Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:31

Faith has the incredible ability to radically and dramatically change people.

In Joshua 2, Rahab the prostitute was transformed by faith. She was a Canaanite woman living in spiritual darkness, but after God saved her, she became part of the bloodline of Jesus Christ.

Rahab’s transformation reveals four things about the power of faith.

First, the providence of God confronted Rahab.
In Joshua 2, two spies approached Rahab’s home with a message of Jericho’s imminent destruction. Rahab believed them and agreed to hide them in her home.

God works on both sides of our circumstances; He will bring people together in order to save them. He finds tender, ready hearts and brings to them soul-winners to share their faith.

Second, the Spirit of God convicted Rahab.
As she helped the two spies in Joshua 2:9-10, Rahab confessed that she knew what God had done for their people. She had heard of God’s mighty, miraculous power, displayed through them.

The Holy Spirit convicts others through people who are living and walking in victory. As Christians, the Holy Spirit uses our transformed lives to convict others of their sins.

Third, the Word of God confirmed Rahab.
By receiving these two messengers into her home, Rahab welcomed in the Word of God, spoken through them.

Hebrews 11:31 says, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

Finally, the grace of God cleansed Rahab. The messengers instructed Rahab to hang a scarlet cord over her doorpost so that when they came to avenge Jericho, they would pass over her home and spare her. This act illustrates the principle of the Passover, in which God instructed the Israelites to paint their doorposts with the blood of sacrificial lambs, to spare them from the death angel.

As a result, Rahab was delivered from destruction and her character changed; she was justified and made right in God’s sight.

Adrian Rogers says, “There are none so bad they can’t be saved, and none so good they need not be saved.”

Apply it to your life
Has your faith transformed you from the inside out; have you been confronted by God’s providence? Has the Holy Spirit convicted you, Scripture confirmed your belief, grace cleansed you?

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:30
Sometimes, we may experience obstacles that stand between us and our most holy ambitions.

Adrian Rogers says, “Faith is the link that binds our nothingness to His Almightiness.”

In Joshua 5, the Israelites had left Egypt and were ready to capture the land of Canaan. However, the pagan city of Jericho stood in their way. This story shows what it means to overcome obstacles by faith.

Hebrews 11:30 says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.”

First, we should note the worship of faith.
In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua encounters the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, and as a response, he falls to his face in worship.

Worshiping Jesus always builds our faith; when we face Jericho-sized problems in our lives, we must remember to set our affections on things above—fix our eyes on Jesus, and let our faith grow.

Second, we see the obedient work of faith.
The Lord did not tell Joshua to dig a tunnel or build ladders to scale the impenetrable walls of Jericho. Instead, He told Joshua to march around the city’s perimeter.

God’s plan for victory seemed very strange; however, it is not our job to understand our instruction from God, but to obey, living by faith. The Israelites obeyed God, and that was enough.

Third, we see the wait of faith.
The Israelites were completely dependent on God’s timing. Many obstacles we face are opportunities to learn patience. Waiting on God is never wasted time. Our faith in Him is meant to last—to be strengthened through endurance.

Fourth, we see the word of faith.
Joshua spoke the Word of God to his army because he had received it for himself. By its simplest definition, faith is agreeing with the Word of God. We can only believe God for something that already is so in His heart and mind.

Finally, we must note the wonder of faith.
Joshua 6 tells us that the walls of Jericho came falling down. God gave the victory to Israel and brought judgment to the people of Jericho. In a nation as ripe for judgment as ours, a life of faith is our only hope.

Apply it to your life
Are you facing obstacles today that must be overcome by faith?

Adrian Rogers says, “Take your eyes off Jericho and put them on Jesus. Don’t dwell on your problems; dwell on your Lord.”

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:28

The Passover is a Jewish tradition that should be interwoven with our celebration of Easter. We as Christians have reason to celebrate Passover because it prophecies our redeeming faith in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:28 says, “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

The Passover was first introduced in the Book of Exodus. The Israelites sacrificed lambs and painted blood on their doorposts. The sacrificial lambs had to be spotless in order to cause the death angel to pass over their homes.

After the lambs were sacrificed, the families shared them, celebrating their atonement.

Through this tradition, God taught His people one of the fundamental truths of His Word: without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

The Passover displays the prophetic anticipation of Calvary’s sacrifice. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb without spot or blemish. When we receive His saving power of salvation, we are nourished by Him. Further, we are called to share the feast with others.

The Passover reminds us of the promised consummation of Calvary’s sacrifice.

In the final week of His life, Jesus was examined and questioned by the religious leaders. This process mimicked how a Passover lamb was inspected. They could find no fault in Him, confirming to us that He was the promised one.

John 1:29 confirms this promise: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”

Finally, Passover calls for the perpetual celebration of Calvary’s sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

No longer do we recognize Passover to obtain redemption. As Christians, we celebrate Passover through the Lord’s Supper, to remember our redemption through Jesus Christ.

Adrian Rogers says, “In the Old Testament, they put the blood upon the doorposts. In the New Testament, we confess Christ openly as our Savior.”



