Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Galatians 1:6-12

Man has three great enemies: sin, sorrow, and death. There is no answer to these problems apart from Jesus Christ.

In Galatians 1:6, Paul questions why the Galatian church has deserted the Gospel of grace and followed a “different” Gospel.

This specific, social gospel these believers bought into had to do with self-effort and good works. But the true Gospel reminds us it is the grace of God alone that saves us from our sins.

To understand the Gospel of grace, we must see the satanic opposition.

Satan fought against grace. Satan has no raw materials; he perverts the good that already exists. If he can convince us to accept a synthetic gospel, we’ll never see our need for the real Gospel.

Second, we see the settled origin of the Gospel: God taught it.

Galatians 1:11-12 says, “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Adrian Rogers says, “The Gospel is not man’s invention; it comes by divine revelation.”

We cannot bring human ingenuity, wit, or wisdom against the Gospel. It does not matter how we feel; what God says is the only thing that counts. We do not need a “new, modern” gospel for the new, modern age; the Gospel of grace is settled.

Third, we see the sacrificial obtainment of the Gospel: Jesus bought it.

The Gospel of grace was purchased by the blood of Jesus The true Gospel is centered on Christ alone—His death, burial, and resurrection. He is the only way to salvation.

Fourth, we notice the saving operation of the Gospel: Grace wrought it.

Grace is what caused God to love us while we were sinners. It is a seeking, saving, and securing grace. This grace is sufficient and surviving; it will never run out or fade away.

Finally, we see the singular obsession with the Gospel: Paul taught it.

In a world obsessed with what others think of us, we should become like the Apostle Paul, who was solely interested in pleasing Jesus.

Apply it to your life

Do you believe in the Gospel of grace? Remember, the only true Gospel is the one centered on Jesus Christ. Do not spend your time concerned with pleasing men; focus on pleasing God.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37

Few things are as debilitating as worry; it will take the blue out of your sky and the joy out of your heart. Psalm 37 explains why it is important to know we are too blessed to be stressed.

First, we must trust in the Lord when resources vanish.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3).

Sometimes, God will put us in a place where we don’t have any option other than to trust in Him. When we don’t have anywhere else to go but to the Lord, we will learn that Jesus is all we need. He is enough. He has promised to meet our needs, if only we will seek Him first. (See Matthew 6:33.)

Second, we must delight in the Lord when dreams dissolve.

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

If we put our joy in our finances, circumstances, or other people, it can be threatened. These things can go away in an instant. But when our source of joy is in the Lord, it cannot be threatened. We will find that the innermost needs of our hearts are met.

Adrian Rogers says, “You want to know everything you have that really counts? You add up everything you have that money can’t buy and death can’t take away.”

Third, we must commit our ways to the Lord when our lifestyle is threatened.

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Lifestyles are bound to change throughout our lifetimes, based on our ways of life, our reputations, and our careers.

Our standard of living may change, but our standard of life never changes. We will find that when we give everything to Him in total trust, our worries decrease significantly.

Finally, we must rest in the Lord when God seems slow to act.

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...” (Psalm 37:7). Here, rest means to be silent before the Lord, waiting patiently for Him to act. Patience comes once we’ve learned to commit, delight, and trust.

Apply it to your life

Have you learned to commit, delight, trust, and rest before the Lord? Consider Psalm 37 today, and pray that God would begin to work in your heart.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Luke 22:31-34

Luke 22 tells the story of one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples, Peter, on the darkest night of his life.

Peter was known to argue when he should have listened. He boasted when he should have leaned on the Lord. He slept when Jesus asked him to pray. And he fought when he was supposed to love. But Jesus loved Peter, even in his disobedience, and eventually, in his denial. We know this because after the darkest night of his life, Peter saw the dawning of a new day.

The night Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, Peter’s world was unraveling. Jesus was supposed to be Lord, now he is being sentenced to death? How could this be happening?

When recognized as a disciple of Jesus by the angry crowd, Peter fearfully denied knowing Jesus three times; then, a rooster crowed...

Luke 22:61 says, “And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord; how he had said unto him, before the (rooster) crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”

Peter remembered Jesus telling him this would happen: that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

Peter learned that God is still in control, even when it doesn’t seem so. Peter also learned the sympathetic compassion and steadfast commitment Jesus has toward His followers.

