Posts

Posted on

2011-10-02: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iServe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:50 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iServe
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 22:24-27
Duration: 23:50
Size: 10.9 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iServe
Luke 22:24-27

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Music has a way of changing our lives.

Our Text this morning tells us about 12 men who aren’t into sharing.

Matthew 20:25-28

In other words – if you want to be great in the Kingdom of God you’ve got be a servant.

Luke 22:19-20

This all took place at the Last Supper… the template for our observance of Communion time.

John 13:8
John 13:14
Acts 20:7

You can take communion all by yourself but Jesus designed communion to be a time when we would “come together” and eat this meal along with other Christian brothers and sisters.

Ephesians 5:21

Servanthood lies at the heart of who we are as Christians. And communion reinforces this for us.

I Corinthians 11:17
I Corinthians 11:20-30

It’s a time when we’re reminded that Jesus gave us a powerful example of servanthood.

And when we finally get communion right… it’s a time when we learn to love each other so much that we really want to be servants of one another.

Next Week
iLive
Romans 6:3-23

Posted on

2011-09-25: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iGive

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:15 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iGive
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 4:15-37
Duration: 25:15
Size: 11.5 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iGive
Acts 4:15-37

If you want something badly enough… you’ll find a way to get it.

They’re questioned, threatened, and commanded not to preach about Jesus anymore.

Acts 4:19
Acts 4:31

Now all these people were part of an exciting body of believers… and nobody wanted to go home.

Acts 4:34-35

Communism and Socialism are man-made attempts to remedy the abuses of capitalism.

They held all things in common because they wanted to.

Acts 5:4

They sinned because they lied about their donation in order to manipulate the church into giving them the praise everyone else got.

Acts 4:19-20

In other words: you can do what you like… but we’re going to put God first.

Leviticus 19:10
Proverbs 14:31
Proverbs 19:17

In fasting, His people can set aside the money they would have spent on food and give that to the poor.

Isaiah 58:7-8

I noticed in this passage that the early church gave themselves to prayer.

Acts 4:31
Acts 4:32

I think their prayerfulness led to their giving hearts.

They gave to the church to help the poor because they wanted to take care of the poor among them so badly… they found a way to get it done.

Next Week
iServe
Luke 2:24-27

Posted on

2011-09-18: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iSurrender

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:39 — )

Sermon: iTruths For an iPod Generation – iSurrender
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: James 4:1-10
Duration: 23:39
Size: 10.8 MB

iTruths For an iPod Generation
iSurrender
James 4:1-10

The things of this world might keep you entertained, but they can’t give true satisfaction.

James 4:1-2

If you have God… what else could you possibly need?

James 4:4-9

If you want God… there’s a price to be paid:

Matthew 16:24

In order to obtain the satisfaction God wants to give you and I, we need to transform ourselves into little “i”s.

Only Jesus says: “Deny yourself…” deny yourself… deny yourself.

Essentially, James is telling us that when those emotions take over – it means WE have taken over. Our pride has been offended… and we’ve forgotten God.

How would you deal with it if someone did that to you… would you be angry?

Genesis 50:16-21

Joseph had the power… he had the opportunity… to exact his just revenge. But he refused to do that.

Matthew 5:5

Because of his meekness and his humility – God lifted Joseph up and gave him a great inheritance.

Romans 8:28

God is telling us that if we let Him be in control; if we look to Him for our total satisfaction in life; if we come to Him and humble ourselves before Him… He will make all things work together for Good in our lives.

