Tag: Sermon

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:14 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: The Narrow Door
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:22-30
Duration: 19:14
Size: 8.80 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Narrow Door
Luke 13:22-30

This message is for those of you who have read and sung and listened to people talk about Jesus for years without meeting him personally.

But then Jesus came along and taught over and over that God the Father offered salvation by grace through faith in him as the promised Savior.

1. No One Gets To Heaven Accidentally

If heaven is a free gift, then what are you striving for?

2. The Road to Heaven Is Narrow

The narrow door as I understand it in this text is Jesus Christ, who is the only means of eternal salvation, the only way of entering the kingdom of God.

Many people think they are going to heaven but they have not admitted that they are sinners, they have not turned in repentance and trusted in Jesus alone for salvation.

Some will miss out because they have a false view of the nature of God.

3. Not Everyone Is Going to Heaven

There is coming a day when the wonderful invitation of salvation will be over.

4. Missing Heaven Will Be An Eternal Torment

Contrary to the popular belief there will be no sinful party in hell with all your other rowdy friends.

God saves people who have entered into a personal relationship with him through faith and repentance.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:37 — 1.0MB)

Sermon Audio: Do You Have a Mustard Seed or Yeast?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:18-21
Duration: 24:37
Size: 11.2 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Do You Have a Mustard Seed or Yeast?
Luke 13:18-21

We remember the big achievements, but give very little consideration to the small things that are done.

The ways we could express this type of rebuke are endless, but the meaning is the same – What you are doing for God is not acceptable.

The first picture he presents is that of a mustard seed which is planted and grows into a tree.

Success in God’s hand does not depend on the initial starting size but on whether it is done for God.

The second picture that Jesus gives to his audience in the picture of yeast.

Your actions, though they be small and insignificant or not valued by others, if they are done for God and his kingdom, can have an impact that is wide spread.

God doesn’t care about the size of the offering you make, but he does care that you are seeking to make a difference in other’s lives.

Whatever you do whether big or small, do it in his name and for his glory and allow God to bring something great from it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:30 — 9.4MB)

Sermon Audio: Feeling the Weight of the World
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:10-17
Duration: 20:30
Size: 9.38 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Feeling the Weight of the World
Luke 13:10-17

Our Scripture Passage for this morning is a story of restoration and health, in the face of a system that seems bound and determined to keep oppressed people where they are.

Have you ever felt so low about yourself that all you could muster-up the strength to do was to look at your feet on the ground?

It’s interesting. Jesus always notices those on the margins. Jesus always notices the castaways.

When she could finally straighten up her back, what she saw must have been clear: the religious institution was bent over and suffering under the weight of its own laws.

So Jesus says to the religious folk, who are angry at Jesus for breaking the Sabbath Law, that love and taking care of other people trumps the Law every time.

But the religious leaders’ insistence on rigid laws and following them to a tee—no matter who they hurt along the way—keeps them from being healed.

They look wise with this self-made religion and their self-denial by the harsh treatment of the body, but they are no help

As is so often the case, when we legalistically insist on the letter of the Law, the needs of others are overlooked. By holding to standard operating procedures, the “royal law of love” gets pinned to the mat.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:32 — 7.1MB)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:37 — 9.0MB)

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: 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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:39 — 1.0MB)

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!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:36 — 1.0MB)

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.