Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Job 8:8

Adrian Rogers tells us, “Truth is to your spirit what food is to your body, what light is to your eyes, and what sound is to your ears.” There is a famine in the world for truth; this is why, as Christians, we can never lose our burning ambition to discover, know and practice truth.

In Job 8:8, Job’s friends respond to his suffering with an urge to appeal to look for answers from the philosophers of yesterday. And America has been shaped, molded, and skewed by a few philosophers of yesterday; their ghosts still haunt us, even now.

The first is Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, who rejected moral absolutes and alluded to the dangerous sentiment that the strongest idea wins, and therefore history is evolutionary and there cannot be any absolute.

Ludwig Feuerbach built upon this theory by saying, “If there are no absolutes, then there can be no God,” coining what we now know as humanism.

Karl Marx built upon Feuerbach’s theory by asking, “If there is no absolute and no God, what is the future and purpose of mankind?” As a result, Marx founded communism: a godless system that refutes the worth or dignity of an individual.

Then came Charles Darwin, who asked, “If there is no God, then how do we explain our existence?” He concluded that man is simply a product of evolution.

The final ghost that still haunts us is Sigmund Freud, who says our idea of God comes to us from our childhood fathers. The extreme permissiveness and perversion we see today is also a result of Freudian psychology.

These ideas have been around for a long time but have resurged in recent days. We shouldn’t be discouraged; these theories do not have something readily available to us, as Christians: the truth, and the Holy Spirit. We, who see the Bible as the incorruptible, indestructible, and indispensable Word of God, must stand, anointed with the Holy Spirit and a heart full of love, and preach the absolute truth of the Gospel.

Apply it to your life

Do you know what you believe, and why you believe it? Familiarize yourself with the truth of the Bible. Remember, as Adrian Rogers says, “Facts are like a recipe and truth is like the meal; digest the truth and it will change your life.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 3:10

As Bible-believing Christians, our worldview affects everything in life. Yet we are living in a post-Christian society, hostile toward those who view the world as we do. As a result, we may be tempted to retreat; but in reality, there is no place to hide.

Rather, we have to come together, united in our Christian worldview, and learn how to articulate it.

We recognize five principles of our worldview in the Book of First Peter. This letter was essentially a handbook for survival for the early Christians in Rome.

1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Here are the five principles:

Lordship.

We must make up our minds that nothing will stand in the way of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Learning.

Those who don’t know Jesus have some excellent questions; we must make a habit of learning all we can so we’re ready to give an account for what we believe and why.

Lowliness.

The Bible teaches that we are to have a lifestyle of meekness. Meekness is not weakness; it is strength that is channeled and under control.

Lifestyle.

The early Christians possessed a hope so real, vibrant, and incontrovertible, that they stood out. Our only chance against a world that bad-mouths and criticizes us is our ability to out-live, out-love and out-pray people. Our hope is our rock-ribbed assurance in Jesus Christ.

Love.

We live in a hurting society, with wounds desperate to be mended and questions desperate for answers.

Adrian Rogers says, “Our job is not to save America; our first responsibility is not to preserve our freedoms. Our prime responsibility is to witness to this world of Jesus’ grace and power; to say it and mean it, “Jesus is Lord.’”

As the days grow gloriously dark, we can find comfort in knowing the church will survive, for Jesus said, “Upon this rock I’ll build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

Apply it to your life

As Adrian Rogers says, “We are personal representatives of the Lord Jesus, and the church can continue to grow even when it is perceived by (society) as the enemy. I’m calling you to a Christian world view that’s backed up by a Christian lifestyle.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:17

Exodus 20:17 reveals the final Commandment, which is, "You shall not covet..."

God has given us a desire for love and happiness. It’s not wrong to want success or victory, nor is it wrong to acquire these things. Rather, this commandment warns against unlawful desires. Covetousness has an appetite that is never satisfied. Whether material possessions, money, power, fame, or status, we have been tricked into believing that newer, bigger, or better will bring us happiness. If we want to know the secret of satisfaction, we reject any trace of covetousness in our lives.

First, think about the perplexing problem of covetousness.

