Tag: Acts: Life In The Spirit

Sermon Audio: A Dead Man Named Jesus
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 25:1-27
Duration: 20:44
Size: 14.2 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
A Dead Man Named Jesus
Acts 25:1-27

Jesus must become more than a dead man in the way we live and present Him to others.

I. Many People View Jesus (and Christianity) as Dead or Irrelevant
Some people are just waiting to see a Christian whose life really demonstrates the claims of their faith.

II. Many People Have Encountered the Risen Christ
Many people sitting here today have encountered the risen Christ. To you, Jesus is much more than a story.

III. It Is the Mission of Every Believer to Show that Jesus Is Alive!
That is why He gives us the mission to tell the good news about Jesus to everyone we can.

It’s hard to do what Jesus would do because we really just want to do what we want to do.

Is Jesus living in you, or is He little more than a dead man named Jesus?

Can people see that He is alive and well, or is He just a dead man named Jesus?

Sermon Audio: Happy People in an Unhappy World
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 24:1-27
Duration: 22:31
Size: 15.4 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Happy People in an Unhappy World
Acts 24:1-27

True joy is found in giving and receiving the unconditional love of Jesus. Happiness is not found in our circumstances, but in the unchanging love of God.

I. Happy People Experience Difficult Situations (Acts 24:1-9)
Paul’s happiness did not depend on his situation. Circumstances did not control Paul’s joy level.

II. Happy People Live with a Clear Conscience (Acts 24:10-16)
There is nothing like being forgiven! It has to be one of the most awesome blessings we receive from God.

You can have a clear conscience, not because you are perfect, but because Jesus can heal the pain that is in your heart because of past sins!

III. Happy People Know that Innocence Is Their Best Defense (Acts 24:17-21)
With God’s help we can live a holy and obedient life, so that there will be nothing substantial for our enemy to use against us.

IV. Happy People Receive the Truth, Even if It Hurts! (Acts 24:22-27)
The truth may make them uncomfortable and afraid, but if they act on the truth, then they will find peace and joy as a result.

Sermon Audio: He’s Got You Covered
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 23:12-35
Duration: 20:42
Size: 14.2 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
He’s Got You Covered
Acts 23:12-35

No matter how hard our enemy fights against us, God will take care of us if we will trust in Him.

I. Somebody Is Out to Get You! (Acts 23:12-15)
There is such a thing as righteous indignation, but please do not confuse your temper with God’s righteousness.

He will try to confuse you, distract you, discourage you, and even make you angry at God for the things that happen to you.

II. We Can Be Bold Enough to Resist the Enemy (Acts 23:16-22)
If God can use a child to stop the plan of the enemy, can He not use us?

Ultimately, we can never win against such a powerful enemy as Satan by ourselves. We need help from above, and the good news is that help is available to us.

III. The Lord Takes Care of Those Who Trust in Him (Acts 23:23-35)
When we have a sense of what He is up to, we can trust that He will see us through to accomplish His will in and through our lives.

Because if God is for us, the enemy doesn’t stand a chance against us.

Sermon Audio: Becoming An Effective Witness For Christ
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 23:1-11
Duration: 20:00
Size: 13.7 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
Becoming An Effective Witness For Christ
Acts 23:1-11

Jesus wants us to be witnesses for Him, who effectively share the good news of His grace with others.

I. Effective Witnesses Show Respect to Others (Acts 23:1-5)
He really did want to show respect to those in authority, even if they were in the wrong, because he knew it pleased God.

If we want to be effective witnesses for the Lord to other people, we will need to earn the right to be heard.

II. Effective Witnesses Are Innocent, Yet Wise (Acts 23:6-10)
Paul surely knew that it wouldn’t take a whole lot to ignite the hostility that existed between these two groups.

So, in one sense Paul was boiling down all the issues of Christianity to the one central issue–the resurrection.

So, it’s okay to be wise and shrewd in our approach, as long as we are being led by the Lord and not sacrificing our integrity or testimony.

III. Effective Witnesses Need the Encouragement of Christ’s Presence (Acts 23:11)
The more we connect with God, the more we will begin to hear Him speak to our hearts and minds, giving us the courage and reassurance, we need.

Sermon Audio: The Power of Humble Surrender
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 22:1-30
Duration: 25:04
Size: 17.2 MB

Acts: Life In The Spirit
The Power of Humble Surrender
Acts 22:1-30

One of the greatest lessons we can ever learn is how to humbly surrender ourselves to the One who created us.

I. Sincerity Does not Produce Truth (Acts 22:1-5)
Many people are sincerely wrong in what they believe about God and in how they live their lives before Him.

II. Christ Takes the Treatment of His Church Personally (Acts 22:6-8)
Are you committed to helping the church become the kind of bride Jesus wants to come back for?

III. Submission Is the Proper Attitude towards Jesus (Acts 22:9-11)
Paul may not have fully comprehended that he was dealing with the Lord of the universe, but he did know that Jesus commanded his respect.

The power of humble obedience is great because it allows us to get in step with God.

IV. Repentance Is the Proper Action towards Jesus (Acts 22:12-16)
When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, no decision can become your decision if you never act on what you know.

V. God’s Plan Is of Greater Importance than our Plans (Acts 22:17-21)
As Paul is addressing this Jewish crowd, part of his defense here is that it was not his idea to leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles.

VI. A Religious Spirit Cannot See beyond its own Agenda (Acts 22:22-24)
First and foremost, God told them that He loved them and wanted to be close to them.

Their agenda was to protect their own religious system at all costs, not to love the Lord and to honor Him.

VII. Our Rights Must Come under the Leadership of Jesus (Acts 22:25-30)
We must always surrender our rights to the One who has every right to every area of our lives.