Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:1

The Bible is a love story in many ways, but it is also a great mystery. There are hidden truths in the Bible that cannot be known by human wisdom.

Jesus was the master teacher. He taught in parables—earthly stories with heavenly meanings—which are meant to both reveal and conceal. The meek, the teachable and guidable, could understand, while the scholars could not.

Matthew 13:3-9 explains the parable of the sower. There are three basic components of this story: the seed, the sower, and the soil.

The seed is the quick and powerful Word of God, pulsating with life and energy. The sower is Jesus—the Son of Man who sows the Word in people’s hearts. The main emphasis of the parable is on the soil, which represents the hearts of men and women. Some receive the seed, while others don’t. Yet, the Gospel does not fail; there is nothing wrong with the seed—the problem is always the soil.

First, there is the soil with no reception.

“And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them” (Matthew 13:4). The “wayside” is often described as stone, meaning this heart is too hardened to receive the seed, and therefore, will not understand it.

There’s also the soil that receives the seed, but it does not take root.

Matthew 13:5-6 describes a seed that sprouts too early in the shallow dirt and withers in the sun. This represents those who live in the realm of emotion—who are moved by spiritual things but are not truly changed. They are likely to abandon their faith the moment they face a trial.

Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is the deepest work of God; God doesn’t do the deepest work in the shallowest part.”

There’s also the seed scattered among thorns that has no room to sprout. (See Matthew 3:7.)

This represents those who want to add Jesus Christ onto their lives but aren’t willing to have their lives changed. They leave their rival crop undisturbed, giving Jesus no room.

But thank God there is a fourth kind of soil:

the one with no refusal—a heart wide open for the Word to take root.

Apply it to your life

Has God’s Word taken root in you? Are you scattering His Word among the soil? Don’t stop to test the soil—just scatter the seed.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 1:15-23

God created man and woman to have dominion and rule over this Earth. Once we understand this, we can claim what was lost by Adam and restored by Jesus, the conquering 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. God was dethroned in their hearts, and Satan began to reign.

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

Dominion 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 (see Luke 4), but Jesus defeated Him by the Word of God.

Adrian Rogers says, “The first Adam lost it all in a garden; the last Adam won it all back in the wilderness.”

The second battle began 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 those who believe in Jesus Christ.

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 of 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: Matthew 12:42

In the Old Testament, King Solomon was the apex of all greatness, wealth, and wonder.

In Matthew 12, Jesus was criticized and judged by the Pharisees. In response, He said, “The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.”

By all appearances of class, wealth, and status, Jesus, a carpenter’s son, did not compare to Solomon, son of King David. But the truth is, our great Savior is infinitely greater than Solomon.

First, Jesus is greater than Solomon in wisdom.

Having written the Book of Proverbs, Solomon was a man known for his wisdom, but it did not satisfy him. Solomon’s wisdom about life, nature, and direction did not compare to Jesus’ lordship over life, nature, and direction.

Adrian Rogers says, “You can have a full head and an empty heart.”

Jesus is also greater than Solomon in His works.

Solomon built a temple for the Lord and hosted feasts. But Jesus is building the Kingdom, setting a table, and turning us, His people, into living temples of God.

Third, Jesus is greater in His workers.

Solomon’s servants were notably happy, dressed, and nourished like wealthy men. But as workers of Jesus Christ, we’ve received infinitely more, therefore, we are greater in joy and dedication.

Jesus is greater than Solomon in His wealth.

No one had ever seen a man as wealthy as Solomon. Yet, the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Jesus; every star in the sky is His. This is His world; and as His followers, He has left us great spiritual riches no money can buy.

Jesus is greater in worth and worship.

Solomon built the temple to lead his people in worship. Jesus sits upon the eternal throne in Heaven and He will never dispossess it.

Finally, Jesus is greater than Solomon in His wonder.

When the queen of Sheba saw everything Solomon had done, she was filled with awe and amazement. Jesus is even more wonderful; we could never articulate or describe His wonder.

Apply it to your life

Do you worship our great Savior, who is greater than any before Him, who reigns for all eternity? Spend some time in Scripture today and thank Him for saving you.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Job 9

Many of us wonder why bad things happen to good people. But the real question is: How can good things happen to bad people?

Sin cannot be explained away by weakness or illness; man is a sinner by birth and by practice. We are too sinful to lift ourselves up to God, and He is too holy to lower Himself down to be only a man.

The only way a holy God and sinful men can come together is through Jesus, the God-man, our Mediator.

Job 9:2 says, “Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?”

After experiencing disaster and loss, Job’s three friends came to him, asking the right questions, but giving the wrong answers.

The first man, Eliphaz, spoke of a seducing spirit that appeared to him in a dream and gave him a satanic revelation to pass onto Job. (See Job 4:12-17.) Like Eliphaz’s experience, New Ageism, cults, and false doctrine run rampant today, spreading deceit. If we are neutral, we open ourselves up to demonism.

The second friend, Bildad, spoke of humanism and sophisticated reason. (See Job 8:10.) He suggested that for Job to understand what he was going through, he needed to study the ancient wisdom and philosophers of the ages. Nowadays, those like Bildad point to the scientists and evolutionists for answers. These empty ideas are not only wrong but also poisonous.