When we become children of God, Jesus commits Himself to us. We may stray, but if we are truly saved, God brings us back to Him.

The Bible says that Jesus prays for His believers, even to this day, (John 17:20-23) and is committed to praying for us even when we regress in our faith rather than progress. He convicts us of our sins so that we will not wander for long. And when we return to Him, He is faithful to forgive.

So what did Peter learn on one of the darkest nights of his life? That Jesus is still in control, He has compassion for us, and is committed to praying for us. Just as dawn broke once more for Peter, Jesus will see us through to a new day.

Apply it to your life

Have you been going through a long, dark night, wondering when the dawn will break? Take courage, God is with you! Worship Him in prayer and reading Scripture.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: James 1:2-13

Do you want to be strong, prosperous, and content? All of us do.

But do you want trials and tribulation? Most of us don’t.

There will be heartache in this life. That is guaranteed. And as any loving Father would, God wants us to overcome it with unexplainable joy and strength. That is why He tests His children, so that we may learn to endure. Don’t be afraid of God’s tests; they are not there to make us stumble, rather, to teach us to stand.

When we know this, there are a few things we discover when we learn to endure.

We might be surprised to find joy in our trials. James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Why do we count it all joy? Because overcoming Christians are joyful Christians. We know that pain is inevitable, but in trials, we learn that misery is optional.

We also grow exponentially when tribulation comes. James 1:4 says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The Greek word for “perfect” here doesn’t mean sinless —it means mature. Maturity comes with trials; as does enlightenment.

We learn many new things and obtain so much wisdom that roots us in an unshakeable faith.

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.” Endurance makes kings and queens out of the children of God. Adrian Rogers says, “If you do not bear the cross, you can’t wear the crown.” And when we learn to endure, we are brought to the place where we need nothing. We learn that there is no necessity that God is unable to meet.

God wants to give His children the real riches of life. And once we learn that our greatest gift from God is the ability to endure, we will see trials and tribulations as opportunities to do so.

Apply it to your life

Are you going through a trial or tribulation right now? Endure; thank God for His gifts and His grace, and pray for the strength to endure. Do not waste this pain. Use it to glorify God.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Joshua 7:1

God has planned a life of victory for each one of us, yet many Christians live in defeat. They have saved souls and lost lives. Defeat is possible, but not necessary.

Joshua 7 reminds us of the pitfalls of defeat we could face and the key to unbroken victory.

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan… of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel” (Joshua 7:1).

After a huge victory, the Israelites pitched tents outside of a fallen city. In the night, Achan snuck into the city and stole the goods which were dedicated to God. Having taken what belonged to God, he brought a curse upon himself and Israel.

This passage first tells us that great victories are often followed by great defeats.

Though one man’s sin led to the ultimate downfall, Israel was guilty of plenty. The people’s carelessness and prayerlessness revealed the pride in their hearts. They did not feel the need to pray before heading into battle, presuming God was with them.

But it was Achan’s sin of covetousness that caused them to fall, as he confessed himself, “I coveted… I took… I hid…” (see Joshua 7:21).

Adrian Rogers says, “Covetousness is an unlawful desire that grows in the soil of an unsatisfied heart.”

Second, private sin is never really private.

Achan’s sin dishonored God and brought defeat to his brothers. He disgraced his family and brought on the ultimate destruction to his loved ones, as they were stoned and burned with fire.

Our “hidden” sins do not just affect us; they affect everyone around us.

Third, every sin that we cover, God will uncover.

The things done in secret will be shouted from the rooftops. Whether by revelation, confession, or retribution, every sin must be judged.

Finally, every sin that we uncover, God will cover.

Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Adrian Rogers says, “The key to unbroken victory is not perfection; it is continual, perpetual confession, keeping your heart right where there is no unconfessed sin.”

Apply it to your life

Do you have any unconfessed sin in your heart? Bring it before God and ask for His forgiveness. Don’t live in defeat any longer; live in unbroken victory.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Judges 17:1-6

Our nation is in a battle for values; the morals and ethics that made this nation great are eroding before us.

Judges 17 shares an eerily similar sad case of vanishing values. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).

As a result, there were families without foundations.

In America today, we are drowning in religion, but none of it is rooted in biblical truth. Our families are morally and spiritually bankrupt. The ethical standard we’ve liberated ourselves from is what’s held society together.

