Richmond Community Church

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:53 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Even Death Is Not A Barrier
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 7:11-17
Duration: 21:53
Size: 10.0 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Even Death Is Not A Barrier
Luke 7:11-17

Death is a cruel thief when it strikes down the young.

1. Sometimes life just seems to cave in on us.

When our loved one stops breathing and the heart stops pumping, we say, “That’s it, it is finished!”

These differences illustrate that our Savior doesn’t demand that we fit into a set pattern to receive his help.

2. We serve a Lord who is moved by our needs.

But when Jesus saw her he saw not only her grief but also the social stigma she would have to bear as well.

Jesus told her not to weep because he was about to turn her tears into a testimony.

3. Our Savior is able to conquer even death.

Without even the presence of faith Jesus gave this woman back her son.

He will give our loved ones back to us and us to them, and forever we shall live together in His presence.

4. He that overcomes death deserves our worship.

May I suggest to you that a brush with death will cause us to reexamine our priorities?

Because death could not keep Jesus in the grave we can have the same confidence that the apostle Paul expressed.

Do you believe that those who believe in Him will never die If so what have you done about it?

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

Sermon Audio: Amazing Faith
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 7:1-10
Duration: 21:22
Size: 9.78 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Amazing Faith
Luke 7:1-10

Our text today about a Roman soldier’s faith takes us inside true faith and shows how and what faith does.

What are characteristics that made this man’s faith so amazing?

1. The first characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to love across all barriers.

This man loved people who were not just like himself.

2. The second characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to be excited and active in the work of God.

He enthusiastically involved himself in what was the most apparent work that God was doing.

What is it that God is doing that you are excited about, that matters to you, that you are enthusiastically giving yourself to?

3. The third characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to approach Christ in great humility.

This passage reveals two essential components of the Christian faith – an understanding of who Christ is and an understanding of who we are.

This Roman soldier a man of considerable influence and power, was also uniquely humble.

4. The fourth characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to be willing to trust in Christ alone.

Jesus promised a special blessing on people like the centurion and you.

Some think that an amazing faith is the ability to do the miraculous, but miracles are something that Jesus can do any time.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:44 — 11.3MB)

Sermon Audio: The Life of a True Disciple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:39-49
Duration: 24:44
Size: 11.3 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Life of a True Disciple
Luke 6:39-49

Seven great principles for a true disciple to remember.

1. We must be sure that we see clearly enough to guide others in their spiritual walk.

2. We cannot lead others where we have not been.

3. We must be sure that there is nothing that clouds our vision, before we attempt to help our brother.

4. The fruit is always true to character.

5. What comes out of the lips depends on what is inside the heart.

6. Obedience is the final test of Commitment.

7. A Building Is Only As Sound As the Foundation it is Built On. (vv. 47-49)

Coming
Obviously true discipleship begins by coming to Christ.

Hearing
We have to understand that really listening requires discipline.

1. Come prepared to listen. The will to concentrate is fundamental.
2. Keep your Bible open to the text and turn to the other passages that are cited.
3. Take notes, true hearing requires reflection and application.

Doing
Every time we really hear the Word of God and are genuinely moved, we must resolve to act upon it.

Everyone chooses in life the foundation that they will build their lives upon.

It was the storm that revealed the difference.

Every person is building a life, and the question is, “Does it have a proper foundation?”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:48 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Love Your Enemies
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:27-38
Duration: 27:48
Size: 12.7 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Love Your Enemies
Luke 6:27-38

The truth is that we as a society think often about revenge.

This message will have application to everyone present today because, difficult people are problem for everyone.

1. True Disciples Are to Love Their Enemies

Jesus says that for a believer to refrain from hating his enemy is not enough.

The word bless is a contraction of two Greek words Eu – good and logos word meaning that we have a good word for those who do not have a good word for us.

Jesus himself modeled this when after he had been mocked, beat and nail to a rough cross, he prayed “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

If we are truly living as Christ has dictated then we are not going to be worried about what we are going to get out of the deal.

2. True Disciples are to refrain from retaliation

But what Jesus was calling for was a new standard of conduct for his disciples.

3. True Disciples are to live by the Golden Rule

Jesus very clearly says to his disciples, “Treat all men, but especially your enemies, the way you would like to be treated.”

4. True Disciples are to avoid a Judgmental Spirit

Somehow judgmental people seek to lessen their own guilt by judging the sins of others.

Conclusion:

In fact, we cannot love our enemies in our own strength, but it can be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

Sermon Audio: How To Live Successfully
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:17-26
Duration: 18:17
Size: 8.37 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
How To Live Successfully
Luke 6:17-26

This should be a great encouragement to us, if God could use these men as disciples, He can use us.

Those who follow Jesus must operate under a set of values different from and often opposite of that of the world.

1. Beware of setting your sights too low.

There is nothing innately righteous about being poor, nor is there any automatic evil in being rich.

2. Beware of settling for too little.

The Old Testament does directly equate blessing with physical hunger, but it does commend a different kind of hunger.

3. Beware of what you laugh at.

We are called to weep over lost souls, people who will go into eternal darkness without Christ.

