Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 4:31-32

It is in our human nature to make mistakes ourselves while finding it hard to forgive others. However, forgiveness is the sole remedy to two very poisonous—and very human—conditions: guilt and bitterness.

God’s forgiveness of us sets us free from guilt, and our forgiveness of others sets us free from bitterness.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

There are many compelling reasons to forgive. First, we, ourselves, have been graciously forgiven by God Himself. It is God’s nature to forgive, therefore, an unforgiving spirit is ungodly. If we don’t forgive, we will only know bitterness, and our souls will only know grief.

An unforgiving spirit does personal harm; it is self-sabotaging. It is not merely missing a blessing; it is sin. It disgraces Almighty God, discourages the saints, drives away the lost, and delights the devil.

Once we decide to follow Jesus and join the family of God, we must learn to practice forgiveness like our Father. If we don’t, not only do we bring harm to ourselves, but we also destroy family fellowship.

There are costly requirements to forgive. Jesus knows it may not always be easy; that doesn’t mean it is excused. Rather, He offers to help. We need Jesus to be forgiven, and we need Jesus to enable us to forgive. The same one Who has forgiven us is the one Who helps us forgive others.

Adrian Rogers said, “It is the power of Jesus Christ, who forgave us, that enables us to forgive somebody else. You forgive freely. You forgive finally. You forgive fully. And you forgive forcefully.”

Finally, we must keep in mind the powerful results of forgiveness. The family of God is a precious thing—and a terrible thing to waste. When we forgive, we free ourselves from bitterness, heal broken relationships, and gain back a brother.

Apply it to your life

If you’ve been wronged by a brother, forgive for his sake, for Jesus’ sake, and for your sake. Do not keep score. Forgiveness has no limit. When you forgive, you set two people free, and one of them is yourself.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 6:25-34

Worrying is useless; it never solves the problem or lifts the burden. It is physically harmful to us and to our relationships with others. But most importantly, our worry is a wound in the heart of God; we insult Him if we do not consider Him to be trustworthy.

Some of us are prone to worry more than others, however, all of us worry more than we should.

In Matthew 6, Jesus Christ shares a word for worriers and addresses five things we all tend to worry about: finances (v. 24), food and fashion (v. 25), fitness (v. 27) and the future (v. 34).

When we begin to worry, we must remember that God is our Father and He will not abandon us.

“Therefore do not worry… For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (v. 31-32). God is the Good Father, and He provides for His children; He does not bring a child into this world that He is not prepared to care for.

Second, we must resolve to focus on the will of God.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (v. 33). Worry can be a signal to us that we are not focusing on what we ought to. God will not work in second place to our other concerns. He knows what we need and He can take care of the things in our lives better than we can; we must put Him first and put our trust in Him.

Third, we must surrender our concerns about the future.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (v. 34). God is in complete control over our lives. He has engineered difficulty for each day—enough trouble to cause us to turn to Him and receive His grace. But if we borrow tomorrow’s trouble by worrying, we’ll find that it buries our blessings, steals our strength, and produces problems.

Adrian Rogers says, “God does not give you strength today for tomorrow’s problems.”

God knows our frame, and He promises strength for what we will carry today.

Apply it to your life

If you begin to worry today, remember your Father in Heaven, who knows your needs. Focus on seeking the Kingdom of God, and leave the future in God’s hands.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Psalm 42:5-11

King David shares his inner turmoil in Psalm 42:5 saying, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me?” It is evident in this passage that David was going through a serious bout of depression.

Depression isn’t just feeling sad. It is a passive feeling, a continual feeling of sadness that seems to linger. It is an attitude that nothing feels good or is worth feeling good about; compounded by a state of constant hopelessness. Depression is a serious problem. It is a health crisis, completely valid and, at times, very dangerous.

Christians can struggle with depression. David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet, in Psalm 42, he admits to a spiritual dryness, feeling shame and defeat, overwhelmed by his circumstances. But there is an answer. We can learn how to deal with our depression through analyzing David’s very honest and broken prayer.

First, look inward and analyze your heart. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” Ask yourself why you are cast down. Close the door, learn what happened. Find out what it is, and get it out there in the open so you can look at it and understand its grip on you.

