Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:4-8

Adrian Rogers says, “You can choose your thoughts like you choose your friends.”

As Christians, we must have a standard regarding the kinds of thoughts we allow into our minds. Scripture shows us how and why we should control our thought lives.

Philippians 4:4-7 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Every Christian who is in control of his thoughts will have conscious, contagious joy in the Lord.

We will obtain healthy mental attitudes when we remember God is near, and we will recognize His presence continually.

We must refuse to worry about anything; Jesus Himself tells us that worrying is worthless, wasteful, and wicked. (See Matthew 6.) Instead, we must bring every need to God—all the while, developing thankful spirits.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

This verse reveals exactly how we should screen our thoughts and what to admit into our minds:

1, Reliance Test: Is it true? Does it come from a reliable source?

2, Respect Test: Is it honest, honorable, and worthy of respect?

3. Rightness Test: Is it straight-line thinking or is it crooked thinking?

4. Reverence Test: Is it pure, free of contamination, worthy of being lifted up in worship?

5. Relationship Test: Does it cause you to love rather than criticize?

6. Refinement Test: Is it a good report, high-toned, refined, and beneficial?

We can win the war on our minds and control our thoughts, but it will not happen if we stay neutral. We must be intentional about thinking what is good. We will not overcome evil with anything other than what is good.

Apply it to your life

There is a correct standard for the thoughts we allow into our minds. Do you think about what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, or of good report? Be intentional today, as you meditate on what is good.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Our thought lives are the root of many of our problems in this world gone wild. It is crucial that we have mastery over our minds and control over our thought lives.

First, we must be sure of our salvation.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

The devil wants us to stay in the dark and blind our minds to the light of the Gospel.

There’s a difference between the mind and the brain; the devil does not come after our intelligence, rather he wants to distort our minds. We become what we think about. (See Proverbs 23:7.)

The carnal mind, which is at war with God, must be converted. There is no second step until we are sure we are saved.

Second, we must pursue single-minded, heart-felt devotion to God.

A converted mind can be corrupted; we can lose so much ground in the battle for our thought lives if we do not take action and give everything over to God.

Third, we must root out the strongholds in our thought lives.

A corrupt mind must be conquered. We must conquer compulsiveness, obsessions, fixations, and fears. We cannot let bitterness and resentment, uncontrollable lusts, phobias, criticisms, or distrust have a hold on us.

This warfare is not carnal, so our weapons aren’t either. Education, psychology, nor positive thinking can help us take down these strongholds. Our fighting chance is the blood of Christ, the Word of God, and the authority in the name of Jesus.

Finally, we must surrender our conquered minds back to the Lord.

We cannot be neutral; we cannot merely dethrone the enemy—Christ must be enthroned in our thought lives.

Adrian Rogers says, “No man can think two things at one time. If you’re thinking what is right, you cannot be thinking what is wrong. You can choose your thoughts like you can choose your friends.”

Our great hope is that the conquered mind can be controlled by bringing every thought to Jesus Christ.

Apply it to your life

Bring every thought to obedience, and let the Lord Jesus Christ screen your thought life today.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Genesis 1; Ephesians 1

God made man and woman to have dominion, victory, and mastery; it is the very reason we were created. Once we understand this, we can come together as a conquering church and take back what was lost by Adam and was restored by Jesus Christ, the Second Adam.

According to Genesis 1:26, God gave dominion on earth to Adam.

But Satan, a fallen angel who became the father of the night, lost the battle in Heaven and hopes to win the battle on Earth.

He came to the Garden of Eden as a serpent and tempted Adam and Eve to sin; therefore, they turned dominion over to him and became his slaves.

But this dominion, legally lost by Adam, was righteously regained by Jesus Christ!

Adrian Rogers says, “God owes Satan nothing, but God owes everything to His own justice. Jesus Christ came to this Earth as the second Adam, to gain back what the first Adam lost.”

It was lost by a man, and it was legally restored by a man: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

Satan tried to tempt Jesus to sin as he had tempted Adam (Luke 4), but Jesus defeated Him by the Word of God. At Calvary, when Jesus died and was buried, the devil believed he had won. But three days later, Jesus walked out of the grave and brought back dominion that had been lost.

