2012-04-08: Going Away Empty Hearted – Easter 2012

Sermon: Going Away Empty Hearted
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: John 20:1-18
Duration: 31:01
Size: 14.2 MB

Going Away Empty Hearted
Easter 2012

John 20:1-18

On Sunday morning, some friends of his arrive at the tomb where he was buried to pay their last respects only to discover that his body is gone.

The question is how are you going to respond to that empty tomb?

JOHN, THE BELIEVER

He was so excited about the possibility that Jesus might actually be alive that he ran faster than he ever had before.

John saw and believed.

PETER, THE SKEPTIC

The last time that he had looked into the eyes of Jesus was just after Peter had denied Him.

He needed more evidence.

Peter walked away from that empty tomb with his heart still broken.

MARY, THE BROKEN-HEARTED

It was the deepest darkest time of their lives.

To her, Jesus meant…

  • Release
  • Peace
  • Forgiveness
  • Someone to believe in
  • Leadership

Seeing the Lord – that’s what Mary wanted more than anything else, and she wanted it more than anyone else did.

RESPONSE

You see the empty tomb and you believe.

You see the empty tomb and you don’t know what to believe.

You see the empty tomb, you see the change in people’s lives and you hang around long enough to have your questions answered and your faith grown.

2012-04-01: Spiritual Disciplines – Confession

Sermon: Spiritual Disciplines – Confession
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 15:17-20
Duration: 36:15
Size: 16.5 MB

Spiritual Disciplines
Confession

Luke 15:17-20

What God wants to hear is an honest answer to a simple question.

True confession is marked by honesty.

God can forgive any sin, but he will not forgive us until there is honest confession.

We have lost our moral bearings, we are spiritually adrift, and we are unaware of it.

The good news is that when we do confess our sin, we do not find rejection but acceptance from God.

True confession is marked by sorrow.

Real confession means that we regret what we have done.

Sin brings sorrow because it alienates us from God, from other people, and it leaves us broken within.

True confession is marked by change.

Once we become honest with ourselves, others and God, once we have repented with godly sorrow, a change takes place in our hearts.

It is a good thing to have someone to whom we can confess our sins.

When we are determined to seek the forgiveness of those we have wronged and make restitution, then we are on the path of a new obedience.

His heart is full of love and forgiveness.