ Before Men
It means that whatever we do, whether at work or at school or at home or at play, we do it all for Jesus.
If Jesus has promised to acknowledge us in heaven, then we should take courage and acknowledge him on earth.
B. The Retribution for Not Acknowledging Christ Before Men
Because we did not take a stand for Jesus Christ while we were alive on earth, he will not take a stand for us when we die and stand before God in heaven.
II. The Principles in Acknowledging Christ Before Men
A. There Is Sin That Is Forgivable
A good example of such forgiveness is the forgiveness that Jesus offered the people who taunted him while he was hanging on the cross.
B. There Is Sin That Is Unforgivable
A person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit is so strongly opposed to Christ that he believes that Jesus is in fact Satan.
III. The Persecution for Acknowledging Christ Before Men
A. The Hostility in the Persecution
They would be dragged before the various religious and political leaders and forced to defend their faith.
B. The Help in the Persecution
When Peter and John were arrested and hauled before the Sanhedrin, the Holy Spirit helped them to say what ought to be said in that situation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:59 — 1.0MB)
Sermon Audio: Have No Fear
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:4-7
Duration: 18:59
Size: 8.69 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Have No Fear
Luke 12:4-7
Jesus recognized that his disciples struggled with fear. And so he addressed the issue of fear in their lives.
I. Proper Fear
But in Luke 12 Jesus teaches his disciples two very important principles with respect to fear.
A. Do Not Fear People
Jesus urged his friends not to fear people. He urged them not to fear even those who could kill the body.
B. Do Fear God
It is God, and God alone, who has authority to cast into hell, because of our sin against him.
“Fear of God is desperately needed in today’s church.”
How we need this wholesome fear that Jesus commended to his disciples.
II. Preserving Fear
Jesus teaches that a proper fear of God is in fact a preserving fear.
A. God Cares for Sparrows
But, not even the sparrow thrown into the bargain without real value is forgotten before.
B. God Cares Far More for Christians
Jesus was saying that God cares for sparrows. But he cares far more for his children.
If you don’t fulfill the mission God assigned to you, who will?