Job’s final friend, Zophar, suggested that the answer is legalism. (See Job 11.) Like Zophar, a lot of religious people will turn to sterile ritualism and self-reformation to try to be right with God.

But Job recognized his real need for a mediator. He saw his need for Jesus before he even knew his name.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 says, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time…”

Jesus was a qualified mediator: being both God and Man.

Adrian Rogers says, “As much a man as if not God at all… as much God as if not a man at all. Not half-God and half-man, but all God and all man, never another like Him, the God-man.”

Apply it to your life

Have you accepted Jesus, the God-man, our mediator? Do you see your need for Him, and seek Him first in times of need?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Luke 15

Adrian Rogers says, “A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”

In Luke 15, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ criticism with three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. In these three stories, we see how much God loves us, and why Jesus is a friend of sinners.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).

Sheep are dumb and defenseless; they are completely dependent on shepherds to protect them from predators. They can't find their way home. In spiritual terms, we are very much like sheep.

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?” (Luke 15:8).

A coin is meant to be spent or treasured, but one that is lost is worthless and unprofitable. This coin was lost in darkness, dirt, and disgrace. Likewise, we were created to know, love, and serve God; when we are lost, we are worthless.

“...A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood…” (Luke 15:11-12).

In this final parable, Jesus begins the story of the lost son. After he received his inheritance and squandered it, there was a deep depression in the land. As a result, the son was broke; he was degraded to feeding pigs in a foreign country, which brought great dissatisfaction.

Like this lost son, we’ve gone astray and find ourselves desperate and spiritually starving.

These parables not only explain the sinful nature of Man, but they also reveal the saving nature of God. Jesus Christ is the shepherd who rescues the lost sheep. The woman searching for her lost coin represents the Holy Spirit. God our Father is the father running to receive his prodigal son.

God loves us; He is the Good Shepherd seeking us. He is the Holy Spirit shining light upon us. And He is the Father with arms open wide, welcoming us home.

Apply it to your life

Have you been rescued, revealed, and received by God? Worship God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit today. Let Him begin a good work in your heart.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Joshua 20:1-3

Jesus Christ is the hero of the Bible; every book, every illustration is about Him. If we look closely, we see He stands in the shadows of the Old Testament; when we do, every detail of Scripture is given a new meaning.

In Joshua 20, God instructs Joshua to explain the cities of refuge to His people:

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood’” (Joshua 20:2-3).

These six cities of refuge are highly symbolic and teach us more about Jesus, the Sinner’s Refuge.

Hebrews 6:18 says, “...we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us…”

There is great significance in the names of these six cities, which reflect Jesus Christ.

-Kedesh means a place of holiness. Above all things, Jesus Christ is holy.

-Shechem means shoulder or support. We are carried on the shoulders of our Savior, who gives us strength.

-Hebron means fellowship; it speaks of Christ, our satisfaction, and the divine joy of fellowship with Him.

-Bezer means stronghold or fortification; Christ is our security, the One who keeps us.

-Ramoth means exalted; it speaks of Christ our sovereign, the One whom we worship.

-Golan means separate; after Jesus, we are not the same. Through sanctification, we are made new day by day.

God wanted people to have safety and refuge, so He strategically placed the six cities throughout Israel. The roads were clear and level with signage that pointed travelers in the right direction.

Likewise, Jesus has made a way to Himself; our City of Refuge is always near. He is closer than our next breath, for everyone who confesses He is Lord and believes in Him can be saved. (See Romans 10:13.) It is not enough to be near the city of refuge: we must enter in and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “To be almost saved is to be altogether lost.”

If you are inside the city of refuge, thank God for Christ our salvation, strength, and satisfaction. If you’re not, come in today; receive Jesus Christ. Warn and educate friends and tell them about the city of refuge.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Genesis 18:13-14

In Genesis 18, God promises the barren Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age. This was so unbelievable, so miraculous, that when she heard this promise, Sarah laughed. In verse 13 she says, “‘Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?”

Sarah’s question prompts an even greater question from God in verse 14: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Jeremiah 32:17 answers this question beautifully: “...Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm. There is nothing too hard for thee.”

Consider the majesty of God’s limitless power:

-There is no promise too hard for God to fulfill.

-There is no prayer too hard for God to answer.

-There is no problem too big for God to solve.

-There is no person too hard for God to save.

Yet, if there’s nothing too hard for God, why doesn’t it happen? Because men limit God. Psalm 78:41 says, “Yeah, they turned back and tempted God and limited the Holy One of Israel.”

How is it possible for the Creator to be limited by his creature? Because He allows it; He allows Himself to be chained and bound, restricted from working in our lives.

We chain Him with our unwillingness. God will not force Himself upon you. He wants to bless you, but you must be willing to receive it.

We chain Him with unconcern. When we are completely indifferent, it breaks His heart, because He cannot move in an apathetic life.

We chain Him with unreasonableness, our prejudices, pre-conceived ideas. We do not want to give up our dirt for His diamonds.

We chain Him with uncleanliness. Unconfessed, un-repented of sin keeps God from blessing us and working with us.