Finally, this dominion has been gloriously given to the Church.

Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He raised us up as well. The devil wants to keep us in the dark so that we never see the incredible power we’ve been given. But when we finally recognize it, all Heaven will break loose.

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “The same weapons that belonged to Adam in the Garden of Eden were the weapons that Jesus Christ used in the wilderness.” Spend some time in Scripture, dwell on the Word of God, exercising your dominion, rightfully restored by Jesus Christ.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 4:23-24

We were created to worship God; it is life’s greatest privilege and supreme duty to worship Him. It is the act of worship, and coming together as a worshiping Church that transforms our lives from monotonous to momentous.

First, we must understand the meaning of true worship.

John 4:23-24 says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

In this passage, Jesus explained to a Samaritan woman what worship is, and how it differs from the religion she was accustomed to.

Adrian Rogers says, “We don’t have to have enthusiastic heresy, or lifeless orthodoxy. …It’ll be a great day in any church when you stop enduring religion and start enjoying true worship.”

Worship is a response of gratitude to all that God has revealed Himself to be, through Jesus Christ.

Second, we must understand the motive of true worship, and why God is seeking worshippers.

We become like what we worship. This is why it’s important to know exactly who we are worshipping, because if we do not worship Almighty God, we will be susceptible to worship anything else.

Not only does God seek worshippers for what it does for us, but also for what it does for Him. Our praise gives Him pleasure as our Father; He yearns for our devotion and our honor.

Finally, we must understand the method of true worship: both in spirit and truth.

When Jesus says to worship God in spirit, He is referring to our innermost being. If our spirit is dead or warped, we can’t truly worship. Our praise must come from an honest place.

But we must also remember to worship in truth; our emotions cannot dictate our praise—there must be an intelligent worship.

Adrian Rogers says, “Your worship will never rise higher than your knowledge of God.”

Spirit and truth go together; we honor God by actively praising with our spirit and seeking truth in His Word.

Apply it to your life

The ultimate privilege is to love God and worship Him in spirit and truth. Today, love Him passionately with all your heart, selflessly with all of your soul, and thoughtfully with your mind.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:7-8

There is no substitute for prayer, and a church is only as useful as her prayer life. The devil cannot keep God from answering our prayers, so he tries to keep us from asking. But our Lord has commanded us to pray.

Adrian Rogers says, “The greatest problem that you have in your life is not unanswered prayer; the greatest problem is unasked prayer.”

Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

These are the words of Jesus—an undeniable, impeccable promise to a praying church.

God already knows our needs before we ask. We pray, not to impress or inform Him, but to invite Him into our circumstances. God wants us to abide in Him, and prayer teaches us to depend on Him.

This passage reminds us first to ask and express our desires to God.

There is no division between spiritual things we should ask for and secular things we shouldn’t. We can’t consider some things too big or too small for God to answer. Whatever our desires may be, if they are something we can ask God’s help for, we should give them to God. Sometimes the answer is direct.

Secondly, we’re reminded to seek and expect direction from God.

Sometimes, God’s ways are unknown to us, so His answers are different from what we expect. What we ask for is not what God wants us to have. As we seek God, He will direct our prayers over time so that we will ask for the right things.

Finally, this passage tells us to knock and exercise determination with God.

We cannot give up too easily; we must remember that sometimes, God’s answers are delayed and we must be persistent. We should only stop knocking after we have an answer in hand or in our hearts, or if God says “no.” Until then, we must ask, seek, and continue knocking, inviting God into our lives, one prayer at a time.

Apply it to your life

Is there something in your heart and mind that you’ve been afraid to pray for? Freely ask God, seek Him, and continue knocking. He is faithful to answer, whether directly, differently, or delayed.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: John 14:12

A Spirit-filled Church does not just organize and process members—it empowers and equips believers to be transformed by Scripture.

John 14:12 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

The Exciting Program

This passage reveals that as a Church, we are not only to do the works of Jesus, but also to exceed the works of Jesus. We won’t walk on water, but we will multiply the kingdom by leading people to Jesus.

Adrian Rogers says, “Bringing a soul to Jesus Christ is greater than raising a man from the dead.” There is no substitute for evangelism; the Church is to share the Gospel with others.

