Richmond Community Church

Sermon Audio: The Cost Of Being A Disciple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:23-27
Duration: 25:44
Size: 11.7 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Foretells His Death
Luke 9:23-27

There is a cost to being a disciple of Christ, a cost that most people do not understand.

In order for us to be Christ’s disciples we must put Him first.

Jesus set the bar of discipleship very high for those who would follow.

It is so difficult because since the beginning of time man has wanted to fulfill his own personal agenda and meet his own interest and needs and take care of his own welfare.

Jesus was totally surrendered to the will of the Father and we are supposed to be totally surrendered to the will of the Father as well.

How can we get to that point in our lives when we are totally surrendered to God?

1. We must make a definite decision to come after Christ.

This decision is made when we accept Jesus as our Savior and allow God to forgive our sins.

2. We must deny ourselves of those things in our lives that oppose the will of God.

If we want to be a disciple of Christ and walk in the blessing and power of God then it will require us to practice self-denial, complete dedication, and willing obedience in our commitment to Christ.

3. We must take up our cross.

Taking up your cross is the total dedication of your life to God every day.

4. We must have dauntless determination and follow Him.

God doesn’t desire for us to just observe from the sideline.

The result is a church with no substantial witness or testimony that would draw others from their community into the saving power of God.

His desire is that we surrender to Him and when we do He promises to take care of everything else.

Sermon Audio: Jesus Foretells His Death
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:21-22
Duration: 23:19
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Foretells His Death
Luke 9:21-22

I. Jesus’ Command

Rather strangely, just after Peter’s magnificent confession about the true identity of Jesus, Jesus strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one.

After his resurrection, Jesus’ disciples are no longer to remain silent. Instead we are now to proclaim the truth to all about his identity.

Let us find ways to talk to colleagues, friends, neighbors, and family members about the identity of Jesus.

II. Jesus’ Prediction

Jesus, however, at this point in his life made a remarkable prediction to his twelve disciples.

A. Jesus’ Prediction of His Suffering

We know that his suffering began when the perfect Son of God left the glory of heaven and in humiliation was born in a low condition and underwent the miseries of living in this sinful world.

Jesus’ entire life was a life of suffering.

B. Jesus’ Prediction of His Rejection

The Sanhedrin eventually rejected Jesus and would not believe that he was the Christ, the Messiah, the Promised One.

C. Jesus’ Prediction of His Death

It was absolutely essential that Jesus, as God incarnate, should be killed in order to pay the penalty for our sin.

D. Jesus’ Prediction of His Resurrection

Jesus’ resurrection is our assurance that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.

Conclusion

We should thank God for what Jesus accomplished on behalf of his own.

Then he said, “Your role is simply to trust me, trust that I know what I’m doing even when it doesn’t look like it.”

Sermon Audio: Why Jesus
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:18-20
Duration: 23:19
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Why Jesus
Luke 9:18-20

The Bible presents one God and one way to be saved.

1. Who do the crowds say I am?

In Luke chapter 9, Jesus asked his disciples about the perceptions of the crowds who were following him around Galilee.

What do the people you see every week think about Jesus? Could you answer His question, “Who do people say that I am?”

2. Who do you say I am?

Notice that this question is personal. Jesus was saying, “you’ve told me what others say about me”.

Jesus is distinctive because he is the only religious leader who claims to be God.

Jesus stands alone in His claims…and in the evidence that supports his claims.

Here’s the difference. Christianity is all about done.

It’s about what Jesus Christ has already done for us.

If Jesus was telling the truth, then it all comes down to how we answer His question: “What about you? Who do you say I am?”

Sermon Audio: Opportunities Right In Front Of You
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:10-17
Duration: 23:46
Size: 10.8 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Opportunities Right In Front Of You
Luke 9:10-17

If you want to understand the Lord’s will, be wise by looking for the opportunities He sets before you, especially in difficult circumstances.

But rather than seeing this as an opportunity for Jesus to work, they saw it as a problem they needed to fix.

He wanted them to get out of the fix-it mode and begin to think in an opportunity mode.

Discipleship is not for spectators.

Once we come to believe in Christ as Savior, we can’t stay there, we need to move on in making Him Lord of our lives.

Problems are opportunities in disguise.

How you respond when you reach this turning point will determine whether you go on to be involved with Him in something God-sized that only He can do or whether you will continue to go your own way and miss the opportunity He has placed before you.

When opportunity knocks, we get up and open the door.

We often forget that when God speaks He always reveals what He is going to do—not what He wants us to do.

However, the Lord isn’t interested in just feeding people’s bellies for a day; He wants to feed their souls and spirits for eternity.

God wants to use problems as opportunities to reveal Himself though us.

But when God’s people and the world see something happen that only God can do, they come to know God.

Where God guides, He provides.

So as we seek to know and to do God’s will, it is imperative that we clearly know His will and His directions for carrying it out.

Sermon Audio: Jesus Sends Out The Twelve Apostles
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 9:1-9
Duration: 20:57
Size: 9.59 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Sends Out The Twelve Apostles
Luke 9:1-9

These twelve apostles were trained by Jesus to carry on his mission after his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

I. Their Empowerment (Luke 9:1)

Luke said that Jesus gave power and authority to the twelve.

Today, Jesus has given authority to preach the gospel and make disciples.

II. Their Mission (Luke 9:2)

People simply need to recognize that they are sinners, repent of their sin, put their trust in the person and work of Jesus, and surrender their lives to God’s sovereign and gracious kingship.

III. Their Instructions (Luke 9:3-5)

A. Regarding Luggage (Luke 9:3)

Jesus wanted his apostles to travel light on that first short-term missions trip so that they would learn to trust him completely for everything, even their basic needs.

B. Regarding Lodging (Luke 9:4)

They were to be content with their lodging.

C. Regarding Reception (Luke 9:5)

Rejecting the message of the kingdom of God was serious.

IV. Their Obedience (Luke 9:6)

V. Their Effect (Luke 9:7-9)

Whatever his reason, Herod was asking the right question, “Who is this?”

They did not know it at the time, but their ministry laid the foundation for a ministry that has led to the salvation of literally billions of lives since the first century.