2024-06-09: God’s Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

Sermon Audio: The Holy Spirit in the New Testament
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: I Corinthians 12:4-11
Duration: 26:44
Size: 14.9 MB

God’s Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit in the New Testament
I Corinthians 12:4-11

For those who do not embrace God’s gift of salvation, they will be swept up like chaff on the threshing floor and burned in fire.

The Old Testament validated that God’s Word is true and sure and that is why we must rely on God’s inspired Word as the ultimate source of truth.

In the early church, God gave various miraculous powers referred to by Paul as gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The washing, rebirth, and renewal, emphasis clearly falls on the Holy Spirit as the source of the new life God has made available to believers.

God’s Word can open hearts and minds to the things of God but it is the Holy Spirit that moves one to conversion and a life consecrated to Christ.

I think it is obvious that there is a disconnect between the church of today and the church of 2,000 years ago.

In most cases we have not allowed God’s Spirit to work in us or among us.

2024-06-02: God’s Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit in the Life of a Christian

Sermon Audio: The Holy Spirit in the Life of a Christian
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Romans 8:5-10
Duration: 27:40
Size: 16.4 MB

God’s Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit in the Life of a Christian
Romans 8:5-10

American independence has taught us to “do it yourself” and then if you encounter problems ask for help. But that is not God’s plan nor preference.

These “come-outers” held no formal church membership, had no governing church officials, and recognized no ministerial credentials.

The Bible does teach us that the Holy Spirit is active in a believer’s life.

We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit…that is we are set apart from our old life of sin to serve God and live a life of holiness.

In Christ, there is a new beginning–and that new beginning is aided by the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

God’s Word and God’s Spirit work in tandem guide us toward sanctification to move us to holiness of character that readies us for life to come.

So, we must ask ourselves, am I growing in Christ and what are the indicators of my growth?

There is a stark difference between ’emotionalism’ and emotions that stem from a true heart of worship.

2024-05-26: Waiting, Receiving, Being

Sermon Audio: Waiting, Receiving, Being
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-13
Duration: 30:47
Size: 17.2 MB

Waiting, Receiving, Being
Acts 2:1-13

Ten days after Christ had left, they found themselves in a room in Jerusalem doing just what Christ had commanded them to do, they were waiting.

When most of us think of Pentecost we think of Christianity, but as is the case with most of Christianity the true beginnings of Pentecost are rooted in Judaism.

But right there in that one little phrase is the secret to a church that is going to succeed and that is they were moving in one direction.

They were promised power, and that power is what they were waiting for.

Now I don’t know what was going on in that room before the wind and fire arrived, but I would suspect that God had their undivided attention after the fact.

You see what happens is that too many of us are guilty of putting God in a theological box; we say this is our position so get in there.

The miracle here was not the language that they spoke in but that they had the courage to speak in any language

2024-06-12: A Mother’s Love

Sermon Audio: A Mother’s Love
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 20:20-23
Duration: 19:19
Size: 11.1 MB

A Mother’s Love
Matthew 20:20-23

And mothers are a link to God, a child’s first impression of God’s love.

Mrs. Zebedee was aware of the teachings of Jesus about His kingdom.

But since today is Mother’s Day, maybe we ought to think for a few moments about some positive things concerning Mrs. Zebedee.

Being a parent is not easy. Sometimes you’re filled with joy and sometimes with sadness. Sometimes your children make you so proud you want to pop your buttons. At other times you can’t find enough handkerchiefs to dry your tears.

It begins at home with parents setting the example and praying that their sons and daughters might be involved in the work of the kingdom?

I suppose that is why today is special? because we recognize that mother’s love is probably the closest example we have to God’s love.