Tag: Val Watkins

Sermon Audio: The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 20:1-18
Duration: 24:27
Size: 11.1 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Luke 20:1-18

As Jesus’ ministry and mission was coming to its climactic end in Jerusalem, the religious rulers did not believe that Jesus was sent by God.

I. The Ensnaring Question of the Rulers

Jesus’ authority did not rest on other human teachers; his authority came directly from God himself.

II. The Counter Question of Jesus

This was so clever! Jesus wanted them to affirm to the people what they thought about John the Baptist.

III. The Dishonest Answer of the Rulers

So, now, in the midst of the crowds in the temple, it would be foolish to say that John’s authority was self-derived.

IV. The Concluding Response of Jesus

V. The Pointed Parable of Jesus

Jesus used an image in this parable, usually called “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants“, that was readily understood by everyone.

Every part of the parable symbolized something or someone. Therefore, the man = God, the Father; the vineyard = Israel; the tenants = Israel’s leaders; the servants = the prophets; and, finally, the son = Jesus.

A. The Work Agreement Between the Man and the Tenants

Jesus’ point is that God established Israel as his vineyard. The tenants he put in charge of the vineyard were the religious rulers.

B. The Wickedness of the Tenants

Jesus’ point was that Israel’s leaders had become successful from the fruit of the vineyard, and they wanted to keep the bounty for themselves.

Jesus’ point in the parable is that the leaders would go as far as murder in order to maintain their position, status, and authority.

C. The Wrath of the Man

They could not fathom that God would destroy them.

D. The Warning to All

Jesus was saying that he is the cornerstone. And Israel was rejecting him.

Sermon Audio: Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:45-48
Duration: 28:13
Size: 12.9 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Luke 19:45-48

We live in a day in which there is massive confusion about how to worship God.

Well, Jesus raised a voice against the distortion of worship he found at the temple in Jerusalem.

I. Jesus Was Zealous for the Pure Worship of God

Therefore, his ministry always focused on the kingdom of God and true worship of him.

What was happening in the Court of the Gentiles made Jesus righteously angry.

The worshipful atmosphere that was appropriate for the temple, the symbol of God’s presence, was missing.

It is apparent that God’s people are guilty of all manner of sin, yet they believe that they are exempt from divine judgment because of the presence of God’s temple in their midst.

Jesus is zealous for the pure worship of God, and he pronounces God’s judgment on false worship.

II. Jesus Was Passionate about the Clear Teaching of God’s Word

He wanted people to know how to come into a right relationship with God, which was through faith in him and repentance of sin.

Do we think that God will accept us and our worship simply because we go through the act of worship?

Sermon Audio: What Made Jesus Cry
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:41-44
Duration: 21:45
Size: 9.95 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
What Made Jesus Cry
Luke 19:41-44

There are two instances recorded for us in the Scripture where Jesus cried.

What makes you cry? What sorts of things get to you and cause you to well up with tears?

1. JESUS CRIED… BECAUSE WHEN HIS PEOPLE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THEY REJECTED IT.

Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem because that’s where the cross was.

The people of Jerusalem were visited by God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ but chose not to accept Him.

Whenever Christians have the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus’ death, burial and Resurrection with someone who needs to hear it, but they don’t take it, it saddens Jesus.

2. JESUS CRIED… BECAUSE WHEN HIS PEOPLE REJECTED HIM, THEY SUFFERED FOR IT!

They could have had peace, but they missed it. And because they didn’t have peace, they suffered from unhappiness in the present.

People who reject Jesus Christ not only suffer from unhappiness, but also from hopelessness.

Maybe you’re suffering from grief, loneliness, depression, anxiety you need to know this morning that Jesus knows what you’re feeling.

So many of us are caught up in our own knowledge of Jesus Christ, that we can’t seem to stop and see that people all around us don’t know him.

“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”

Sermon Audio: The Triumphal Entry
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:28-40
Duration: 21:09
Size: 9.68 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Triumphal Entry
Luke 19:28-40

Luke organized his entire Gospel to show who Jesus is and what he had come to do to seek and to save he lost.

He knew well enough what lay ahead, and had set his face to go and meet it head on.

He was coming to be the Passover Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). But, before he gave his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), he entered the city as the King of kings.

I. Jesus Plans His Deliberate Entrance

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was an act of glorious defiance and of great courage.

So Jesus by this action came as a king of love and peace, and not as the conquering military hero that the crowds expected and awaited.

II. Jesus Affirms His Sovereign Kingship

As Jesus rode from Bethphage and Bethany down the Mount of Olives, which was directly opposite Jerusalem, he was affirming his sovereign kingship.

Jesus rides the same way into our lives today. He comes in humility to be our Savior.

III. Jesus Receives His Rightful Praise

The crowds gave Jesus his rightful praise as the coming Messiah and king for all the mighty works that they had seen.

Is it your joy and delight to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that Jesus has done and is doing?

Sermon Audio: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 19:11-27
Duration: 23:11
Size: 10.6 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Finding Your Sweet Spot
Luke 19:11-27

When it comes to living out our commitment to God, you and I have our own sweet spots, a place of service, in our lives that allows us to live like we were created to live.

They are called spiritual gifts and if we have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ then we have been given, by God, spiritual gifts to be used to serve God and help fulfill His mission and purpose.

Every one of us here this morning has a sweet spot; every one of us here this morning has at least one talent that we need to use as part of God’s team.

I think we need to ask ourselves when it comes to the issue of not just stewardship of our time, our treasures, or our talents, but of our entire life.

Giving and serving are also important parts of our faith and life in God.

God gave people, you and me, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.