Category: 2018 Sermons

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2018-07-08: Jesus-The Ultimate Action Hero–And Jesus Stood Still

Sermon Audio: And Jesus Stood Still
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Mark 10:46-52
Duration: 22:43
Size: 11.4 MB

Jesus: The Ultimate Action Hero
And Jesus Stood Still
Mark 10:46-52

They are scary people, because they are toothless and dirty and they have not bathed or changed clothes in months; but, they seem harmless because they are severely withdrawn.

A similar thing happened a couple of thousand years ago outside Jericho.

He begs because he is poor and his poverty is due to his blindness; therefore, there is no sin in his begging.

The people saw someone going to be their king. Bartimaeus found the Savior for Whom he had been looking.

And Jesus stood still. He did not simply pause. He did not slow down and glance at the beggar. Jesus stopped, Jesus stood still.

There are two miracles in this story. First, a blind beggar has his sight restored. But its the second miracle I would like to leave you with today.

Yet among all the personal anxiety and commotion of the crowd, He heard a single voice cry out. And He stood still.

For Jesus to pass by one soul would be to contradict His entire mission.

Jesus stood still.

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2018-07-01: Jesus-The Ultimate Action Hero–Anxious To Matter

Sermon Audio: Anxious To Matter
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Mark 10:32-45
Duration: 28:07
Size: 13.3 MB

Jesus: The Ultimate Action Hero
Anxious To Matter
Mark 10:32-45

We want a life that means something. We want a life that makes a difference. The question is, “How?” How do we live a life that matters?

For you see, if we want to live a life that matters, then like Jesus we must be willing to die. We must be willing to…
SACRIFICE OUR OWN LIVES.

If we want to live a life that matters, 1st we must sacrifice. Then 2nd, we must…
SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S SAKE.

Jesus tells them, You will indeed suffer, because that’s the price of greatness. That’s the cost of living a life that matters.

It is absolutely necessary if we want to live lives that matter. 1st we must sacrifice. 2nd we must suffer; and 3rd if we want to live lives that matter, we must…
SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL.

Would I be willing to serve God faithfully and raise up my children to serve him, even if I never achieved any recognition?

Whatever role God has assigned to you, in His strength, carry out that role to the best of your ability. For if we want to live a life that matters.

1st we must sacrifice; 2nd we must suffer; 3rd we must submit; and finally, we must…
SERVE ONE ANOTHER.

Jesus Himself showed us what true greatness is all about. It’s not about people waiting on me. It’s about me waiting on people.

Do you want to live a life that makes a positive difference in other people’s lives? Then with God’s help strive to be a servant and not a celebrity.

When your life is all said and done, what will your contribution be?

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2018-06-17: Jesus-The Ultimate Action Hero–Who Owns You?

Sermon Audio: Who Owns You?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Mark 10:17-31
Duration: 20:56
Size: 9.25 MB

Jesus: The Ultimate Action Hero
Who Owns You?
Mark 10:17-31

Sadly for him, getting eternal life is not a thing to be purchased to add to his collection.

Jesus gives the man six of the Ten Commandments–those dealing with relationships with others–not, interestingly, on a relationship with God, which this man lacked.

What the Lord is pointing out is that which is keeping this man from following Jesus: his love of money.

If this is how you react to having the potential for something you treasure be ripped away from you, then perhaps it has you more than you have it.

Why is it hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? Because they can self-inoculate against their need.

What you get from Jesus are relationships, security, and purpose, and not just a little, but a super abundance compared to this age.

Is there something in your life that you love more than God? You can tell by imagining that it was suddenly taken away.

Anything you rely on for security, if it isn’t Jesus, may turn out to be your worst enemy.

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2018-06-10: Jesus-The Ultimate Action Hero–Soft Heart-Hard Heart

Sermon Audio: Soft Heart–Hard Heart
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Mark 10:1-16
Duration: 23:14
Size: 10.5 MB

Jesus: The Ultimate Action Hero
Soft Heart–Hard Heart
Mark 10:1-16

Jesus points out in this case that relying on our own senses and desires will pull us away from God’s character, not towards it.

In fact, they may have been hoping that Jesus’ answer would either bring Him under their control, or cause Him to suffer the same fate as John!

Men and women were meant to get and stay married. But God knows we live in fleshly bodies and in a fallen world, so He allows divorce while protecting the innocent as much as possible.

They saw it as a legal issue. Jesus sees it as a spiritual issue.

As I said, we must always strive for God’s ideal, knowing that the flesh will muck things up. To me, it is the attitude of the heart that matters.

He takes the tender heart of the human who throws him or herself on the mercy of God through Jesus Christ.

Nothing seems to get God upset than when innocent ones are kept from approaching Him.

However, just as we don’t brand everyone who has ever hated as a murderer, we need to realize we live in a fallen world where we rely on God’s mercy and focus on having a soft heart towards Him in all things. We should make divorce the last possible option, knowing that there will be consequences.