There was also during the time of Judges a lack of principle in their pastors.

Those who preach the Gospel must live the Gospel, and there is an especially high standard for those in vocational ministry.

John 10:12 warns, “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees...”

Third, values vanish when the government separates itself from God.

Our generation wants what belongs to somebody else; we believe we have the right to take what doesn’t belong to us. We are motivated by greed, materialism, and selfishness. We are biblically instructed to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. But the Bible is also against the misappropriation of other people’s goods through covetousness and dissatisfaction.

Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible teaches that we are to worship God, love people, and use things. But what we do is worship things, use people, and forget God.”

Romans 1 gives clear warning to the nation whose values begin to vanish. Substituting science for God, practicing idolatry, and developing uncontrollable lusts of the flesh will lead to a death of conscience. The mind becomes morally useless, as every man does that which is right in his own mind.

We must know what the Bible says about values, be active members of a Bible-believing church, and pray for our nation.

Apply it to your life

We are in desperate need of a moral and spiritual revival. Begin by building your family on biblical values; get plugged into the ministry of a God-appointed church and pray for our nation.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Judges 13:24

Judges 13-16 tells the story of Samson, a Nazarite who was set aside by God for a purpose; He had been anointed with tremendous supernatural strength through the Holy Spirit. However, Samson was a bundle of contradictions. His story is not ultimately about his physical, mental, and spiritual strength; rather, it is about the high cost of low living.

Samson’s sin meant he dishonored his parents.

Samson’s parents were godly people; Samson fell into the wrong company and decided to marry a pagan girl despite his parents’ disapproval. Marrying someone who is not of the same faith almost always leads to disagreement, division, and confused children. Samson’s parents wanted more for him, but he settled for less.

Samson also deserted his promise. (See Judges 14:5.)

As he hung around the wrong crowd, he was hardened more and more by sin, forgetting his vow as a Nazarite.

He also distorted his purpose.

Samson’s strength was given to him to one day deliver Israel from the Philistines. Instead, he picked shallow fights with them, teasing his enemies and provoking them to anger.

Samson defiled his purity.

He wasted time with harlots without any conviction. (See Judges 14:16.)

He also diluted his power.

After breaking every other Nazarite vow up until this point, his uncut hair was the last vow. One prostitute, Deliliah, persistently begged to know the secret of his strength. When he told her, she relayed his secret to his enemies.

Samson disgraced his profession.

They cut his hair while he slept and his power was gone when he woke. The Spirit was gone from him; they blinded him and bound him. His series of small sins led to this tragic consequence.

Finally, he diminished his potential.

Now a spectacle in a Philistine temple, Samson repents of his sins and prays for strength one last time. God grants him enough of it to push the pillars over to kill the Philistines present, but Samson died with them.

By God’s sovereignty, Samson’s purpose was fulfilled, yet he could have been used for so much more. God’s mercy is new every day.

Adrian Rogers says, “While a child of God may not lose his salvation, he has so much to lose if he sins.”

Apply it to your life

Don’t play lightly with sin. Adrian Rogers says, “Treat sin like sin would treat you. Sin will have no mercy on you; don't have mercy on your sin.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Judges 9:8-15

The crisis of our nation concerns leadership. We are in desperate need of good, godly leadership.

Judges 9:8-15 tells the story of a pitiful politician and a nation in disarray. This passage addresses the three thorns in a nation’s side, and the way to righteous leadership.

The first thorn is the apostasy of an unthankful people.

In Judges 8, God brought confusion into the camps of Israel’s enemies and gave His people a mighty victory. Yet, just one chapter later, the Israelites had already forgotten Him and turned to other gods. (See Judges 8:33.)

This is more than just an issue of immorality—it is apostasy. This blatant act of turning from God is still happening today. Profanity is normalized and our children are desensitized; nothing shocks us anymore. Sin is socially acceptable, and godliness is stigmatized. The fixed standard of morality is long gone; it is only going to get filthier.

The second thorn is the arrogance of an ungodly leader.

In Judges 9, Abimelech rises with an unholy ambition to lead Israel. He builds a coalition, buys his constituents, and brutalizes his competition. His government was built on blood. However, he also had himself inaugurated with a show of religion. He tried to associate himself with godly things to fool others.