We chain Him with our unbelief. Adrian Rogers says, “Faith is the channel through which the risen Lord pours His life into you. But you will tie His hands by unbelief. Faith is the key that causes the shackles to fall from the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Apply it to your life

Have you ever limited the Lord’s work in your life? Have you chained Him with unwillingness, unconcern, unreasonableness, uncleanliness, or unbelief? Examine your heart and your life today and choose to unleash God’s limitless power in your own life.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 33:11-16

It is not enough to casually know about God; we were created to know God intimately and to enjoy Him personally. Yet many believers will settle with feeling infatuated with His works, and never know Him face-to-face.

Adrian Rogers says, “To know about God is to see God’s works; to know God intimately is to know God’s way.”

In Exodus 33:11-16, Moses demonstrates the beauty of knowing God intimately, seeing beyond an infatuation with His works to know His ways.

To know God intimately brings tranquility and peace to our troubled souls.

“And He said, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14). If we only see God outwardly—His miraculous works—we will live with worry. We often disappoint ourselves when He doesn’t act how we think He should. But knowing God’s ways helps us recognize His presence in every situation, and that is what gives us rest.

Knowing God intimately also gives us stability in our lives.

By nature, feelings of infatuation are fickle. But Christians who seek the unchanging heart of God have stability in their faith, no matter their circumstances.

Finally, knowing God intimately is necessary for victory.

In Exodus 33, the Israelites had strayed in their devotion to God, and Moses was interceding on their behalf. He begged for God’s mercy, and in response, God promised His protection and provision, but He would not be with them.

It is frightening to know we can have God’s protection and provision without His presence. Seeing how easy it is to be satisfied in worldly things, we cannot take anything as a substitution for knowing God intimately.

We cannot know God intimately by human reason. We know Him by directly dealing with Him, turning to Him in every circumstance or difficulty.

Adrian Rogers says, “To know Him is to love Him; to love Him is to trust Him. To trust Him is to obey Him; to obey Him is to be blessed, and to be blessed is to be a blessing.”

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “You cannot know God by hearing sermons about knowing God; you can’t know anybody that you don’t spend time with.”

Don’t take anything as a substitute for knowing God intimately. Turn to Him today, and spend some intimate time in His Word.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Where do wars come from? James 4 claims that men wage war against one another due to the war within ourselves. Furthermore, this inner war is proof of war with God. People are not at peace within themselves; this is why they cannot be at peace with anyone else.

Until we are right with God, we will be troublemakers and not peacemakers. We must understand the priority of peacemaking.

First, we must consider the attributes of peace.

Peace is not appeasement. In fact, appeasement never brings peace. Adrian Rogers says, “There is something desperately wrong with the person who can get along with everybody.”

Though the Bible says to be at peace with all men if it is possible (Romans 12:18), this is not always possible. Jesus Christ, Himself, did not get along with everybody. We will be known by the enemies we make.

Adrian Rogers says, “Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self, and guides us in a right relationship with other people.”

Second, we must recognize the adversary of peace, which is sin.

Sin brings inner turmoil because it separates men from God. There can be no peace without the Prince of Peace. Jesus will never make a truce with sin. Jesus came to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness.

Matthew 10:34 says, "Think not that I've come to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace but a sword.”

When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness, there can be no godly peace. And the sword that Jesus has is like a scalpel: it must first hurt before it heals.

Peace has been planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and provided by the Spirit. We are ambassadors and agents of peace, called to share the hope of reconciliation with a world in turmoil.

Apply it to your life

We are agents of peace. Share the hope of reconciliation with others today.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

It seems every institution nowadays is touched by scandal and problems, and underneath it all is an integrity crisis. This is why it is crucial that we are men and women of integrity, and we dare not leave home without it.

The definition of the word “integrity” has to do more with unity or singleness of the heart or mind. In this context, Matthew 5:8 means: “Blessed are those who have integrity, without divided hearts.” This is the principle of integrity: those who are single-minded, not double-souled, are blessed.

Integrity takes place in the heart, at our very core.

Our hearts are the control center of our emotions. When we speak of our hearts, we speak of total commitment. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

But on our own, our hearts are diseased, deceitful, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). The cause and desire to sin comes from within. All the diet and exercise in the world will not cure the spiritual disease of our hearts. In spite of any reformation on the outside, we've not dealt with the problem of the heart. Adrian Rogers says, “Everything that you see wrong in the world today has originated in the heart of men.”

God is the Great Doctor.

The good news is that God is faithful to make a formal diagnosis of our hearts. If we will let Him, He reviews our conditions and reveals what He finds on the inside. God allows circumstances to come into our lives to see how we will react because our reactions speak the loudest of what’s in our hearts. He is the one who transplants a new, pure heart in us.

Sin blinds us, and the world is desperate to see God. But it is only with a pure heart that we can receive the eyes of faith.

That is the promise of integrity: when we get our spiritual hearts right, our spiritual eyes will see God.

Apply it to your life

Matthew 6:22 says, “When your eye is single, your body will be full of light.” Are you a person of integrity? Do you have a single-minded heart, devoted to serving God?