Category: 2014 Sermons

Sermon Audio: The Life of a True Disciple
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:39-49
Duration: 24:44
Size: 11.3 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Life of a True Disciple
Luke 6:39-49

Seven great principles for a true disciple to remember.

1. We must be sure that we see clearly enough to guide others in their spiritual walk.

2. We cannot lead others where we have not been.

3. We must be sure that there is nothing that clouds our vision, before we attempt to help our brother.

4. The fruit is always true to character.

5. What comes out of the lips depends on what is inside the heart.

6. Obedience is the final test of Commitment.

7. A Building Is Only As Sound As the Foundation it is Built On. (vv. 47-49)

Coming
Obviously true discipleship begins by coming to Christ.

Hearing
We have to understand that really listening requires discipline.

1. Come prepared to listen. The will to concentrate is fundamental.
2. Keep your Bible open to the text and turn to the other passages that are cited.
3. Take notes, true hearing requires reflection and application.

Doing
Every time we really hear the Word of God and are genuinely moved, we must resolve to act upon it.

Everyone chooses in life the foundation that they will build their lives upon.

It was the storm that revealed the difference.

Every person is building a life, and the question is, “Does it have a proper foundation?”

Sermon Audio: Love Your Enemies
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:27-38
Duration: 27:48
Size: 12.7 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Love Your Enemies
Luke 6:27-38

The truth is that we as a society think often about revenge.

This message will have application to everyone present today because, difficult people are problem for everyone.

1. True Disciples Are to Love Their Enemies

Jesus says that for a believer to refrain from hating his enemy is not enough.

The word bless is a contraction of two Greek words Eu – good and logos word meaning that we have a good word for those who do not have a good word for us.

Jesus himself modeled this when after he had been mocked, beat and nail to a rough cross, he prayed “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

If we are truly living as Christ has dictated then we are not going to be worried about what we are going to get out of the deal.

2. True Disciples are to refrain from retaliation

But what Jesus was calling for was a new standard of conduct for his disciples.

3. True Disciples are to live by the Golden Rule

Jesus very clearly says to his disciples, “Treat all men, but especially your enemies, the way you would like to be treated.”

4. True Disciples are to avoid a Judgmental Spirit

Somehow judgmental people seek to lessen their own guilt by judging the sins of others.

Conclusion:

In fact, we cannot love our enemies in our own strength, but it can be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Audio: How To Live Successfully
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:17-26
Duration: 18:17
Size: 8.37 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
How To Live Successfully
Luke 6:17-26

This should be a great encouragement to us, if God could use these men as disciples, He can use us.

Those who follow Jesus must operate under a set of values different from and often opposite of that of the world.

1. Beware of setting your sights too low.

There is nothing innately righteous about being poor, nor is there any automatic evil in being rich.

2. Beware of settling for too little.

The Old Testament does directly equate blessing with physical hunger, but it does commend a different kind of hunger.

3. Beware of what you laugh at.

We are called to weep over lost souls, people who will go into eternal darkness without Christ.

4. Beware of seeking the world’s approval.

The sad truth is that many Christians are persecuted not for the sake of their faith but simply because they are so unpleasant.

Popularity contests are not truth contests; Your task is to be true, not popular.

They learned along the way that taking up the Cross was part of the package, that receiving life also included the relinquishing of life.

Sermon Audio: The Twelve Apostles
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 6:12-16
Duration: 20:27
Size: 9.36 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Twelve Apostles
Luke 6:12-16

Jesus decided that it was time to choose twelve men whom he could equip to carry on his mission after his departure.

I. The Preparation for Jesus’ Choice

Luke did not specifically state that Jesus prayed; it is likely that he assumed his readers would know this.

Jesus’ choice of twelve men was critical to the success of his mission. Therefore, all night he continued in prayer to God.

If Jesus, the sinless Son of God, spent time in prayer, thus demonstrating his total dependence upon God, then so do we.

II. The Purpose of Jesus’ Choice

Jesus was the teacher and those who put his teaching into practice were his disciples.

The twelve, whom Jesus named apostles, were going to be sent by Jesus to represent him in proclaiming the good news of the gospel to all nations.

Just as Jesus called each apostle to serve him as an apostle, Jesus also calls every Christian to some form of service.

III. The Persons of Jesus’ Choice

This group of men formed the nucleus of Jesus’ ministry team. They were a diverse group of ordinary men.

All of them, with the exception of John, died a martyr’s death in their faithful service to Jesus.

Today, Jesus calls us to be his disciples. He calls us to proclaim to the world that he is still seeking and saving the lost.