Tag: Val Watkins

Sermon Audio: When Life Is Just Not Fair
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 7:18-35
Duration: 24:14
Size: 11.0 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
When Life Is Just Not Fair
Luke 7:18-35

We run into real problems when we try to impose our definitions of fairness on God.

1. God Does Not Have To Work By Our Expectations.

Languishing in prison, John became increasingly perplexed by the reports he heard of Jesus’ ministry because it was not all what he had imagined that the Messiah would do.

2. Honest Doubt Is Not A Sin.

I don’t think that John no longer believed in Jesus, but he did have questions about the style of his ministry and the content of his message.

In John’s case his doubt was not born of willful unbelief but of doubt that was fed by physical strain and emotional turmoil.

3. The Only Valid Test of Jesus’ Message Is the Test of Truth.

The application for us today is clear, examine the evidence, if he is truly the Son of God, if he alone fulfills the prophecies of scripture, if indeed died, was buried and rose again then the evidence demands a verdict.

4. John’s Moment of Doubt Did Not Negate His Years of Ministry.

Jesus did not want the crowd to look down on John so he deliberately paid tribute to John.

Yet John’s greatness is nothing compared to those who are able to enjoy the blessing of living in the age of grace.

5. It Is Not Wise to Play With Your Eternal Destiny.

We too have ideas about how God will work. Some people are never willing to give up and allow God to be God.

Sermon Audio: Even Death Is Not A Barrier
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 7:11-17
Duration: 21:53
Size: 10.0 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Even Death Is Not A Barrier
Luke 7:11-17

Death is a cruel thief when it strikes down the young.

1. Sometimes life just seems to cave in on us.

When our loved one stops breathing and the heart stops pumping, we say, “That’s it, it is finished!”

These differences illustrate that our Savior doesn’t demand that we fit into a set pattern to receive his help.

2. We serve a Lord who is moved by our needs.

But when Jesus saw her he saw not only her grief but also the social stigma she would have to bear as well.

Jesus told her not to weep because he was about to turn her tears into a testimony.

3. Our Savior is able to conquer even death.

Without even the presence of faith Jesus gave this woman back her son.

He will give our loved ones back to us and us to them, and forever we shall live together in His presence.

4. He that overcomes death deserves our worship.

May I suggest to you that a brush with death will cause us to reexamine our priorities?

Because death could not keep Jesus in the grave we can have the same confidence that the apostle Paul expressed.

Do you believe that those who believe in Him will never die If so what have you done about it?

Sermon Audio: Amazing Faith
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Luke 7:1-10
Duration: 21:22
Size: 9.78 MB

Luke-The Investigative Gospel
Amazing Faith
Luke 7:1-10

Our text today about a Roman soldier’s faith takes us inside true faith and shows how and what faith does.

What are characteristics that made this man’s faith so amazing?

1. The first characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to love across all barriers.

This man loved people who were not just like himself.

2. The second characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to be excited and active in the work of God.

He enthusiastically involved himself in what was the most apparent work that God was doing.

What is it that God is doing that you are excited about, that matters to you, that you are enthusiastically giving yourself to?

3. The third characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to approach Christ in great humility.

This passage reveals two essential components of the Christian faith – an understanding of who Christ is and an understanding of who we are.

This Roman soldier a man of considerable influence and power, was also uniquely humble.

4. The fourth characteristic of an Amazing Faith was that it caused this man to be willing to trust in Christ alone.

Jesus promised a special blessing on people like the centurion and you.

Some think that an amazing faith is the ability to do the miraculous, but miracles are something that Jesus can do any time.

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.