The Explicit Promise

We also remember our explicit promise: that God will answer our prayers. Prayer is not preliminary to our work; it is the work. To do the greater works that Jesus commands us to do, we must labor in prayer. This requires the right people praying, with the right power, for the right purpose.

The Expected Practice

Third, this passage reminds us that we’re expected to keep God’s commandments. (See John 14:15.) We are expected to obey the Lord if we love Him. We are all called to be witnesses to what God has done for us; it is simple, but there is no cheap or easy way to do it.

The Exceeding Power

To do all of this, we need the exceeding power of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16 says, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever…”

Adrian Rogers says, “The Holy Spirit is Christ in the Christian.” In the Holy Spirit, we have a Great Comforter who empowers and strengthens us. We are never left to do these greater works alone; He is with us and within us.

Each Christian life is a culmination of three miracles: salvation through Jesus, the hope of His Second Coming, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for daily living.

Apply it to your life

To be a Spirit-filled Church, each one of us must be filled with the Holy Spirit; are you being obedient to the Lord? Are you seeking to multiply the Kingdom by winning souls to Jesus?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Nehemiah 4

Anyone who does something in the name of the Lord will face spiritual warfare. This is why a steadfast church is bound to be attacked by the enemy.

Our enemy is very methodical. But the Holy Spirit is our ally. Not only can we know the enemy’s methods, but we can also stand against them.

In the Book of Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, despite spiritual opposition. We can clearly see the enemy’s tactics at work in Nehemiah 4.

First, he tries derision.

He mocked Nehemiah and his team, calling them feeble, futile, and foolish. The devil will try to laugh us away from our purpose.

If that doesn’t work, he’ll try discouragement.

About halfway through any big task, we’ll find we are discouraged by fatigue or frustration. This is on purpose; we must stay on track.

Next, the devil tries dismay.

He will use physical intimidation to scare us. But when threatened, Nehemiah and his team remembered the Lord and resisted the enemy; they continued to build and stood ready to battle at the same time. (See Nehemiah 4:18.)

The devil will also attack with discord and division.

We cannot let Satan drive a wedge in our fellowship. Whenever we stand for things within the church body, they must be for the right purpose, in the right spirit, at the right time.

Adrian Rogers says, “If you are wise, you’ll always be a part of the solution, never a part of the problem.”

Next, he tries to distract us.

Satan’s motivation never changes; if he seems to be reasoning with us, it’s a diversion tactic. He is not our friend; we must keep our eyes on the Lord and continue serving Him.

Finally, as he did with Nehemiah, the enemy will defame us among our peers and criticize our motives.

When we live for Jesus, we will be slandered. We must never listen to any slander about another child of God. It is all garbage.

Isaiah 54:17 says, “’No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord.”

Apply it to your life

Christians: don’t be afraid of the enemy’s attacks. Commit to doing good work—a child of God is always building and battling at the same time.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 21:12

Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is not getting Man out of Earth into Heaven; it is getting God out of Heaven into Man.”

When we were saved, we became temples of the living God. God has come to dwell within us forever. But while God will not move out, He will clean house. If we are truly His, God will do a cleansing work on our hearts.

Matthew 21:12 says, “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers...”

In this passage, we can clearly see the temple had been profaned. The money-changers were dishonest in their dealings, stealing from the people in God’s house.

Our bodies are now the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We were saved to bring Him glory. We must ask ourselves: are we glorifying God with what we watch, listen to, consume, say, and do?

Matthew 21 also shows how Jesus purged the temple. Jesus will not live in a dirty house. As He drove the money-changers out with a whip, He will purge the junk out of our lives through chastisement.

This is not a joyful process, but it is necessary for our holiness. Sometimes rather than chastisement, God will cause disruption. When He overturns tables, pay attention.

Finally, this passage brings us back to the purpose of the temple. The temple is a place of prayer. In Matthew 21:13 Jesus says: “My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you’ve made it a den of thieves.”

We must be in the habit of praying without ceasing; the incense in our hearts should be rising all the time, praying about everything.

