Tag: Luke-The Investigative Gospel

Sermon Audio: Three Big Temptations In Life
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 4:1-13
Duration: 22:26
Size: 10.2 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Three Big Temptations In Life
Luke 4:1-13

The Devil can’t make us do anything. He may be clever, but he’s not all powerful.

1. He lays out the bait.
2. Then comes the appeal.
3. The struggle begins.
4. The temptation ends with the response.

This morning we are going to see Jesus meet and master temptation.

We are the most susceptible to temptation when we are alone.

1. The Temptation To Do It Yourself

The devil is well aware that God exists and I don’t think that he expends a great deal of effort trying to dissuade us from a belief in God.

The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier.

We regularly are tempted to go outside the confines of God’s will to satisfy our personal needs or desires.

2. The Temptation To Take The Easy Way

The devil was offering Jesus a kingdom without the cross.

Our world teaches us to avoid pain, to take the easy way, the path of least resistance.

3. The Temptation To Not Believe It Until You See It

This would be the equivalent of saying to God – “I won’t believe in you until I see you show it to me by my terms.”

The one thing common to all three temptations is that they attempted to distract Jesus from his mission or destroy his relationship with His heavenly Father.

Verse 13 reveals that the Devil will always be lurking in the shadows, watching, waiting for the next vulnerable moment.

When you are weak – expect a major assault.
When you resist – be ready for a different approach.
When he leaves – count on another attack.

Sermon Audio: You’ve Got What It Takes
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 3:21-38
Duration: 21:51
Size: 10.0 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
You’ve Got What It Takes
Luke 3:21-38

In the text we’re reading today we find part of the greatest epic ever told, and here Luke reveals to us the emergence of the hero.

You strip the Old Testament down and it becomes the story of God preparing the way for the hero to emerge.

Today God is writing the epic of your life. I don’t care whether you prefer westerns, romances or sci-fi, the story is the same.

Know why you’re here

He had come to earth for one purpose, and that was to glorify the Father.

You have absolutely got to know that you are here for one reason and only one reason: to bring glory to the Father!

Burn the bridges

The only way to follow Christ is to abandon yourself to Him. Abandon everything to Him.

Step into the river

Put a torch to the bridges you’ve been keeping erected in your life just in case things don’t work out, and step down into the river where a glorious and exciting future awaits you.

You’re going to experience…

…The fellowship of the Son.
When you abandon everything to walk with God; simply to be with Him, you’re going to be following in the very footsteps of Christ.

…The presence of the Holy Spirit.
When you abandon everything to God, the Holy Spirit is going to be in your corner.

…The affirmation of the father.
God the Father expressed in just a few simple words His love and affirmation for the Son.

Sermon Audio: It’s Time To Turn
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 3:1-20
Duration: 21:08
Size: 9.67 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
It’s Time To Turn
Luke 3:1-20

Luke wanted his friend Theophilus, for whom this gospel account is written to; remember how spiritually dark the world scene was before the appearance of John the Baptist.

1. THE TRUTH MAY NOT BE EASY TO HEAR (Luke 3:3-6)

He confronted the nation as the first authentic prophet in over 400 years: as God’s messenger, with God’s message and declaring God’s judgment.

John’s baptism followed each person’s repentance and was a sign of it.

2. THE TRUTH DEMANDS CHANGE (Luke 3:7-14)

The problem with repentance is that is very difficult for anyone to tell if someone is truly repentant.

He pointed out to them that true repentance means to rethink one’s lifestyle and goals and to carry out the results.

Repentance was a way of life not just a one-time event.

3. THE TRUTH IS THE SAME FOR EVERYONE (Luke 3:19-20)

Sermon Audio: Forget Waldo, Where’s Jesus?
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:39-52
Duration: 18:10
Size: 8.31 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Forget Waldo, Where’s Jesus?
Luke 2:39-52

Do you every find yourself calling out those same words: Where’s Jesus?

Can you imagine the fear that must have been on Mary and Joseph heart?

We often feel as if we have misplaced Jesus because we have allowed other things to distract us.

1. What are some of the things that we allow to distract us? __________________

Are we looking for Jesus in the wrong places? It’s not about numbers, or size, or us. It’s all about Jesus.

What was Jesus saying? If you are looking for me all you have to do is look where God is already working and join him.

2. Where’s Jesus? __________________

Sermon Audio: The Waiting Game
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 2:20-38
Duration: 23:26
Size: 10.7 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
The Waiting Game
Luke 2:20-38

There are three ceremonies that are condensed into just a few verses.

It is probable that the first sign of the identity of this child that was given to Simeon was when he was told that his name was Jesus.

The only things we are told are the things that matter most to God – things which pertain to his character and his relationship with God.

Four characteristics of the individuals of this story.

1. He came to the right place to find Jesus.

Simeon’s devotion to the Temple is a reminder to the Christian of the importance of faithfulness to the Church.

2. He personally received Christ.

This man, who knew that God held him in the palm of His hand, now holds God in his arms!

3. He experienced true peace with God.

Salvation is not just something Jesus did it is also who He was.

From the beginning all the way to the end of his life Jesus continued to spark wonder and amazement in the hearts of people.

Christ divides people into two camps, those who are his followers and his servants and those who reject Him.

4. They both lived expectantly.

Simeon had been divinely guided to the Temple; Anna was always there.

Application

1. Both Simeon and Anna lived with expectancy.

2. It is only by receiving Christ personally that you can have the peace to die.

3. It is our unchanging task to tell everyone we can about the redeemer.