Tag: Val Watkins

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2011-05-29: Precious & Magnificent Moments – Confirm Your Election

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:34 — )

Sermon: Precious & Magnificent Moments – Confirm Your Election
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Peter 1:5-11
Duration: 25:34
Size: 11.7 MB

Precious & Magnificent Moments
Confirm Your Election
II Peter 1:5-11

Our goal is: life and godliness, the source of strength to become godly is divine power, and the activating connection between the goal of godliness and the source of divine power is knowing and trusting the promises of God.

I. The Logic of Godliness

Since God has given power for godliness, strive to become godly!

True Christians do not stop pursuing growth in grace. They go on. They advance.

II. Don’t Float, Swim Hard

We must strive even to stand still, the tide of temptation is so strong.

If the knowledge of God’s glorious promises does not spur us on to strive against the tide, then we will be barren and fruitless and drift to our destruction.

III. The Consequence of Not Swimming

The problem with the person who does not strive toward all the fruit of faith is that he is blind in two directions, the future and the past.

The assumption is that the whole world lies under the righteous judgment of God because of sin. But because of His great mercy, God ordained that a people for his own be saved by grace.

IV. Sanctification and Assurance

The confirmation of your election is your progress in sanctification.

Therefore, the Word of God warns us against being lazy in our faith and drifting away from Jesus Christ our only hope.

Next Week
Listen to the Eyewitness of His Majesty
II Peter 1:12-19

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2011-05-22: Precious & Magnificent Moments – Liberating Promises

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:04 — )

Sermon: Precious & Magnificent Moments – Liberating Promises
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: II Peter 1:1-4
Duration: 30:04
Size: 13.7 MB

Precious & Magnificent Moments
Liberating Promises
II Peter 1:1-4

I believe that if we saturate our minds and hearts with the glory and excellence of God in the Scriptures, there will one day come an explosion at Richmond Community Church:

I. Peter: Servant and Apostle

But Peter is not eager to flaunt this authority. “Apostle” comes second, not first.

What is most important in anyone’s life is their faith, and on that score Peter is on a level plane with the church.

Peter does have authority, but he bends over backward to meet them as a brother and serve them, rather than lord it over them.

II. Peter’s Greeting

He pictures grace and peace as something that comes to us from God.

If you want to enjoy God’s peace and be the aroma of his grace in the world, your knowledge of him has to grow.

A. The Goal – Life and Godliness

First, Peter is aiming at two things: eternal life and godliness; moral and spiritual transformation now, and hope for life in the age to come.

The hope of life and the way of godliness stand or fall together.

B. The Source – Divine Power

Second, the way of godliness and the hope of eternal life do not lie within our own power to produce or attain.

The Christian faith is not merely a set of doctrines to be accepted. It is a power to be experienced.

God’s grace is a free power that works in us for our good.

C. The Means – Knowledge of God

The knowledge that leads to life and godliness is said to be the knowledge of God’s precious and very great promises.

Very practically, I think this means we must day-by-day go to the Word of God and search for great promises.

III. Conclusion

We can sum up these first four verses of II Peter with four words: power, promises, practice, and prospect.

God’s divine power (v. 3) flows into our lives when we know (v. 2) and trust (v. 1) his precious and very great promises (v. 4). And this power flowing through these promises produces practice of godliness (v. 3) and the prospect of life eternal (v. 3).

Next Week
Confirm Your Election
II Peter 1:5-11

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2011-04-24: He Must Reign

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:46 — )

Sermon: He Must Reign
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 24:46
Size: 11.3 MB

He Must Reign
I Corinthians 15:20-28

“Closed”

One of the most heart-wrenching words in human language is the word “closed.”

OPEN

I want us to ponder together four things about this reign, all of them under the heading of OPEN—the opposite of closed—OPEN.

Therefore, I urge you this morning to write in capital letters over every closed door in your life OPEN.

1. “O” – The OPENING of the Reign of Christ

The Resurrection Introduces Three New Elements

  1. He has taken humanity onto himself which he never had before
  2. As the God-man he has now been openly declared to be the Messiah, the Christ.
  3. His reign now is based on his finished work of redemption for the forgiveness of sins on the cross.

