2010-07-18: Your Take On Time

Sermon: Your Take On Time
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 32:36
Size: 14.9 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Your Take On Time”
1 Peter 1:3-12

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”
Albert Einstein

We are “elect exiles”, we have been chosen by God so that we might belong to Him through Jesus, we no longer belong to the world; because of that we are spiritual strangers, appointed aliens, hand-picked pilgrims, refugees, exiles.

  1. Hope in Light of the Future (1:3-5)
    God’s choice of them was made real when they experienced a new birth.

    Jesus beat death. He didn’t cheat death; He beat it. He did die, but death could not hold Him. Jesus is alive.

    I think we worry about the future so often because we live in such an uncertain world that is changing all the time.

  2. Joy in Light of the Present (1:6-9)
    He first acknowledges and encourages them in the fact that their future reward is in fact bringing them joy in the present.

    Their future might be all about their identity as a chosen child of the King, but their present is consumed by the difficulty of being a foreigner in a hostile land.

    When we struggle, we must always encourage one another to see our present circumstances as more than just painful; we need to see them as purposeful.

    When our perspective on our present is shaped by genuine faith, it is marked by an unquenchable, unabashed love for Jesus.

    Right now is your perspective shaped by the love and joy that can only come from new life?

  3. Humility in Light of the Past (1:10-12)
    While all of us are shaped by what we’ve done and where we’ve been and what we’ve seen, for some of us, there are things in our past that cast a long shadow over our present.

    If you are truly a Christian is the moment you heard and believed the gospel, the most defining moment of your life.

    The past should fill us with a sense of humility in light of the privilege we have as heirs of such a salvation.

    Don’t let your family, or your circumstances, or your station in life, define you. Rather, let that new birth into God’s family shape your perspective on the past.

  4. Time and Trust
    If you’re trying to live out new life in this same old place, what’s your take on time?

    If you were to tell someone else the story of your life, would it be absolutely clear that the hero of the story was Jesus Christ?

    Faith allows you to see that your life is not merely a collection of decisions ultimately made pointless by chance and death.

    You are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the power of sin, and one day, saved from the very presence of sin.

Next Week
“Hope Fully Set”

I Peter 1:13-21

2010-07-11: Being An Exile Without Even Leaving Your House

Sermon: Being An Exile Without Even Leaving Your House
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 24:49
Size: 11.3 MB

New Life In The Same Old Place
“Being An Exile Without Even Leaving Your House”
1 Peter 1:1-2

  1. The Writer – Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ
    I think the emphasis here is not on Peter’s history, but rather, Peter’s authority.
    And in faith, we believe that they are in fact the very words of God.
  2. The Readers
    Well there are two words in that phrase that we need to nail down. They are the words “exiles” and “dispersion“.
    As those verses make clear, the recipients of 1 Peter were not predominantly Jewish. They were predominantly not Jewish.
  3. The Chosen
    You see there that Peter refers to them as “elect exiles”, or we could say “chosen exiles”.
    Verse 2 actually contains three phrases that all connect back to and qualify this very word, “elect”.

    1. Those Foreknown
      It is a clear and indisputable fact from Scripture that God knows everything and everyone that was, is, and will be.
    2. Those Sanctified
      Those who were once conformed, are now being transformed by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit within them.
    3. Those Cleansed
      Through the power of the Spirit, the Spirit that sets us apart, we are called to obey Jesus and not the wisdom of this world.
      But even when we fail to obey, even when we stumble, we rest in the fact that we have been chosen for sprinkling with his blood, the blood of Jesus Christ.
      And so if you are Christian, you have been called, you have been chosen by God, to follow Jesus through the forgiveness of the cross.
  4. Life as an Alien
    “Do you understand that, if you are a follower of Christ, you are an elect exile?
    How are we to live a new life in the same old place?
    First, elect exiles are called to live like home at the local level.
    You are no longer defined by your birth in this or that town or country. You are now defined by your birth from above.
    We must grow in and live out the customs of our kingdom, yes, at the local level.
    Second, elect exiles will constantly feel the “rub” of spiritual culture shock.
    Christian, the tension with this world will always be there because we are elect exiles.
    For those who are resident aliens in a new land, those who have not forgotten their home, there will be a friction that exists in this other place.
    Third, elect exiles must never forget why they are different.
    The reason we are different has less to do with where, and more to do with who.
    But our differences should come as a consequence of the goal of living for Jesus Christ, our true King.
    May we grow in that recognition of and experience of God’s favor as those who have been chosen by Him.

Next Week
“Your Take on Time”

I Peter 1:3-12

2010-07-04: Freedom In Christ

Sermon: Freedom In Christ
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 35:31
Size: 16.2 MB
Scripture: John 8:31-36

Videos shown here were used during the sermon.

Today as America we celebrate our 234th birthday.

Our founding fathers believed freedom was infinitely more desirable than slavery and bondage. Freedom was worth fighting for. Many Christians do not know this freedom because they are still leading a life of defeat rather than a life of abundance.