Then, look upward and realize your help. Psalm 42:8 says, “Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

And instead of losing your faith when you don’t understand why, look onward and realize your hope. No matter what’s happening to you, it is not God’s final plan. Verse 11 says, “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

This is the sure promise in the midst of your depression: My God will see you through. God has not forsaken you; He never has and He never will.

Apply it to your life

Are you down, feeling hopeless, battling depression? Look inward, upward, and onward. There is hope, and it begins with trusting Jesus, even when things don’t make sense. Choose to praise Him, even when it hurts.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 8:18-39

There is truly little more discouraging than pain. Whether it be physical or emotional, the problem of pain is very real.

Amid the darkest nights of our souls, we often ask ourselves: Where is God in all of this? Why does He let this happen?

But God did not create this world to be this way; when He created it, He called the world good. The birth of suffering is on Man; it’s on all of us.

Romans 8 shares three propositions to make sense out of suffering.

First, yesterday’s curse brings bondage.

Romans 8:20 says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope…”

In the Garden of Eden, Adam was created perfect; he was perfectly free to make his own choice—even the wrong one. His sin brought all of creation down with him. Every living thing that roams the Earth was gripped by the curse of sin.

We were taken from unity with the Creator and robbed of His perfect design for us. As a result, Man is emotionally depraved, mentally disturbed, and spiritually diseased. But as we groan in pain, the Creator groans, too.

The good news is that tomorrow’s conquest brings liberty.

“...because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21).

There came a second Adam: Jesus came to this Earth to undo what the first Adam did. With his great sacrificial love and obedience to the Father, Jesus defeated evil on the cross. And when we follow Him, we will never be separated from Him again.

Adrian Rogers said, “He’s going to turn every tear to a pearl, every hurt to a hallelujah, every defeat into a victory, and every Calvary into an Easter.”

Finally, today’s comfort brings hope; the suffering that we know is temporary. All the suffering we will ever know is on this side of the grave. We are prepared, predestined, and preserved for glory. What waits beyond is far greater than anything that lies behind.

Apply it to your life

If you are hurting, there is a Physician, and His name is Jesus. He made a way to bring you home to Him. He defeated the curse that entangled you and He can heal the pain that overwhelms you.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 3:10-18

As Christians, we are citizens of Heaven, sojourning here on Earth as strangers and pilgrims in this world, which is soon passing away.

2 Peter 3:10-11 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night… Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…”

Holy means separated; it is not a prideful thing to be holy, it simply means we are different.

Adrian Rogers says, “Holy speaks of our character and blameless speaks of our conduct.” Someday soon, this world is going to melt away; but because we have been set aside for a purpose, we will not have to fall apart with it.

In this passage, the Apostle Peter describes five components of our holy conduct; in this, we can learn how to stay together when the world comes apart.

First, we must look for His coming.

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…” (2 Peter 3:14). We must live in the expectation that Jesus Christ could come at any moment; this thought alone keeps us pure.

Second, we must labor for His Coming.

This labor is primarily through prayer and soul winning. We hasten the day that Jesus comes when we pray for His will to be done on Earth and endeavor to bring souls to Christ.

Third, we must live for His Coming.

We are to be at peace with God, with each other. and within ourselves. Living in purity doesn’t mean we are sinless; it means there is no unconfessed, unrepented sin in our hearts and lives.

We must also learn of His Coming.

We ask the Spirit for wisdom as we study God’s Word. Many of the details surrounding the Second Coming are difficult to understand. We must be faithful to read Scripture as it is written, without twisting or distorting it for our own gain.

Finally, we must lock onto His Coming.

We must get a grip onto the truth of the Word of God, for in doing so, we also hold on tight to our steadfast growth in Him

Apply it to your life

Christ’s return is imminent. Are you conducting yourself in a manner of holiness and blamelessness? As you study Scripture, are you holding fast to the truth of God’s Word and growing in your faith?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 3:1-13

The political rhetoric of our day has been about a new world order; however, what we’d call “new order” is just a rearrangement of the old disorder. We will not know ultimate order until Christ’s return, as prophesied in Scripture.

2 Peter 3 gives insight about those who argue against the Second Coming and reveals our confirmation as believers, as we near the Last Days.

