Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Philippians 1:1-7; 2:1

A church is a family of people from all kinds of backgrounds, beliefs, and ideas who have found a unity in God.

One of the first examples of this family is the church of Philippi. In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul conveys that the grace of God has miraculously gathered together people of divergent backgrounds, beliefs, and ideas into the common denominator that is Jesus Christ.

Adrian Rogers says, “Because we have one Lord, we have one life. And because we have one Lord and one life, we have one love: the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are the forever family of God.”

See how the family began: through a supernatural formation. In Philippians, the Holy Spirit gathered together this vast spectrum of people—a Jewish philosopher, a new-ager, a prison guard and a feminist to name a few—through Holy intervention.

Each member of this forever family has a story of how they came to know Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives, and together they became the early church.

The Spirit guided the church of Philippi through discerning restraint, wise release, and powerful results that we still hear about today!

See how the family maintains a sweet fellowship. The word fellowship is the Greek word which means, "to have something in common." We have a common Lord, a common life, and a common love.

Going to church and sitting in the Sunday church service every week is not fellowship, it is observation. Fellowship is bonding with brothers and sisters in Christ and joining together to share the Gospel with others.

See how the family will remain with a sure future. We don't build churches. Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). And then in the Book of Philippians, Paul says, "Since He's the one who began it, I know He's the one who's gonna finish it."

The church is not a building. It is a family. And Jesus is the Builder of the church.

Apply it to your life

Are you an active member of your local church? It is so important to be involved in a church home, for your sake and for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for direction in where to go and how you can best support the fellowship of the church.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Genesis 2:18-24; 3:16

Adrian Rogers says, “The real test of your faith is not how you act at church, but how you behave at home.”

God gave us marriage and the home to meet the deepest emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of mankind. Marriage is the first institution that God created, and it was established in the Garden of Eden between Adam and Eve.

In order for us to put meaning into marriage, we must understand its purpose, partnership, and permanence.

Marriage is the closest bond to exist between two human beings. In the Garden, Adam was one-on-one with God; yet, in his heart there was still an unmet need and desire. So, God gave Adam a wife, Eve.

Adrian Rogers regards marriage as “the highest, the deepest, the most insoluble of all human relationships.”

God gave Eve to Adam to make up for what was lacking in Adam’s nature, and vice versa. She was to be his completer, not his competitor.

There are general differences between men and women designed to complement each other. These differences are not necessarily strengths and weaknesses. Rather, they are traits to contribute to the partnership. God made them different that He might make them “one”.

Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife.” The word cleave is a Hebrew word which means “to weld, or to glue.” When man and woman are married, they are “glued” to one another. They become a home, together, as one.

God’s equation for marriage is 1 + 1 = 1.

So, God’s principle to keep us from having broken homes rooted in broken marriages is this: Love is a choice. You choose to love. The emotion may follow, but love is a commitment. And if you don’t make that commitment, when a crisis comes you’re going to walk away.

How can we put meaning in our marriages? By recognizing the purpose, embracing the partnership, and respecting the permanence.

What God has joined together, let man never separate.

Apply it to your life

Love is a choice, a commitment. What ways can you choose to love your spouse today? Think about some ways you can honor your role in this partnership called marriage, and choose to act on them today.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: James 1:19; 3:5-8

Is it common to debate with your mate? Sure it is. Sometimes, spouses get into it. And sometimes, spouses stay in it.

The most important thing is not whether or not you have confrontations. It is how you handle them.

James 1:19 is a verse that changes duels into duets. It says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” Or, in simpler terms: “Tune in, tone down, sweeten up.”

Tune in: All communication begins with listening. Love your spouse with your ears.

Tone down: Learn the vicious power of the tongue. Words can give life, or they can rip everything to shreds. They can build a home, or they can burn it to the ground.

There are seven deadly games we often play with the tongue.