Freedom From Satan

Jesus Christ purchased our freedom with his death at the cross. You and I have the key to set free those who are in the bondage of sin.

Freedom From Sin

We have all missed the mark and are in need of the saving grace of God. We are no longer slaves. The power of sin is broken. We are no longer under sin’s control.

Freedom From Scars

Sin leaves scars. But salvation makes us a new person.

Freedom To Be Saintly

We can now shake off those bad habits and live up to our dreams and potentials. We are free to become all that the Lord wants us to be. Some of you made that declaration at conversion and some haven’t. I call you to sign the Christian’s declaration.

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have bound my life. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and set me free from Satan and sin. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

The Christian’s Declaration Of Independence

I am free from failure for “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” Philippians 4:13

I am free from want for “my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

I am free from fear for “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I am free from doubt for “God hath given to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

I am free from weakness, “for the Lord is the strength of my life.” Psalm 27:1 and “the people know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32

I am free from the power of Satan “for greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

I am free from defeat “for God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

I am free from ignorance, “for Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:30

I am free from sin “for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

I am free from worry “for I am to cast my cares upon Him.” 1 Peter 5:7

I am free from bondage “for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

I am free from condemnation, “for there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

2010-06-27: Kinsmen Redeemer

Sermon: Kinsmen Redeemer
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 34:39
Size: 15.8 MB

Ruth: A Story of God’s Faithfulness
“Kinsmen Redeemer”

Ruth Chapter 4

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

Introduction

The Velcro Effect” (God’s Faithfulness)
It Just Happened” (God’s Provision)
Amazing Love” (God’s Love)

Naomi had thoughts and feelings the days of redemption were beyond her.

I.  Old Testament Kinsman Redeemer

Ruth 4:1-6

Today we see from the book of Ruth a story of God’s Redemption.

II.  Christ Our Kinsman Redeemer

Ruth 4:6-8

In the Old Testament writings we have types and word pictures of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Redeemer must be blood related … Christ became the incarnation that He might be the blood relative to redeem lost humanity.
John 1:14

Redeemer must be able … Christ was able.
1 Peter 1:18-19

Redeemer must be willing … Christ was willing.
Hebrews 9:12

Christ purchased our freedom through His blood as the payment to redeem us.
Ephesians 2:11-13
Ephesians 2:19
Titus 2:14
Galatians 3:13
Ephesians 1:7

III.  The Benefits of Redemption

A. Redemption restores life.

Ruth 4:6-8

When death seemed inevitable redemption restored life.

Psalm 23:3-4
Psalm 51:12
Revelation 5:9

B. Redemption gives witness.

Ruth 4:9-10

We are witnesses not only of each other, but the redeeming work of God.

Psalm 107:2
Acts 1:8

C. Redemption gives new life.

Ruth 4:13-15,16,22

The lives of the redeemed share in the new life offered.

The story of redemption continues each time a person confesses and believes in Jesus Christ.

In Him we find the fulfillment of God’s faithfulness, care, and love.

In Him salvation is fulfilled for a sinful and lost mankind.

In Him we find that Ruth’s story is our story as we have a redeemer who is faithful and true.

Matthew 1:5-6
Matthew 1:16
Luke 2:36-38
Ephesians 1:7

2010-06-13: Amazing Love

Sermon: Amazing Love
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Duration: 33:29
Size: 15.3 MB

Ruth: A Story of God’s Faithfulness
“Amazing Love”

Ruth Chapter 3

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (NIV)

Introduction

What is love?

Today we have before us a picture of love. It is a picture of God’s love, God is the source and sum of true love.

To get a clearer understanding of love let us not glean among the tares of the world for our definition, but from the wheat itself of God’s love.

I.  Love Provides Security

Ruth 3:1-3

God is a great provider. If we will only look around us we can see His loving provisions.

In Christ God has provided each of us with His secure love. A love that we do not have to earn. A love that will keep us eternally secure.

Put on the love of Jesus Christ, for there you will find the greatest provision of security.

Ephesians 3:20
Colossians 3:12-14

II.  Love Submits and Obeys

Ruth 3:4-7

Submit and obey, these are words that conjure up horrible thoughts among many today.

What we fail to understand is that in the field of loving security it is not a burden to submit and obey.

Ruth knows that a place of blessing is found in submission.

John 14:15
III.  Love Gives and Receives

Ruth 3:8-17

When love is received it continues to give.

Ruth was willing to give her life that she might receive life.

Love always gives and love always receives and in turn it will always give again.

Acts 20:35
John 12:25

Conclusion

If there is one quality of the Christian life that ought to out weigh and out shine all the others it is our love.

God loves you and when you know that you find His provisions. When you know God loves you, you can submit to Him in obedience. And when you receive God’s love you can give God’s love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-2,4-8a

June 27th
“Kinsmen Redeemer”

Ruth Chapter 4