The OPENING of the reign of Christ was his resurrection from the dead.

2. “P” – the PRESENCE of the Reign of Christ

So when Paul says Jesus must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet, you know two things: he is reigning now, and he is reigning to win.

Christ is reigning now. Not just in the past. Not just in the future.

3. “E” – the EXTENT of the Reign of Christ

The encouragement in that is that when you set yourself to do battle with the enemies of your faith and your holiness, you will not fight alone.

4. “N” – The NECESSITY of the Reign of Christ

  1. That the Son uses his authority to redeem a people for himself, from every tribe and tongue and nation.
  2. That he defeat the enemies of God.
  3. That he draws all attention—all glory—back to the Father.

Write Christ’s Reign Over Every Closed Door

  • Opened at the resurrection.
  • Present in power here and now.
  • Extending over every enemy of his glory and of our joy.
  • And as Necessary as the all permeating deity of God.
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2011-04-17: Hosanna / The Gallows and the Gift of Life

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:11 — 12.9MB)

Sermon: Hosanna / The Gallows and the Gift of Life
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 28:11
Size: 12.9 MB

Hosanna
Psalm Sunday 2011
John 12:13

The English translated word “hosanna” comes from the Greek ὡσαννά, hōsanná. They just used the letters to make the sound of a Greek word.

The Greek translated word “hōsanná” comes from the Hebrew הושיעה־נא, hôšî‘â-nā’. They just used the letters to make the sound of a Hebrew phrase.

Our English word hosanna comes from a Greek work hosanna (hōsanná), which comes from a Hebrew phrase hoshiya na (hôšî‘â-nā’).

Psalm 118:25-26

The cry for help, hoshiya na, was answered almost before it came out of the psalmist’s mouth.

It used to mean, “Save, please!” But gradually, it came to mean “Salvation! Salvation! Salvation has come!”

So when we sing “Hosanna” now, let’s make it very personal. Let’s make it our praise and our confidence.

The Gallows and the Gift of Life
Palm Sunday 2011

Mark 8:34-38
Galatians 6:14
Hebrews 13:12-14

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2010-12-05: All I Want For Christmas Is…Peace

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:11 — )

Sermon: All I Want For Christmas Is…Peace
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:14, Isaiah 61:1
Duration: 30:11
Size: 13.8 MB

All I Want For Christmas Is…Peace
Advent 2010 Week 2

1. Joseph was born in what town?

A. Jerusalem
B. Bethlehem
C. Nazareth
D. Portland

2. Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?

A. Caesar
B. Herod
C. Mary’s mom
D. No one

3. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?

A. “There is no room in the inn”
B. “I have a stable you can use”
C. None of the above
D. Both of the above

4. How did Joseph and Mary get to Bethlehem?

A. Colt
B. Mary rode a donkey and Joseph walked
C. Wagon
D. Who knows?

5. The wise men met Jesus in a:

A. Manger
B. Castle
C. Stable
D. House

6. How many angels spoke to the shepherds?

A. Three
B. A multitude
C. A whole host
D. One

7. What song did the angels sing?

A. “Joy to the world”
B. “Glory to the newborn King”
C. “Glory to God in the highest”
D. None of the above

I. Old Testament Peace – Shalom

Numbers 6:24-26
Isaiah 61:1
Psalm 147:3
Psalm 34:18

II. New Testament Peace – To set as one again

1. Peace with God

That’s the vertical dimension.

While God loves us and cherishes us, He is filled with indignation because of our sinfulness.

We don’t deserve this peace to men on whom His favor rests.

Jesus is the good news of great joy for all the people.

Romans 1:18
Romans 5:1
Colossians 1:20
Isaiah 57:19

2. Peace of God

This takes place internally.

We will experience this peace in proportion to the room we give the Holy Spirit in our lives.

John 14:27
Luke 1:79

3. Peace with others

That’s peace horizontally.