Apply it to your life
Do you possess a redeeming faith in Jesus Christ, the spotless, sacrificial lamb of God? Share the feast with others today; celebrate what He has done. Openly declare your faith as the Israelites did when they painted their doorposts for all to see.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:23-27

It takes a family to raise a child, and it takes faith to make a family. The most powerful and influential people on Earth are mothers and fathers of faith.

Hebrews 11 tells the divine origin story of the prophet Moses, who was protected by his parents, Amram and Jochebed. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child” (Hebrews 11:23).

The story of these parents teaches us important principles about faith for the family.

First, we note faith’s vision.
Moses’ parents recognized that he was the special handiwork of God. It is our responsibility to see our children as specific, individual creations of God, and raise them accordingly.

Second, we recognize faith’s valor.
Amram and Jochebed hid Moses for three months because the King had commanded that baby boys be killed. By faith, they recognized this physical conflict as a spiritual conflict between the gods of Egypt and Almighty God, and “they were not afraid” (Hebrews 11:23).

In these treacherous days, raising children is a spiritual battle and our only hope is a solid faith in Jesus Christ.

Third, we see faith’s venture.
Moses’s parents did not have a spirit of fatalism; rather, they did their part to protect their son, trusting God to do the rest. When facing challenges, we must do all we can do with a spirit of optimism. If it is God’s will, we can trust that He will move heaven and earth for our children.

Finally, Amram and Jochebed displayed faith’s victory.
Hebrews 11 notes that because Moses’ values were established in him by his parents, he valued his faith more than all the riches of Egypt.

Moses embraced the virtues of knowing Christ eternally, and rejected the vices of this world, refusing to be called Pharaoh’s son. (See Hebrews 11:24.)

Adrian Rogers says, “There are a lot of pressures on our kids today, and we’d better be certain they have something on the inside.”

Apply it to your life
Are you raising your children by faith? When posed with a choice, Moses evaluated the virtues his parents established in him in his youth. This led to a determination to follow God and eliminate the things of this world.

It began with Amram and Jochebed, just like it begins with you.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:22; Genesis 50:22-26

As he reached the end of his life, Joseph gave instructions to his loved ones about what to do with the bones he left behind.

Hebrews 11:22 says, “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.”

Joseph had faith that God would deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, so much faith that he asked that the Israelites take his bones with them. When we understand the blessing in his box of bones, we will learn how to live confidently and die without fear.

First, faith remembers the unbreakable promises of God.
In Genesis 50:24, Joseph tells his loved ones, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

Adrian Rogers says, “Faith is getting a promise from the Word of God.”

Though Joseph was placed in a coffin in Egypt, he believed his bones would see this promised land, because his faith was rooted in God’s promises.

Second, faith relies on the unshakeable power of God.
At this point, the Israelites did not have reason to leave Egypt. There was a famine in Canaan, and they had made themselves comfortable in Egypt. Joseph’s faith was contrary to evidence; it was not shaken by fickle emotions or circumstances. Joseph knew time must pass and that what would be left of him would be bones. But centuries cannot erode away the promises of God.

Finally, faith results in the unmistakable peace of God.
Joseph reached the end of his life in perfect peace. The Book of Joshua tells us that Joseph’s bones did, in fact, make it to the promised land. Rather than building a monument of pride in Egypt, he chose his humble box of bones to be a monument of faith in Canaan. Joseph’s faith reminds us that our citizenship is in Heaven. We no longer have to fear death; we can make it our friend, if only we keep our eyes on Jesus all our days.

Apply it to your life
Does your faith remember the promises of God? Do you rely on His power and rest in His peace? Do not let your circumstances, emotions, or seeming delays erode your faith. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Acts 12:1-11
The Book of Acts shares numerous accounts of triumph over difficulty, as the first Christians experienced victory through prayer.

In Acts 12, the Early Church faced persecution from Herod, who unleashed violence and put the Apostle Peter in prison (v. 1-4). Yet, in verse 5, we see that “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”

As we fight our battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is fundamental that we learn how to pray as the Early Church did.

First, we must recognize the freedom of their prayers.
Our enemy doesn’t want us to understand this. But try as he might, the devil cannot stop us from praying to our God; we are free to pray anytime, anywhere.

Second, we see their faithfulness; they never ceased to pray.
Whether God answers swiftly or there is a season of waiting, our approach to prayer should be faithful, constant, and frequent.

Their prayers were also fervent: charged with intensity.
Prayer is warfare—we should expect some opposition from the enemy; but we must pray wholeheartedly with fervor, concentration, and effort.

Their prayers also brought them together in fellowship.
Churches, which are built upon prayer, should be in the habit of drawing near to God together.

The Early Church’s prayer also revealed their faith.
They recognized that they were entering the throne room of God. And as we speak to God, we must do so with the faith that He will answer.

We should also note the focus of that prayer.
This church prayed specifically for Peter, who was in prison and set to be beheaded in the coming days. When we pray, we should avoid generalized requests and focus on specific concerns.