It is a very deceptive and debasing problem; not many acknowledge that they struggle with this sin. We are egocentric by nature and often wear the cloak of self-righteousness. Adrian Rogers says, “The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.”

It’s a destructive problem. There is a reason why the Bible condemns making riches our lifelong goal. When we do that, we make gods out of wealth when our desire should actually be to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

Covetousness is also a lack of perspective.

A covetous person is a person who has not put his eyes on the Lord, for contentment is found in Jesus Christ, alone. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my Helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Adrian Rogers says, “The only truly satisfied people in this world are the ones who’ve let go of this world and taken hold of Jesus Christ with both hands.”

As Christians, we have everything we need: We have our salvation and family, our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have knowledge of the Word of God, and wisdom that comes from our time spent in Scripture. We have the peace of God that passes understanding; when we gain this righteous perspective, we can see we are very, very rich.

Apply it to your life

If we want to rid ourselves of covetousness, we must apply this daily practice:

1. Trust in the Lord.

2. Develop a habit of thankfulness.

3. Learn to love other people.

4. Learn to give.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:16

Exodus 20:16 reveals, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

There is an alarming decline in basic honesty in our nation. We know more facts and believe less truth than ever before. As we choose between truth and consequences, we must consider three things about our witness.

First, we must remember the liability of a false witness.

Bearing a false witness is perhaps the most foolish and damaging thing we could do; it is hurtful to people and hellish before God.

The father of all false witnesses is Satan himself; there is no truth in him. We are never more like him than when we bear a false witness. When we slander, falsely criticize, remain silent when we ought to speak or insinuate things that are not true, we bear a false witness and break God’s holy commandment. We will receive the judgment of Almighty God.

Second, remember the reliability of a faithful witness.

Jesus Christ is called, “the faithful witness of God.” (Revelation 1:5) When we tell the truth, we are like Him. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me.”

As witnesses of Christ, we are called to testify of what Jesus has done for us, to tell the truth of who He is and how He has saved us.

Finally, we must remember the responsibility of a family witness.

Adrian Rogers says, “There is a crying need in America today for families that know, believe, love, teach, speak, and share the truth. A home that is not built on truth will crumble.” How do we translate the importance of a faithful witness to our children?

-By precept: Teach your children Scripture so they know and understand the Holy commandments.

-By example: Moms and Dads should tell the truth and keep their word. Integrity is so very important, especially in the home.

-By discipline: As parents in this corrupt world, we cannot tolerate deliberate disobedience, defiant disrespect, or dishonesty from our children.

Apply it to your life

Are you living a life of honesty? If you want your home to win and your children to obey God, it starts with you. Take these commandments one at a time, measure your life by them, and teach them to your children.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:15

Exodus 20:15 reveals the eighth commandment: “You shall not steal.”

It seems that we have forgotten the basic rules of honesty. Any time we take anything that belongs to someone else or keep from someone the thing that we owe to them, we are guilty of stealing. There are three grand principles found in Ephesians 4:28, that we are to etch into the consciousness of our children:

Integrity

"Let him who stole steal no longer..."

Stealing isn’t just burglary or embezzlement; it can also mean fraud. Lying is a form of stealing; half-hearted work is stealing. Gambling is another form of thievery; it is an attempt to get what belongs to someone else without giving him anything for it. We belong to God, whether we acknowledge it or not. When we live for ourselves and not for God, we are robbing God of what is His. When we fail to tithe to the church, we are stealing from God, as well. Adrian Rogers explains, “It pays to serve Jesus; it pays every step of the way. You have defrauded yourself: In seeking to get, you’re the one who loses.”

Industry

“…but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good..."

Work is not a curse; it is a gift from God, and absolutely imperative in our world. When someone receives something without working for it, someone else has to work for it without receiving it. We must begin instilling a good work ethic into our children early, so they grow up to become hard workers.

Generosity

"...that he may have something to give him who has need."

The opposite of stealing is giving. Just as we teach our children the importance of hard work, we must teach them the importance of charity. As Christians, we labor to meet our needs and give to others. It’s a sin to expect the government to care for our loved ones when we, ourselves, ought to do it.

