Category: 2019 Sermons

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: Habakkuk: God of the Unexpected
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Habakkuk 1-3
Duration: 21:45
Size: 10.6 MB

The Minor Prophets
Habakkuk: God of the Unexpected
Habakkuk 1-3

Israel has fallen and Habakkuk ministers in Judah and struggles with the problem of evil in his days.

The structure is simple–Habakkuk complains to God, God answers him, he launches into a second complaint, God replies and then he responds with a song of worship.

We can pour out your heart to God without fear. The Psalmists do that often–1/3 of the Psalms are laments–expressing frustrations, disappointments and even anger towards God.

Time does not work against God. It works against us–we rush for time, we fight against time, we try to beat the clock.

The Babylonians had just defeated the Assyrians, and the Lord is going to use them against Judah.

Even if we do not understand, can we trust Him enough not to put any expectations on Him?

This is the reason why we can trust Him even though we do not fully understand or agree with His ways.

Habakkuk is not trying to be optimistic. The challenges are there, but he is willing to trust God and put his hope in God.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: Nahum: The Wrath of God
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Nahum 1-3
Duration: 18:41
Size: 8.96 MB

The Minor Prophets
Nahum: The Wrath of God
Nahum 1-3

The book of Nahum comes some one hundred years after the prophecy of Jonah.

It’s obvious that God has intended these messages to be heard by His people. God is consoling His people.

God is delaying sentencing, so that man will have a chance.

Life will always have its troubles and struggles, but circumstances don’t define our life.

It is certainly true that God loves the sinner but hates his sin, as we sometimes say. But that is only part of the story.

You cannot just preach the God of wrath without the God of love, but the wrath of God grows out of his love, is a manifestation of his love.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: Micah: True Worship
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Micah 1-7
Duration: 22:30
Size: 10.3 MB

The Minor Prophets
Micah: True Worship
Micah 1-7

We need to be deliberate in making time for God, to think about His Word, His workings in our lives, and His concerns.

They have all the outward forms, but their hearts were far from God.

God says, the best worship you can give Me is not the offering of the best calves or the most, thousands of ram, but to do what I have shown you.

If worship is an encounter with Christ, then it happens every day and everywhere.

The poor and needy are always on God’s radar screen. People are God’s concern.

If the Lord dwells in my heart, and is the Lord seated on the throne of my heart, then I am an agent of change for my world!

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Android | Podcast Index | RSS

Sermon Audio: Jonah: Merciful God
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Jonah 1-4
Duration: 22:34
Size: 11.0 MB

The Minor Prophets
Jonah: Merciful God
Jonah 1-4

God is eager to forgive. He is glad that people are given second chances.

Whether the prophet comprehends God’s mercy is left unknown.

God is the God of the second chances. In fact, God creates the second chances.

God is relentless in giving His people warnings and opportunities to repent.

The fact that the people of Nineveh are alive, that sinners are alive and well today, is because God is holding off His judgement through mercy.

Jesus came showing mercy and lives were changed.

We pray that our hearts will be filled with His love, so that His mercy and grace can flow, unhindered by our pride and prejudice.