The temple is also a place of power; the blind and broken came for healing at the temple. God performed miracles in the temple, and this is merely an illustration of the greater things God wants to do through us: win souls for Him.

Finally, as day follows night, a place of prayer becomes a place of praise. Not only do we praise Him, but others will see His work in our lives and praise Him, too.

Apply it to your life

Is your body a temple for the living God? Are you glorifying God with your body? What is there in your life that would cause somebody else to praise God?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 18:39-45

Revival is when God shows Himself to be present in the midst of His people. Revival is often visualized as fire falling down, but after the cleansing fire comes the cooling flood.

In 1 Kings, the prophet Elijah prayed earnestly for drought in the land in judgment of sin. After God cast His judgment on the land through a three-year drought, Elijah prayed again, this time for rain.

1 Kings 18:39-41 says, “Then Elijah said to Ahab, “‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.’”

The position of Elijah’s prayer was integrity and sincerity.

The person behind the prayer was a man of integrity; his heart was clean and pure. Sometimes, sin in our lives can prevent us from getting answers to our prayers. We must each strive to be people of integrity.

Elijah also prayed with a sincere heart. He did not pray to be seen by others; he got alone with God to pray. (Se 1 Kings 18:41.) We must be careful not to put our prayer life on display; it is not a show for all to see. Sincerity comes when we get alone with God.

We also see the posture of Elijah’s prayer.

Though he was bold as a lion, Elijah did not strut in the presence of God. He humbly bowed before the Lord. Elijah’s passionate prayer also revealed his fervency. He didn’t settle for little platitudes; he recognized the labor of true, fervent prayer. It takes work; in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed until He sweated blood.

Note the persistence of Elijah’s prayer.

Elijah’s persistence revealed a character of consistency. In 1 Kings 18:43, Elijah sends his servant to the mountaintop to look for rain: “And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’”

Sometimes the Lord, in His wisdom, waits; we must keep praying as we wait. As we are waiting and praying, these characteristics will begin to take root, and God will give us the victory.

Adrian Rogers said, “If we pray like Elijah, who prayed down fire from Heaven, then we can pray down the floods.”

But we will not have the flood until after the fire—until we judge our sin.

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers said, “Have faith in God when your prayers aren’t answered. Your earnest plea He will never forget. Wait on the Lord. Trust His Word and be patient. Have faith in God.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Acts 24:24-27

Many of us struggle with procrastination, but do we realize that is doing great damage to us? Do we ever grasp the true problem of procrastination? Adrian Rogers tells us, “Procrastination is more than the thief of time, it is the grave of opportunity and it may be the road to hell.”

There are a few reasons people reject the Gospel upon hearing it. Perhaps the most common reason is procrastination. They put it off, thinking that they will have plenty of time to receive Christ later on. That’s the case in Acts 24. In this passage, Paul is a prisoner of Caesarea and the Roman judge, Felix calls for him to answer questions he has about Jesus Christ. Paul preaches a Christ-centered message, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit is so strong, Felix trembles. Felix was at the threshold of salvation, but then he did something that so many people do: he said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for you.” (Acts 24:25)

There are three things we can learn from Felix’s procrastination.

First, see the sermon that convicted Felix.

Here was a sinful man whose heart was in need of a Savior. Paul did not back down. He delivered a message, first concerning God’s standard of righteousness. Then he discussed Felix’s self-control, and the judgment of God to come.

See, also the pressures that confronted him.

When the Holy Spirit convicted Felix, the devil moved in to confront him. There were three mighty forces that warred against this man’s soul—the world, the flesh, and the devil. These are three enemies we all face, and sometimes, like Felix, they cause us to retreat.

Finally, see the presumption that condemned Felix.

Acts 24:27 reveals that Felix never received Christ. Felix made three tragic assumptions:

-that convenience will come,

-that conviction from the Holy Spirit would continue, and

-that conflicts would cease.

But he forgot as many of us do… tomorrow may never come.

Adrian Rogers says, “Tomorrow you will have more sin to repent of. And tomorrow you will have a harder heart to repent with.”

Apply it to your life

Do you have trouble with procrastination? Is it harming you more than it should? Don’t wait until tomorrow to repent of your sins; do it right now!