Determine right now to be a planter of peace not a sower of strife.

Matthew 5:9
Romans 14:19

4. Peace for others

This is the proclamation of the peace in the Gospel.

The only way for people to have peace with God, to have peace inside, and to be at peace with others, is for people like us to tell them about the gospel of peace.

Acts 10:36

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2010-11-28: All I Want For Christmas Is…Hope

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:10 — )

Sermon: All I Want For Christmas Is…Hope
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 27:10
Size: 12.4 MB

All I Want For Christmas Is…Hope
Advent 2010 Week 1

Is Christmas all about baking? Or is it wrapped up in football and food? Or is it all about shopping?

I. Definition of Hope

Hope is not only hard to find, it’s difficult to define.

Hope is a future certainty grounded in a present reality.

Hope is wishing for what God has already promised us.

In the Old Testament it means “to bind together, often by twisting.”

Hold on to the rope of hope when it’s hard to cope.

II. Dimensions of Hope

By its very definition hope is something that is invisible.

II Corinthians 4:18
Romans 8:24-25

When your grip begins to slip, hold on to…

1. Past Promises

Isaiah 64:1

2. Present Help

Psalm 46:1
Lamentations 3:25

3. Future Glory

I Corinthians 15:19
Galatians 5:5
Titus 2:13

III. Decisions for Hope

If you want to cope then hold on to the rope of hope then wrap yourself in these three things.

1. Get wrapped up in Scripture.

Romans 15:4

2. Get wrapped up in the Savior.

Jesus is the Savior.
Matthew 1:21
Colossians 1:27

3. Get wrapped up in salvation.

A. Admit your sinfulness.
B. Ask for help.
C. Accept Christ as your Savior.

Today can be the day that you change as well by making Christmas personal.

Jesus, I admit that not only do I have little hope but I have a lot of garbage in my life. I own my own sinfulness and recognize that you desire to wrap yourself around me today. I want you to be my Saviour. Please save me from my sins. I need your help. Thank you for coming to our world on Christmas. And then for dying in my place on the cross to forgive me for my sins and to give me the hope of heaven. I believe and I receive you into my life I accept your free gift o salvation. If there’s anything in my life that needs to change please change me.

Welcome Him to your world.

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2010-11-14: The True Grace of God

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:24 — )

Sermon: The True Grace of God
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 27:24
Size: 12.5 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“The True Grace of God”
1 Peter 5:8-14

I. Which Grace?

Grace should neither be a license to sin, nor a foundation for trying to establish our own right-standing before God, based on our good works.

Peter has not only given us a kind of purpose statement or summary statement for the whole letter, but he tells us that what is contained in this letter is, in fact, “the true grace of God”.

II. The Passage: “Standing Firm in the Faith” (5:8-11)

Let’s use three key phrases from verses 8-11 as a means of rewinding back to the beginning of the book, and then forward to pick up one of three main themes.

A. “Be Sober-Minded”: True Grace Results in Living in God’s Holiness (5:8-9a)

Don’t fall into that stupor of living for what will not last and for what ultimately doesn’t matter.

If you have received the true grace of God, are you striving by that grace to live a new life that is all

B. “The Same Kinds of Sufferings”: True Grace Reveals God’s Purpose in Our Suffering (5:9b)

I think our tendency is to believe that the grace of God somehow frees us from pain and suffering in this life.

This kind of purposeful suffering was not only being used by God to test and refine their faith.

The true grace of God reminded them that this path of suffering was taking them exactly where God wanted them to go.

C. “His Eternal Glory in Christ”: True Grace [Continually] Redirects Us to God’s Salvation in Christ (5:10-11)

The only reason Peter can exhort his readers the way he does is because of the radical reality of what Jesus has done.

It was the radical reality of what Jesus had done and would do in accomplishing true salvation that Peter uses to comfort and motivate his readers.

III. Peter’s Closing Remarks (5:12-14)

First, as tensions outside the church translated to tensions inside the church, Peter reminds them of the custom of greeting one another with a kiss that expresses God’s love.

