Portland, Oregon – A Congregation of Faith and Love
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Sermon Audio: A Race For All Generations
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:6-9
Duration: 15:32
Size: 7.11 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
A Race For All Generations
Luke 13:6-9
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Sermon Audio: A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 13:1-5
Duration: 19:37
Size: 8.98 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action
Luke 13:1-5
Life is full of questions.
But what really annoys others is the simple pat answers.
I don’t believe that the Asian tsunami or the 9/11 attacks had easy answers.
Quite honestly, I think it insults God’s intelligence when we come up with definite one-line answers for hard things in our world.
Instead of cursing the darkness, light a lamp.
I’m wondering if God is more concerned that we live to please him in everything, than He is in letting us know who’s saved and who isn’t.
Next time you want to complain about the church, ask if you’re actually contributing, if you’re part of the solution.
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Sermon Audio: Can Dry Bones Live?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Ezekiel 37:1-10
Duration: 21:28
Size: 9.83 MB
Can Dry Bones Live?
Ezekiel 37:1-10
The northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah.
Those who were carried off to a foreign land thought their circumstance was hopeless.
A common cry emerged: “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.”
The nation of Israel was dead. But God had a vision for Ezekiel.
Regardless of your situation, there is much to be learned.
God asked Ezekiel a question, “Can these bones live?” How would you answer that question?
Ezekiel was telling God that God is in charge.
Spiritual death is a slow but consuming path.
We become spiritually dead when sin gets in the way.
Ephesians 2:1 tells us that when we wallow in our sins and transgressions. We are spiritually dead.
Ezekiel’s experience teaches three things about life and successful living through the challenges we face:
The Spirit of God brings us life in Christ Jesus.
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:17
Can Dry Bones Live?
It Is Up To You!
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Sermon Audio: The Signs of the Times
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:54-59
Duration: 19:58
Size: 9.14 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Signs of the Times
Luke 12:54-59
Jesus now continues his teaching by warning his disciples and anyone else who would listen that there is great wisdom in reading the signs of the times.
First, You Need to Recognize That Judgement Is Real.
Yet the people of today pay far more attention to tomorrow’s weather forecast than they do to their eternal destiny.
The signs are there for those who are willing to observe them, and they warn of an inferno of judgment against an ungodly world, a fact which most people prefer to ignore or deny.
Secondly, You Need to Prepare Because Judgement Is Coming.
Having issued the warning, Jesus next in verses 57-59, gives the crowd (and us) some advice on how to prepare for judgment.
You had better settle with him before it is too late.
1. This Preparation Begins with a Sense of Our Sin.
People who have allowed God’s grace to work in their lives mourn their sin, the lost do not acknowledge their guilt.
2. This Preparation Involves Real Change.
“Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things, Charlie Brown.”
3. This Preparation Involves Accepting Christ as Your Personal Savior.
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Sermon Audio: Lasting Peace Has a Price
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 12:49-53
Duration: 15:39
Size: 7.16 MB
Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Lasting Peace Has a Price
Luke 12:49-53
Well Jesus too teaches that lasting peace has a price.
While Jesus shuddered at the thought of going to the cross he did not shrink from the task.
God burned the record of our sins by sending Jesus to pay for them at the cross, that baptism of fire.
Yes, the cross of Christ and its message ignites fires wherever it goes.
Because where there is no cross, there may be peace with man, but there can be no peace with God.
Yes, when you get tired of the conflict that comes because you’re a Christian, consider Christ and the cross he suffered.