1. The Judge. We blame and condemn our partners.

2. The Professor. We act superior to our partners.

3. The Psychologist. We try to analyze our partners.

4. The Historian. We nitpick and overtly correct our partners.

5. The Dictator. We give unfair ultimatums to our partners.

6. The Critic. We criticize our partners.

The Preacher. We try to be the Holy Spirit to our partners.

7. It’s harmful to play these word games with our spouses.

Sweeten up: Resolve your hurts, do not dissolve your home.

Don’t practice avoidance. Confront the situation at hand. We tend to back off and retreat when things get heated, thinking that the problem will go away on its own. It doesn’t.

Don’t practice appeasement. To compromise is one thing; that’s where both give. But to appease is something else. One person dominates the issue and the other is left to internalize their feelings. This will result in a much bigger issue later.

Don’t practice aggression. No sarcasm, no bullying. The Bible says “speak the truth in love.”

Choose the right time to discuss, with the right tone, on the right turf. Learn to practice accommodation. Practice acceptance. Make an adjustment. It’ll be worth it.

Apply it to your life

Would you describe your marriage as a duel or a duet? Take these principles outlined in this message and prayerfully apply them to your life. As Adrian Rogers instructed: learn to practice accommodation. Practice acceptance. Make an adjustment. It’ll be worth it.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Song of Solomon 1:1-16

To be completely known and still be loved without fear of rejection is the supreme goal of marriage.

But how many marriages are on the rocks because of poor communication? According to many counselors, 100% of couples seeking marriage counseling are out of rhythm due to lack of communication.

God shows us in His Word how husbands and wives can communicate, and it is modeled in the Songs of Solomon: a book of love poems, exemplifying the music of marriage.

And as we eavesdrop on their conversation and observe the words said between these two lovers, we learn how they are used, and how they are received.

Their words are plentiful. Sixty percent of the book consists of two lovers speaking to one another directly and plentifully.

Their words are personal. They call each other by names only they know about, unique and individual, special in each other’s eyes.

Their words are positive. There is not one negative word of criticism in this book; nothing critical, no correction.

Their words are passionate. Their words for each other were full of life, rooted directly in their feelings.

Our words sustain our marriages. Our words repair hurt feelings. Our words grow love.

The problem here is that we believe words of love flow out of feeling. But most of the time, it is really that feeling that flows out of words.

Adrian Rogers says, “We need to work on this thing of intimacy in marriage, and I’ll tell you why. It gives an incredible freedom and it’s worth it. You’ll never arrive at perfection, but you need to make a start if you want to have a happy home.”

There is always room to improve communication as husband and wife. If you do not communicate, your marriage will disintegrate. The music of marriage is worth finding the rhythm.

Apply it to your life

Do you need to work on your communication skills with your spouse? Of course! If you aren’t progressing, you are regressing. Talk with your spouse. Watch your words carefully. Pray for wisdom to learn what he or she is feeling, as well as the patience to honor them as you both work toward completely knowing and loving each other, without the fear of rejection.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:1-9

God has given us a plan for the future and a future for the family. Yet, it seems this current generation is walking through a minefield. Think about the confusion kids are exposed to in today’s world: liberalism in the churches, humanism in the schools, and paganism in society.

They have lost their innocence, lost their ability to love—and they are losing their hope. They’ve stopped believing in the future.

And God’s answer to this epidemic is what it has always been: the family. God has promised a future for the family, and it starts with the parents.

Deuteronomy 6:3 says, “Hear, therefore, O Israel and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of your fathers promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.”

A foundation for the family is provided by God, and the blueprint is found in Scripture.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

The foundation for the family is a love for God. As simple as it sounds, it is true and profound.

Adrian Rogers says, “Now if you do not sincerely love God, you don’t have much of a chance of having a successful family. Many kids are turned off because they see that their parents, while they profess religion, they don’t love God with all of their heart.” Kids want to see their parents bring God into their family with a sincere, selfless, strong love.

And there is a formula for the family that is prescribed. God says that your faith is to go from you to your children. Teach them convincingly, creatively, consistently, conversationally, and conspicuously.

God has given us a promise of a future and a foundation upon which to build it. Love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength, and it will be well with you.