Second, he asks that, in the midst of all the chaos they were enduring, that God’s perfect peace would be theirs.

IV. Your New Life in the Same Old Place

As we leave this book, our prayer should be that God would never let it leave our hearts and minds.

You have been chosen by God in grace, and because of that, you are now an alien in this world system that has turned away from God.

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2010-11-07: Let Go and Let God

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:25 — )

Sermon: Let Go and Let God
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 28:25
Size: 13.0 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Let Go and Let God”
1 Peter 5:5-7

I. The Passage: “Clothe Yourselves…with Humility” (5:5-7)

There is a common thread weaving its way through all three of these verses. It’s the thread of humility.

A. Humility toward the Elders (5:5a)

These leaders were not always older in a chronological sense, but they were typically older, or more mature, spiritually.

Peter is calling the other members of these churches to submit themselves in humility to their leaders.

B. Humility toward One Another (5:5b)

So a rough translation straight from the original language would read, “All of you, toward one another, humility, tie around you as a servant’s apron.”

Have you tied humility around your waist this morning when it comes to your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

C. Humility toward God (5:6)

No, genuine humility can only come from one place: it can only come from a right view of who God is and our relationship to Him!

You cannot be truly humble unless you measure yourself by who God is and what God wants.

II. God-Centered Humility (5:7)

What’s strange about this connection is that it implies a relationship between humility and the casting off of anxiety; the unloading of our worries.

Pride is confidence that we have this kind of power. Anxiety is fear that we might lose or can’t have this kind of power.

First, we can “let go and let God” because we can trust that God’s grace will empower us to do so.

Second, we can “let go and let God” because we can trust that God’s hand is truly mighty.

Third, we can “let go and let God” because we can trust that God really cares about us.

The humility to which Peter calls his overwhelmed readers is a humility motivated by faith that God is mighty, and mighty in His concern for our absolute good.

We know for certain that the shoulders of God are able to bear all of our anxieties because those same shoulders bore all of our sin on the cross.

Next Week
“The True Grace Of God”
1 Peter 5:8-14

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2010-10-31: The Chief Shepherd’s Shepherds

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:24 — )

Sermon: The Chief Shepherd’s Shepherds
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 28:24
Size: 13.0 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“The Chief Shepherd’s Shepherds”
1 Peter 5:1-4

I. A Leader by Any Other Name

Is it any wonder that most people are confused about the specifics of church leadership, or what is often called church government or church polity?

A. What is an Elder?

Now the word for elder here is the word, presbuteros. It literally means, someone who is older.

The emphasis here is not on physical maturity, but spiritual maturity.

1. An Elder is an Overseer, Ministering (Shepherd)

So shepherd or pastor is simply another title for an elder. An elder is one who shepherds God’s flock.

And so here, an elder is also called an overseer.

2. An Elder May Be Worthy of a “Double Honor”

While there is no difference between an elder and a pastor and an overseer, we do find a distinction among elders.

This “double honor” simply means that they can devote more time to the work.

3. An Elder is Part of the Body, Not Over It

Elders who lead and teach are not any better than any other part of the body. They simply have a different role.

B. What is Peter’s Exhortation?

An exhortation is simply a strong encouragement to action.

1. Shepherd from a Willing Heart (5:2)

This makes their service a joy, not a chore.

2. Shepherd with Eagerness (5:2)

He should not only give his permission, but also his passion to the work.

3. Shepherd by Example (5:3)

God’s leaders are always servant leaders who follow the lead of Jesus, so that others will by led to serve Christ and others in His name.

C. What if You’re Not an Elder?

All of this means that in God’s economy, all of us desperately need the shepherding that God wants to provide for us through the men and women he has called as leaders.

1. Pray for Them

2. Encourage Them

3. Follow Their Lead

II. The Care of the Chief Shepherd

They have no function or authority or position apart from the Chief Shepherd.

Pray for His under-shepherds; encourage them; follow their lead as they follow Jesus’ lead.

Next Week
“Let Go And Let God”
1 Peter 5:5-7