“Beloved, I now write to you… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior…” (2 Peter 3:1-2).

First, we’re warned about those who will deny Jesus’ Second Coming: “...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts…” (2 Peter 3:3).

Ridicule and mockery have always been the enemy’s chief tools. Jesus was mocked during His earthly ministry; we can expect to be mocked for believing He will come again. Scoffers will inflict emotional and intellectual opposition against the Second Coming; they will tell us that all things will continue as they are. They would rather remain willfully ignorant because they do not want to acknowledge the judgment they’ll face for continuing in their sinful lifestyles.

But as Believers, we have the scriptural declaration of His coming. God has promised His return in His Word, and His power declares that He is able. The cataclysm of the flood (2 Peter 3:6) and the promise of fire (12 Peter 3:10-11) reveal how God will intervene.

Jesus is the one who holds all things together; when He releases His grip, we will see disaster like never before.

And though He can, He has not intervened yet because of His tremendous patience. He keeps the door of mercy open, so we may enter while we still have time.

Adrian Rogers says, “Even now, the raging waters of God’s wrath are furiously pounding against the dam of His mercy.”

It is God’s desire that all come to repentance. We have a duty to share the saving message of Jesus Christ with others, and we have more opportunities now than ever before

Apply it to your life

The souls of men are more important than anything else in our lives. As this world succumbs to more and more chaos, are you committed to sharing the Gospel with others?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 17-22

Plastic preachers produce counterfeit Christians; they seem good, but they are destined for divine destruction.

2 Peter 2:22 is more than just sick dogs and dirty hogs; it is a grave warning to anyone who would counterfeit Christianity. The Apostle Peter describes apostates as dry wells, offering much but giving little to a thirsty soul. (See 2 Peter 2:17.) Apostates are deceptive as dusty clouds—their words carry in the wind without any glory, headed for deep darkness.

Plastic preachers get their following by allurement. (See 2 Peter 2:18.) They bait their crowds by playing into the power of the flesh and the appetite of the old nature. They cleverly hide what they’re doing with feigned words, and they attract unstable souls. 2 Peter 2:19 reveals that false teachers promise freedom to those who follow their teachings, but freedom cannot be found in a lie.

Adrian Rogers says, “Sin always promises freedom, but it brings bondage, and those who are in the deepest bondage think they are free.” When we truly live by God’s truth, we receive His freedom that only increases the longer we study and learn.

2 Peter 2:20 says, “...they are again entangled in (the pollutions of the world) and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” If we choose against truth as we know it, the deeper we will go into bondage. It would be better if we’d never learned the way of truth (see 2 Peter 2:21).

Apostates have known the way of righteousness and rejected it. They did not lose their salvation; they never had it.

Adrian Rogers says, “Apostates have religion, but they don’t have reality; they have culture, but they don’t have Calvary. They have a creed, a code, a cause, and a church, but not Christ.”

When we are truly saved, our true nature changes; we become God’s sheep. But for apostates, there was no true transformation. They will return to their lives of sin, as a dog returns to its vomit and a pig goes back to the mire (see 2 Peter 2:22).

Becoming Christians does not make us perfect; but rather than returning to our sin, we will learn to run from it.

Apply it to your life

It is harder for a pseudo prophet to convince a growing Christian. Spend time in God’s Word today; resolve to grow in your faith, so you can identify false teaching.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 2:9-15

Hypocrisy is not new; neither is false teaching. 2 Peter 2:1 claims, “...there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…”

The Bible describes the character of a counterfeit, so we can spot these pseudo prophets with plastic words.

First, their character is marked by proud presumption:

“...and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries…” (2 Peter 2:10).

The flesh is the old nature inherited from Adam; it is the predisposition to sin. Walking in the flesh always results in rebellion because the flesh refuses instruction and despises dominion.

False teachers have an arrogant swagger to them, having no restraint or respect for authority; they will say anything, no matter how wicked.

As believers, we cannot take lightly what they have taken lightly. We must be anchored in the Word of God and walk in the Spirit.

They are also marked by beastly behavior (2 Peter 2:12).