4. Beware of seeking the world’s approval.

The sad truth is that many Christians are persecuted not for the sake of their faith but simply because they are so unpleasant.

Popularity contests are not truth contests; Your task is to be true, not popular.

They learned along the way that taking up the Cross was part of the package, that receiving life also included the relinquishing of life.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:27 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: The Twelve Apostles
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:12-16
Duration: 20:27
Size: 9.36 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Twelve Apostles
Luke 6:12-16

Jesus decided that it was time to choose twelve men whom he could equip to carry on his mission after his departure.

I. The Preparation for Jesus’ Choice

Luke did not specifically state that Jesus prayed; it is likely that he assumed his readers would know this.

Jesus’ choice of twelve men was critical to the success of his mission. Therefore, all night he continued in prayer to God.

If Jesus, the sinless Son of God, spent time in prayer, thus demonstrating his total dependence upon God, then so do we.

II. The Purpose of Jesus’ Choice

Jesus was the teacher and those who put his teaching into practice were his disciples.

The twelve, whom Jesus named apostles, were going to be sent by Jesus to represent him in proclaiming the good news of the gospel to all nations.

Just as Jesus called each apostle to serve him as an apostle, Jesus also calls every Christian to some form of service.

III. The Persons of Jesus’ Choice

This group of men formed the nucleus of Jesus’ ministry team. They were a diverse group of ordinary men.

All of them, with the exception of John, died a martyr’s death in their faithful service to Jesus.

Today, Jesus calls us to be his disciples. He calls us to proclaim to the world that he is still seeking and saving the lost.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:47 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: He Is Lord Of All
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:1-11
Duration: 22:47
Size: 10.4 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
He Is Lord Of All
Luke 6:1-11

Worship is a means of feeding the soul, there are different ways of doing that, just as there are different ways of feeding the body.

In the text today we see a great confrontation between Jesus with his radical views of worship and the Pharisees and Scribes.

The Sabbath speaks of rest after work and relates to the law, while the Lord’s Day speaks of rest before work and relates to grace.

The Pharisees and scribes turned the Sabbath into a burden instead of the blessing that God intended it to be.

1. Not breaking the law is not the same as being a good moral person.

The fact is that there are many crimes that are not sins and there are many sins that are not crimes.

2. Not doing good is worse than not doing bad.

They knew that Jesus had a compassionate heart and they wanted to goad Him into performing a healing on the Sabbath.

God did not give His laws in order to deprive men of their pleasure but to keep them from harm.

Surely now they would be moved to believe, not so for Luke closes allowing us a glimpse of into the soul of the Pharisees.

The Sabbath was made for us; it is a day we can use to enjoy God and the blessings he has given us.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:39 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Calling Sinners Home
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 5:27-39
Duration: 24:39
Size: 11.2 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Calling Sinners Home
Luke 5:27-39

Is it possible to get so busy doing churchy things that we forget our purpose for existence.

It is too easy for Christian believers to forget that they are sinners – yes forgiven, but still, in themselves, weak and vulnerable.

The Church is not a Country Club but a life saving station.

1. Jesus offers real forgiveness for real guilt.

Perhaps of all the people in Capernaum, Levi was the most publicly unacceptable candidate to be a disciple of Jesus.

For Levi, following Jesus was a substantial sacrifice, if this venture was a failure he could not go back.

2. Those who are truly saved do not want to go to heaven alone.

The occasion gave him the opportunity to explain his decision and more importantly to introduce his friends to Jesus, and let them learn for themselves what kind of Person could have produced such a dramatic change in Levi’s life.

The questions for today are: “What kind of picture are you giving of being a Christian?” and “Are you content to go to heaven alone?”

3. The only ones who can be saved are those who realize that they are lost.

The first step toward healing the sin sickness is admitting that we have a need and that we cannot heal ourselves.

4. There is joy in the service of the Lord.

To the Pharisees spirituality consisted of doing things you do not want to do, and refraining from things that you do want to do.

There is power in the gospel that demands a new container. The church became that new container.

Unfortunately the church of today, can become so busy doing good things that we forget that have been left here with a commission.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:27 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 5:17-26
Duration: 26:27
Size: 12.1 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Luke 5:17-26

What would you be willing to do for that sum of money?

The Crowd.

Crowds were pressing around him constantly, and this day things were no different, except for who was in this crowd.

The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law weren’t there to learn from Jesus, they were there to catch Jesus in a mistake.

But there’s a fine line between a teachable Christian spirit and being a prideful self appointed watchdog of the truth.

The Crisis.

If your best friend or…son…was paralyzed, what lengths would you go to in order to get them healed?

They were just going to have to go through the roof.

The Cure.

However bad we have it physically, the bigger picture is the spiritual aspect.

In a short time after Jesus’ death, the whole Roman Empire became Christian.

The Criticism.

For this very unteachable crowd…it was gonna be the most teachable moment of the night.

He is either God’s son, or you can’t believe Him at all. He very…intentionally leaves us no middle ground.

While the Pharisees and teachers were still thinking about which part is harder, forgiving sins or healing a paralyzed man, He has done both!

Jesus has left us with miraculous evidence…but we have to show it. We have to be intentional.