Tag: Val Watkins

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.