Apply it to your life

If you are raising children, know that it is one of the greatest responsibilities one could have! Today, talk to your family members about the Word of God. Apply the Bible to life situations. Those little ears are listening, and those eyes are watching.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 13:34

Perhaps our greatest human need is to be loved and to give love to someone else. Not only are we, as Christians, called to love others, but we are also called to exhibit a Christ-like love.

In John 13:34, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Christ-like love is selfless.

In a society based on self-love, self-help, and self-fulfillment, we are called to humble ourselves as Jesus did.

Adrian Rogers says, “The grace of God exalts a man without inflating him, and it humbles a man without debasing him. We don’t live in sinful exaggeration or false humiliation but in sober estimation.”

When we experience God’s grace, through faith, we are at peace within ourselves to show love to others in fellowship.

Christ-like love is also steadfast.

Nothing we can do will make God love us any more or any less. The cross of Jesus showed that His love could stand the test of trials and extreme pressure; it will never let us go, even until the very end.

Christ-like love serves.

As Jesus gave this commandment, He was performing the duties of a servant, washing His disciples’ feet—even those of Judas, who would betray Him later that night. Jesus practiced what He preached; He didn’t give the disciples what they deserved, but rather, what they needed.

Adrian Rogers says, “You can’t look down on people while you are washing their feet.”

Finally, Christ-like love is sanctifying.

In this passage, Jesus uses the example of foot-washing to symbolize sanctification. As Jesus washed the dirt from their feet, He spoke of the spiritual defilement in their lives so that they may understand what it meant to be cleansed from within.

Once we are saved, we are always saved—we are totally cleansed from the inside out, white as snow. But we live in a dirty, grimy world and sometimes we need to have our spiritual feet washed; this is called sanctification.

As Jesus demonstrates in this passage, we show love to each other by encouraging sanctification. We show this with humility, steadfastness, and service, just as Jesus did.

Apply it to your life

Do you exhibit a selfless, steadfast, serving, sanctifying love to others? As you study Scripture today, ask God to reveal ways for you to show Christ-like love to others.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 15:11

Do you know how to find joy? It seems many people spend their lives searching for it, yet they look in the wrong places. John 15:11 says, “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” The life of a Christian is to be a life of contagious joy.

Adrian Rogers says, “The joy of the Lord is indispensable in serving the Lord.” Yet, it is possible to know Jesus and not have this joy. Joy is not inevitable; it’s optional. What is this joy described in John 15, and how can we activate it in our lives as we follow Jesus?

We must first understand that this joy is supernatural in its source. This unparalleled, unmatchable joy comes from Jesus, Himself.

Because it is rooted in Jesus, and not in circumstances, this joy is steadfast in sorrow and triumphant in tribulation. Adrian Rogers says, “Happiness evaporates in the time of suffering. But joy is often deepened in the time of suffering because we come to depend upon the Lord.” It is lasting through losses and abundant through affliction.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “Having received the Word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghost.” This joy is not automatic; it doesn’t come once you believe in Jesus. Notice that in this passage, Jesus is speaking to those who abide in Him (John 15:5). Therefore, the secret to joy is simple: abide in Jesus.

Abiding in Jesus means:

1. A life of reliance upon Him. Like a branch relies on a vine for its life and fruit, we rely on Jesus for this joy.

2 A life of restfulness. John 15:9 says, “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in My love.” We can rest in knowing that His love and His power are continuous.

3. A life of relinquishment; a branch exists solely to bear fruit from the vine. Likewise, we exist for one purpose only: abiding in Jesus.

4. And finally, a life of rejoicing, because the fruit of reliance, rest and relinquishment is full joy.

Apply it to your life

Do you abide in the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you rely and rest in Him? Have you relinquished every other responsibility apart from abiding in Him?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: James 2:14-26

Adrian Rogers says, “There are only two kinds of religion in the world—works and grace: one spelled ‘do,’ the other spelled ‘done.’”