Socrates said: “Know yourself”
The psychiatrist says: “Express yourself”
Many Counselors will say: “Love yourself”
The hedonist says: “Enjoy Yourself”
The waiter will tell you: “Indulge yourself”
The Personnel manager advises you: “Assert yourself”
Health aid companies advertise: “Take care of yourself”
Leisure time industries will tell you: “Pamper yourselves”

Only Jesus says: “Deny yourself”

Next Week
iGive
Acts 4:15-37

Posted on

2011-09-11: Grandparent’s Legacy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:27 — 10.7MB)

Sermon: Grandparent’s Legacy
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 23:27
Size: 10.7 MB

Grandparent’s Legacy
Grandparent’s Day Message
Genesis 5:21-32

Genesis 6:8-9
Hebrews 11:5

#1 Noah was a righteous man in a totally corrupt age.
Ezekiel 14:13-14
Genesis 6:5-7
II Corinthians 6:16-18

#2 Noah followed God’s instructions exactly.
Genesis 6:14-16
Genesis 6:22
Genesis 11:10
Hebrews 11:5-8
Hebrews 11:8
Hebrews 11:17
Hebrews 11:11

#3 Noah totally submitted his life to God.
Hebrews 11:7
Genesis 7:16
Genesis 7:15
Genesis 2:5-6

Posted on

2011-09-04: God & Work – A Labor Day Message

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:55 — )

Sermon: God & Work – A Labor Day Message
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 17:55
Size: 8.20 MB

God & Work – A Labor Day Message

I Thessalonians 4:11
II Thessalonians 3:10-12

#1 God has always honored and provided work.

Genesis 2:2
Genesis 2:15
Luke 2:8
Mark 6:3
Luke 10:7
Genesis 3:17-19

#2 The American work system is not the Christian way.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Ephesians 4:28

#3 The Christian does the best we can for others.

Colossians 3:22-24
Matthew 7:12

Posted on

2011-08-28: Get Your Feet Wet

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:06 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:29
Duration: 22:06
Size: 10.1 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
Matthew 14:29

The purpose for these kinds of moments is to help us live through and overcome, in Jesus’ name and power, those moments of fear and uncertainty, and break through to a higher level of faith and confidence in the Lord and through the Lord.

Then, at some point, he had this powerful moment when from deep within himself, Peter heard himself utter, Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you.

“Where is God calling you to walk on the water?”
John Ortberg

Four indicators God is calling you to “get out of the boat”

1. Fear

This is the easiest indicator for Peter to get out of the boat, he was afraid of going down with it!

What fear are you experiencing that might be a sign that God wants you to get out of the boat and take a step of great faith to overcome that fear that is blocking your path?

2. Frustration

Maybe you are frustrated about a situation and you are not sure you can take much more.

Is there an area of frustration you have that might be God’s way of getting your out of your boat?

3. Compassion

Many people experience a compassion that comes out of a frustration that ‘something is not right’ and it leads them to compassionate acts.

What moves you to compassion? What breaks your heart? Who breaks your heart?

4. Prayer

It is often during boat rocking, storm surging, wave crashing, moments that we get on our knees, bury ourselves in our Heavenly Father’s lap, and find the strength and the will to get up and get out of the boat and walk toward the Lord.

Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world!

Where does some change need to take place in your life so that you will respond, by faith, to Jesus’ call to get out of your boat, your place of comfort, and go to Him and follow Him?

Posted on

2011-08-21: Get Your Feet Wet – Progress Not Perfection

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:41 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet – Progress Not Perfection
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:30-31
Duration: 26:41
Size: 12.2 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
Progress Not Perfection
Matthew 14:30-31

Whether or not storms come, we cannot choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.
-Max Lucado

“The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.”

These moments of fear are just moments, significant to be sure, but just moments that will form part of their historic memory and vital message of the Christian Gospel in the decades, and for us, centuries ahead.

Can’t we also look back and see the progress that we have made in our own faith journey through what now we see were “getting out of the boat” moments.

Those who take bold chances don’t think failure is the opposite of success. They believe complacency is.

1. Choose to learn from failure.

To face our own failure, not so-and-so’s failure, my failure requires a strength of character and will that, only comes as we surrender our will to God’s and choose to learn.

But to overcome; to learn from our failures, requires us to make the choice to learn.

2. Cultivate hope.

As followers of Christ, expressing hope not naïve optimism, is critical these days, though our anxieties and fears loom large.

Hope believes that there are greater things ahead in the midst of the storms and fear.

3. Get back up.

He stopped literally living in the mud and dirt, got back up and started for home.