Man was created in the image of God, yet false teachers degrade man to animals. The modern New Age teachings (reincarnation, evolution, mysticism) are tactics from the enemy to trick man into seeing himself lowly. If people can be convinced that we are no more than animals, they will behave that way, giving way to sinful impulses.

Finally, these counterfeit Christians are marked by godless greed.

They are training in covetousness, seeking to make merchandise out of us. False prophets are not just people who have misunderstood the Bible; they are willfully wicked, and they are people who once knew the truth. They know what’s right and refuse it; they prostitute the Gospel for their own gain.

Remember: no power of evil or devil in Hell can stop a Bible-believing church; yet, we the Church can curse ourselves if we let in sin and immorality. But even counterfeit Christians can strengthen our faith because they prove the reality of what they are imitating.

Adrian Rogers says, “Never let a hypocrite keep you away from the true riches of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Apply it to your life

Our faith does not have to be shaken by hypocrites; instead, they can inspire us to teach the truth of God’s Word with even more diligence. Study God’s Word today and ask that He guide you in your reading.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 2:1-9

Adrian Rogers says, “It’s bad to tell a lie and it’s worse to teach a lie; but it is monstrous to teach a lie about God.”

The desperate need in these last days is authentic biblical teaching. Scripture tells us that false teachers are among us and warns us of the dangers of their doctrine. We must unmask false prophets to realize their presence and recognize their pretense.

2 Peter 2:1 says, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”

We can identify false prophets by their message. There are five tests we should run in our minds as we listen to a preacher:

1. Source Test: Is the Bible the basis of his teaching?

2. Savior Test: Does he believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

3. Subject Test: Is the primary focus of his teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

4. Salvation Test: Does he teach salvation by grace alone?

5. Sanctification Test: Does he teach and endeavor to live a holy life?

We can also identify false prophets by their methods. 2 Peter 2:2 says, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”

Good counterfeits will lay false teaching alongside good teaching to confuse their listeners. Their words are feigned, like plastic: malleable and easy to contort. False teachers are known for their manner of living ungodly lives. Almost always, false teachers will eventually be found out for their immorality.

But a true person of God will make people aware of their sins and need for salvation.

Lastly, we can spot a false prophet by his motive, which is to manipulate his people for his own profit or gain.

In this world is full of dangerous doctrines, we must remember what God has done to false prophets in the past. God has set a precedent and He will not spare the false prophet from His judgment.

Apply it to your life

It is crucial, now more than ever, to learn from Bible teachers who are rooted in sound doctrine. Pray for direction and discernment today. If you are unsure, test the teachings you receive from people in authority, so that you might learn Scripture as it is written.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:12-21

In days of counterfeit Christianity, confusion, and New Age mysticism, we must be acquainted with what is real, which is the Word of God. The Bible is the basis of our belief and the bedrock of our blessed assurance.

The Apostle Peter shares three poignant things about the Word of God.

First, the Word of God survives human teachers.

Peter knew he was going to die soon, and he urged his hearers to remember what he taught them (2 Peter 1:12).

Even still, he knew that memory is defective and selective. But we are not at the mercy of memory; God has written His Word down and it will endure forever. It cannot be buried or destroyed; it will outlast us all.

Second, the Word of God surmounts human testimonies.

2 Peter 1:16 says, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

The Bible is better than human testimony; it is more real than what we can see with our eyes, hear with our ears, or feel in our hearts. There is nothing wrong with having mountaintop transfiguration experiences. But we must be sure those experiences are confirmed in, conformed to, and controlled by the Word of God. The Bible is our standard and our instrument.

Finally, the Word of God surpasses human thought.

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” (2 Peter 1:19).

The Bible is not an ordinary book; those who wrote it did not give their own thoughts or philosophies. No Scripture is of its own interpretation, but it is by divine inspiration.

The Bible is inexhaustible; it only widens and deepens the more we read it. It illuminates, giving light in the darkness of our hearts.

Adrian Rogers says, “By the Word of God, the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtain of night and pins it with the star of hope and floods your heart with the sunlight of the love of God.”

Apply it to your life

Do you believe the Bible is the sure Word of God and study it with reverence and eagerness? Spend time in Scripture today and read it as God’s words written down.