Adrian Rogers says, “Misery comes from mirrors. Joy comes from windows when we’re beginning to pour out and give to others.”

Apply it to your life

Would you like to teach your children the importance of working with honesty, vigor, and the expectation to give it away? Adrian Rogers emphasizes this powerful advice from John Wesley: “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:14

The key to a magnificent marriage is found in Exodus 20:14, which reveals: “You shall not commit adultery.”

As Christians, we have a responsibility to uphold this commandment, whether or not we’re married. The modern world tells us that the Ten Commandments, especially this one, are out of date and old-fashioned. Generations come and go, but the Ten Commandments remain. They don’t need to be amended or revised, and we are broken upon them if we try to break them. But if we obey them, they liberate us. We have to teach the next generation of God’s plan for a magnificent marriage.

God’s original plan for marriage in Genesis 2 emphasizes a supreme commitment between a husband and wife.

It is of the highest priority, above any other human relationship. The Bible also teaches about the permanence and purpose of marriage. Mark 10:9 says, "Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate." Adrian Rogers says, “Marriage is a romance; in the first chapter both the hero and the heroine die and become one new person.”

Second, we need to warn our young people that adultery is a sin.

It is a sin against one’s own self, against the home. No other sin does more personal damage––spiritually, mentally, or physically–– than immorality. Adultery is a sin against the church; when a member of a church lives in sexual immorality, he sins against the holy body of Christ. No matter how society tries to glamorize it, adultery has destroyed great nations in the past: Greece, Rome, Egypt, Babylon, to name a few. It may be the sin that destroys our nation, as well, because it is a sin against Almighty God.

As the next generation grows and prepares for marriage, we need to model magnificent marriages through our own.

Apply it to your life

If you are struggling in your marriage, consider these steps:

Make the decision; bring your failures and sins before Jesus Christ.

Depend on Christ; let His life in you energize you and give you power.

Exercise your devotion to Christ and to your family.

Let your love develop, cultivate, and grow over time.

Guard your heart; be disciplined, and have control over who or what you let into your life.

Remain determined; make up your mind that you will not fall into temptation before it comes.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:13

Exodus 20:13 reveals the sixth commandment: “You shall not murder.”

Life is God’s wonderful gift that we might choose to enjoy. Jesus is the great life-giver; He alone gives us physical, spiritual, and eternal life. John 10:10 says, “I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” And Adrian Rogers says, “With his body, a man knows the world beneath him; with his soul, the world around; and with his spirit, the world above him.”

We have an enemy who wants to destroy life. He wants to bring physical, spiritual, and eternal death. His method is deception; he deceives, then destroys, then damns. We must be families that choose life; we must protect the physical, spiritual, and eternal lives within our homes.

The family is given to protect physical life.

As true Christians who believe in love and life, we should be deeply disturbed by the senseless murders broadcast on the news. We should be alarmed by the increasing rates of suicide, heartbroken for those who could feel so hopeless. We are also called to oppose abortion; we should never be desensitized by the crime of infanticide. In a world that dares to discredit the value of our unborn children, we must speak on their behalf. Protecting physical life also means preserving the family from wicked vices and addictions. Alcohol, drugs, binge eating, cruelty, and hatred destroy the family from the inside out. We must oppose them.

The family is given to provide social life.

In such an untrustworthy society, we are called to make home the happiest place on earth for our children, setting them up for good health and success.

The family is given to present spiritual life.

Moms and dads ought to lead their children to Jesus, praying for and pleading for their spiritual life until there is full assurance that they are truly saved.

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “Families need to choose life! You’ve got to build a wall around the roof of your house, lest your children fall off.

You need to protect them; their physical life.

You need to provide their social life and make home the happiest place on earth.

And you need to pray for and plead for their spiritual life and say, ‘I will not go to Heaven without my children to come with me.’”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:7

The Ten Commandments were given for our good and welfare because God wants our homes to be vital and victorious. Exodus 20:7 reveals the third commandment: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

We’ve been instructed not to take the name above all names in vain; which infers that we are to take this name in victory. In the Bible, names encompass prayer and prophecy. The name Jesus means, “Jehovah saves.”