There will be more moments in which you are challenged to get out of the boat. But for now, you need to be rescued.

Next week
Get Your Feet Wet
Matthew 14:29

Posted on

2011-08-14: Get Your Feet Wet – Is That Your Final Answer?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:22 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet – Is That Your Final Answer?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:28-29
Duration: 20:22
Size: 9.32 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
Is That Your Final Answer?
Matthew 14:28-29

The main point of this sermon series is to face and deal with, with God’s help, our fears that hold us back from taking the next steps with the Lord.

Matthew 14:28-29

So far, we have learned that:

  • Jesus calls us to get out of the boat, that is our place of security and comfort, in order to grow in our faith.
  • Fear is a big wall that we must over come, by faith and trust in Christ.
  • That God, if we wait and intently look for Him, comes to us in the midst of our life storms; our life fears.

Saying yes to God is not a misguided calculation that creates unnecessary anxiety but a confident trust in God’s ability to help us get out of our own boats and onto the water and move forward.

Therefore, when it comes to making a “getting out of the boat” decision, our final answer is our choice of believing, trusting, and then acting on that belief and trust, or not.

Joshua 3:14-17

Fear, worry, and anxiety pops up at the slight bump in the road, doesn’t it?

We don’t like to get wet, do we? It is inconvenient and it is a nuisance.

There comes a point (many points) when we have to make a final decision; a final answer – believe or disbelieve.

Where are you feeling the pinch and pressure of “your final answer” at work, At school, At home, With finances, With a relationship?

Next week
Progress Not Perfection
Matthew 14:30-31

Posted on

2011-08-07: Get Your Feet Wet – I Will Be With You

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:22 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet – I Will Be With You
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:23-24,27
Duration: 25:22
Size: 11.6 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
I Will Be With You
Matthew 14:23-24,27

There are differing amounts of details but one common theme to the story – the assurance of Jesus that He is present.

Two things to remember this morning:

1. Although He often seems absent God is never far away.
2. Jesus is with us in the fears and anxieties of life but sometimes it takes time to see Him there.

Six Practices: Developing the ability to see Jesus through a clear inner vision.

1. An active and sustained prayer life

One other thing, prayer should be the first thing we do when we encounter storms and waves, not the last.

2. Daily Bible reading

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” – Psalm 119:9

3. Honest worship

Worship is to Him and not us nor our circumstances, but to Him and Him alone!

4. Accountable relationships

When we face down our fears, a good friend can help us with our blind spots, especially in a storm!

5. Regular confession

Confession is good for the soul and for our sight!

6. Unqualified obedience

To follow Jesus is just plain hard sometimes.

The six practices I have just listed are the foundation upon which trust, the kind spoken of in the passage I just read, keeps us steady in the midst of the storm and its fears and anxieties.

What are three things that you can do to start (today) making some new progress with this practice?

1.

2.

3.

Now you have a simple starting plan to help you further develop your faith and trust in the Lord. Begin it…now!

Next week
Is That Your Final Answer?
Matthew 14:28-29

Posted on

2011-07-31: Get Your Feet Wet – The Wall Called Fear

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:58 — )

Sermon: Get Your Feet Wet – The Wall Called Fear
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 14:26
Duration: 25:58
Size: 11.8 MB

Get Your Feet Wet
The Wall Called Fear
Matthew 14:26

Fear is sometimes an unexpected wall that comes across our path from time to time and when it does, we have a decision to make.

The thing about our boats is that they easily become our security rather than the Lord being our security.

We don’t have to be in a boat, during a “ghost seeing” storm, to scream out in terror or frustration or pain or fear.

Why do we expect Jesus to show up only in the nice quiet times and not in the earth shattering, emotionally impacting loudness of life?

One of the greatest fears we have is the fear of change – planned and unplanned.

How helpful has all the worrying you have done, been in your life? Has it helped to accomplish anything, other than giving you an ulcer?

“Sometimes we fear situations and problems in life because we unconsciously regard them as bigger than our God.”
Avery T. Willis Jr. and Matt Willis

Next week
I Will Be With You
Matthew 14:23-24,27