There are some politicians who follow this pattern, who would build their campaigns on deception.

Abimelech’s charade was accomplished through the apathy of uncommitted bystanders, which is the third thorn of the nation.

As Edmond Burke says, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” When we buy into the niceties and luxuries of the sweet-talking politicians, we will find it difficult to root out the brambles of their unmet responsibilities. We must examine our leaders’ intentions with thought and care.

Despite the despair of these passages, there was hope for Israel, just like there is hope for us.

Adrian Rogers says, “The Book of Judges is not just what God has said; it is what God is saying.”

God would rather forgive than judge. Even though our national sins are egregious, He is still a God of mercy; we must never lose hope for revival and restoration in our nation.

Apply it to your life

Pray for revival in our nation today, beginning with you; pray for God to raise up leaders who live to serve Him.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Judges 11

There is a great and present need for men of character, integrity, and strength. Judges 11 tells the story of Jephthah, a mighty man of valor, who is an inspiration for all who want to be men and women of strength.

First, he was a man of character in the face of difficulty:

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah” (Judges 11:1).

Jephthah’s undesirable origin as a harlot’s son meant he did not have any sort of upper hand in life, yet he rose to the occasion.

We must become unshackled by our pasts and quit making excuses for sin. When we stop blaming our circumstances, we will finally rise to be what we ought to be.

Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible teaches that guilt is real, that we are responsible; the Bible also teaches that grace is wonderful and forgiveness is free and full.”

Jephthah also exhibited confidence in the face of danger.

Assigned commander of the Israelite army, Jephthah was not fazed by his foes or fettered by his fear, because his confidence was in God. Before the battle ever began, Jephthah prayed to the Lord and asked for strength. (See Judges 11:11.) It was not a last resort, rather, a first thought.

Finally, we see Jephthah’s commitment in the face of disappointment.

Judges 11:29-33 describes the vow Jephthah made to God, that if God gave them victory, Jephthah would devote or sacrifice the first thing to meet him upon his arrival home.

God gave him the victory; when he returned home, his daughter was the first one out to greet him.

The Bible condemns human sacrifice. (Deuteronomy 12:31.) The Spirit of God would never lead Jephthah to contradict the Word of God. Rather, Jephthah devoted his virgin daughter to never marry and always serve the Lord. Jephthah kept his word, though it meant his lineage would end with her.

Any righteous or holy vow he makes, a man of strength keeps it no matter the cost.

Apply it to your life

If Jephthah’s story tells us anything, it is how crucial it is to be people of prayer. Focus on your prayer life today. Men of strength are men of faith; and it is impossible to have faith if you are not a man of prayer.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Judges 4:1-3

The Book of Judges tells us all about Israel’s cycle of sin—sinning against God, suffering for it, asking God for deliverance, and receiving it. But God would rather bless than judge; He is a God of mercy who desires to help us in our distress.

Adrian Rogers says, “Don’t ever get the idea that you can sin successfully. Don’t ever get the idea that you can trust in God in vain. Sin can’t win and faith can’t fail.”

In Judges 4, we see this in action, as God used the faith of Deborah and Barak to deliver all of Israel from her wicked enemy, Sisera.

First, we identify the woman God chose.

Deborah, a judge and prophetess in Israel, was a godly woman who used her gifting and wisdom to minister to Barak. God still uses women like Deborah to use their gifts and talents in ministry.

Second, we see the warrior God called.

There was a battle to be fought to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors. God chose Barak to lead the charge, because his faith was rooted in the God of Israel and he lived as he believed.

Third, we recognize the wonder God caused.

Judges 4:14 says, “Then Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?’ So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.”

Barak and his army did not stand a chance against the Canaanites’ flashy weaponry and 900 iron chariots. But the fight was fixed, for the stars themselves fought the battle. (See Judges 5:20.) Before the battle began, God sent a rainstorm to soften the ground. This rendered the chariots useless and weighed down the Canaanites’ heavy armor.

Adrian Rogers says, “God lined the stars up behind Barak. God lined the whole Universe behind him. The whole Universe is against the man who is against God. The whole Universe is behind the man who’s for God.”

When we love and serve God, God is on our side and programs us for victory.

Apply it to your life

Every day, we face battles even more real than the one on Mount Tabor. As we face spiritual warfare and principalities and powers of darkness, we must act as men and women of faith.