There’s personality in that name; our God is not some abstraction. He is a person who keeps His word. There is power and protection in His name, in which we can take refuge.

There’s provision in the name. In John 16:23, Jesus says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."

Because of this, we ought to praise His name and teach our children not to take the precious name of God in vain. How do we take God’s name in vanity?

-Profanity: According to Pastor Rogers, using God’s name in profanity reveals “an empty head and a wicked heart.” We have to be careful with our words.

-Frivolity: Joking about God is a dangerous game that we dare not play. We should make a habit of expressing our humor wisely.

-Hypocrisy: This is using God’s name without truthfulness or righteousness. Nothing turns our children away from the Gospel like a hypocritical parent.

Colossians 3:17 reads, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

If we want our children to take the Lord’s name in victory, we must teach them to wear the name--to remember who they are and whose they are. We must also teach them to share the name--we will be known by our character, our contemplation, and our conversation. And finally, as Adrian Rogers says, “Teach them to bear the name, to unfurl the banner, and to march under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Don’t be ashamed of the one who died for you.”

Apply it to your life

Teach your children to wear the name, share the name, and bear the name of Jesus Christ.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:12

God created the nuclear family, but with the world in its current state, we may be tempted to ask ourselves: Has the nuclear family bombed?

God gave us families for living, learning, and lasting; they are a little part of the Garden of Eden that we have carried with us. Adrian Rogers says, “When the home begins to decay, the nation begins to decay.”

Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Whether we are worthy or not, children must honor their parents. But are we fathers and mothers worthy of honor? We can never be perfect parents, and we will never have perfect children. But there are five ways to parent our children that are worthy of honor, regardless of our imperfections.

First, by loving them: Love is not giving our children what they want, it is giving them what they need. They need this love steadfastly and consistently. Children need hugs, blessings, and comfort. They need a listening ear and their parents’ prayers.

Second, by lifting them: Wise encouragement is better than lavish praise. Children need encouragement like a plant needs water. We must let our speech be positive and affirming.

Third, by limiting them: It takes firm restrictions to set children free. It is our responsibility to liberate them by limiting them. These limitations, though lovingly placed, will be tested over and over again, but they should never move. Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Fourth, by leading them: To teach without training is to fail in your task. We need to compliment character more than talent and teach by example. There should be more emphasis on moral attributes than sports, grades, or popularity.

Finally, by laughing with them: Serious situations call for a lot of laughter. Our homes should be filled with joy and happiness. We should let our children see that God is over every circumstance, and we are free to laugh at ourselves, even in times of trouble.

Apply it to your life

Do you honor your parents? Are you a parent worthy of honor? Evaluate your relationships today, and pray for God’s guidance and grace.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:7

The Ten Commandments were given for our good and welfare because God wants our homes to be vital and victorious. Exodus 20:7 reveals the third commandment: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

We’ve been instructed not to take the Name Above All Names in vain; which infers that we are to take this name in victory. In the Bible, names encompass prayer and prophecy. The name Jesus means, “Jehovah saves.”

There’s personality in that name; our God is not some abstraction. He is a person, who keeps His word. There is power and protection in His name, in which we can take refuge.

There’s provision in the name. In John 16:23, Jesus says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."

Because of this, we ought to praise His name and teach our children not to take the precious name of God in vain. How do we take God’s name in vanity?

Profanity: according to Pastor Rogers, using God’s name in profanity reveals “an empty head and a wicked heart.” We have to be careful with our words.

Frivolity: joking about God is a dangerous game that we dare not play. We should make a habit of expressing our humor wisely.

Hypocrisy: using God’s name without truthfulness or righteousness. Nothing turns our children away from the Gospel like a hypocritical parent.

Colossians 3:17 reads, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

If we want our children to take the Lord’s name in victory, we must teach them to wear the name--to remember who they are and whose they are. We must also teach them to share the name--we will be known by our character, our contemplation, and our conversation. And finally, as Adrian Rogers says, “Teach them to bear the name, to unfurl the banner, and to march under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Don’t be ashamed of the one who died for you.”

Apply it to your life

Teach your children to wear the name, share the name, and bear the name of Jesus Christ.