As Christians, we are saved by grace alone, through faith, not by works of any kind. Grace is the root of our salvation, but our works are the fruit of it—they are the evidence.

James 2:14 says, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” A dead faith is profitless; our works are not our justification before God, but they are how we demonstrate our faith before men.

Adrian Rogers says, “You are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” A dead faith is fruitless, a barren belief; if there is no fruit, the problem is at the root. Sometimes, the devil can be more orthodox than the Believer; he and all his demons believe in God, “and they shudder” (See James 2:19.).

We have to do more than just believe in God, we have to believe in the facts of faith and know the plan of salvation. A dead faith is lifeless, as James 2:17 says, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

A Christian is somebody who has the life of God; real faith produces works.

James also provides two very different examples of faith from the Old Testament:

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works, faith was made perfect” (James 2:21-22)?

“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way” (James 2:25).

Abraham was a righteous man of God and Rahab was a harlot, yet both are in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Our works do not earn our salvation, they reflect our belief; and if we are living as Christians, we have the hope of salvation in us.

Apply it to your life

Does your life reflect what you believe? Do your decisions reflect the hope of Jesus Christ in you?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 5:1

In these desperate days, we need a faith that will hold fast in times of trouble. When the winds of circumstances, storms of calamity, and floods of affliction come, we need faith like an anchor.

In Romans 5, we learn how God builds us up to have a rock-solid faith: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

First, God builds our rock-solid faith through our tribulations.

Tribulation means pressure; without pressure, we do not get stronger. We need the conflict; it may come from the enemy, or it may come from God, but God is over it all.

Adrian Rogers says, “Satan will bring conflict to cause you to stumble; God will bring conflict to cause you to stand.”

Pressure will come from the world; the moment we decide to become like Jesus, the world will try to squeeze us back into its mold. It can also come from the flesh; the “flesh” is the proclivity to sin that is still in us, even after salvation. Pressure also comes from the devil, himself; when we’re saved, we find out for ourselves just how powerful he can be.

But our conflict teaches us constancy. Our endurance is built through our ability to withstand pressure. When conflict comes, some retreat or resent, and others resign. But we should resolve to follow God through the conflict.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Constancy develops character; we grow the most when we face the hottest fires of affliction.

Finally, our faith takes its full effect. As our character develops hope, we gain godly confidence.

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Adrian Rogers says, “Hope is faith in the future tense; it believes God not only for the present, but it believes God for the future.”

Apply it to your life

Do you want to have a rock-solid faith in spite of stormy circumstances? Remember, conversion brings conflict, which brings constancy, which brings character, which brings hope and confidence.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 4:16-25

As children of God, faith is the stamp on our lives that pleases our Father. It is faith alone that enables us to live this Christian life.

Romans 4 reminds us that in spite of Abraham’s sins, God remembers him for his faith, not his failures. By his example, we can learn how to be strong in the faith.

“Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all...” (Romans 4:16).

Faith is not a hunch, nor is it positive thinking; faith is our response to the promises of God, taking Him at His word. Strong faith is received as a gift of God: “according to grace.” Grace is not a reward for our faith; it takes the initiative to give us that faith. We cannot generate faith, for we are totally depraved by nature. The only reason we could have faith is that God takes the initiative and puts that faith in our own hearts.

Unbelief holds grace a prisoner; strong faith releases the grace of God. The only way that grace can ever operate in us is through faith.

Abraham was faced with two impossibilities: having a child in spite of being barren, or believing God, who raises the dead and makes something out of nothing, could break His promises.

Abraham respected the greatness of God, and he experienced the miracle of having a child in his old age.

Strong faith regards God’s guidance, and as a result, reflects His glory.

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:20-21).

Abraham obeyed God, knowing that He would work through him; his story reflects the glory of God.

Adrian Rogers says, “The greatest thing you could do to glorify God is to believe God.”

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “You cannot please God without faith; if you please God, it doesn’t matter whom you displease, and if you displease God, it doesn’t matter whom you please.”

Do you have strong faith, believing in Him, taking Him at His word?