Finally, we must remember the force of their prayer.
God miraculously delivered Peter from prison. In the dead of night, Peter’s chains were broken, and the prison door was open. Peter walked out, just in time.

Adrian Rogers says, “When we depend upon planning, we see what planning can do. But when we depend upon prayer, we see what God can do.”



Apply it to your life
Have you experienced victory through prayer? Remember: prayer is no substitute for work or common sense. But when you begin to merge prayer with obedience, God begins to work on your behalf.



Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Jude 1:24-25
In this seemingly hopeless world, many of us are facing difficulties and trials, desperately in need of some hope.

Most of the Book of Jude paints a dark picture of what’s to come, yet it ends with a message of blessed assurance. No matter how grim the apostasy becomes, the children of God are going to make it through.

Jude 24-25 provides three reasons for our blessed assurance.

First, we are reminded of the sovereignty of the Savior:
“Now to Him who is able…” (Jude 24).

God is King of the Universe. He is able to do anything, and do it right. He is able to save us, to secure us and satisfy our souls. We will make it through the trials because He is able—our responsibility is our response to His ability.

Second, verse 24 shows us the security of the saint:
“...to keep you from stumbling…”

Adrian Rogers says, “People who are truly born again can never, ever again be lost souls: not because they hold onto God, but because God holds onto them.”

God is able to keep us from falling because of His fathomless love. In His infinite power, Jesus Christ preserves us. The same God who runs the Universe knows when we’re hurting. We are also secure because of His eternal purpose. There is an eternal chain of redemption that cannot be broken. Those whom God has called are justified to bring glory to God.

Adrian Rogers says, “What has been decreed by Heaven cannot be annulled by Hell.”

Finally, we are assured by the sufficiency of salvation:

“...and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior...” (Jude 24-25).

Through our salvation, God is working to make His children holy, sanctifying us. He is making us more like Jesus Christ with every passing day. And one day, very soon, He will present us before Himself, faultless. As a Bride walks to her Bridegroom, so will we enter His presence, without blemish.

Apply it to your life
As we endure trials and difficulties of many kinds, we can have the blessed assurance Jude describes in verses 24-25. Remember that God is able, that we are secure in our salvation, and that we are being made like Him. Keep the faith—press on until the very end.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Jude 1:22-23
Our souls are worth more than anything this world has to offer; that’s why the heart of God is wrapped up in the matter of soul-winning.

Jesus is the supreme example of this and commands us to follow His lead through the Great Commission.

Adrian Rogers says, “If you are not endeavoring to bring men to Jesus Christ, you are living in sheer disobedience to your holy call.”

Jude 22-23 reinforces the call to rescue the perishing and share the Gospel with this lost world.

First, this passage shares the soul winner’s compassion:

“And on some have compassion, making a distinction…” (Jude 22).

We are motivated by God’s love for us to have compassion on others and share the Gospel with them. Our method of compassion is by way of the Church; the Church’s primary job is to seek the lost and bring them in.

Second, we see the soul winner’s compulsion:
“...but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…” (Jude 23).

The fire in this passage symbolizes the flames of Hell and separation from God. Our fear of our fellow man’s eternal doom urgently motivates us to tell him about Jesus Christ.

Finally, this passage shares the soul winner’s caution:
“...hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 23).

This passage indicates that the ones we snatch from the flames are moral lepers. In Scripture, sin is illustrated by leprosy: a horribly contagious disease that isolated men and labeled them “unclean.” In Leviticus, God instructed Moses to burn the garments the lepers wore with fire, lest they catch the disease. When we deal with lost souls, we cannot let our compassion and compulsion destroy our caution. We must never compromise our own morals to win somebody to Jesus Christ.

Adrian Rogers says, “You never bring people to Jesus Christ by becoming like them; you may be with them, but do not become like them.”

Jesus was a friend of sinners, and we should be as well; but He lived a holy life, and we should, too.

Apply it to your life
Do you have the soul winner’s compassion for sinners? Pray and ask God to give you a fresh urgency to share the Gospel with others. Pray for His Spirit to protect you, so that the contagion of sin will not touch you as you draw close to sinners.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Jude 1:17-21

The Bible warns us that in the Last Days, many men shall depart from the faith. The Book of Jude prophecies the apostates to come and gives us insight on surviving the apostasy.

First, we must remember our exhortation.
Jude 17-18 says, “But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.”

These verses warn us of apostates who want to disprove the Bible as the Word of God. We don’t have to be taken off guard or deceived.

Second, we must recognize our enemy.
“These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit” (Jude 19).

Apostates present themselves as unifiers, yet they cause division because those who know and believe the truth cannot walk arm-in-arm with apostasy.

They are depraved – being motivated by the flesh rather than by the Spirit of God. And because they don’t have the Spirit of God, they are dead in their flesh.

We must retain our environment.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20-21).

This passage urges us to keep ourselves in God’s love.

Adrian Rogers says, “If you are going to survive the apostasy, the safest place is in the love of God.”

Though we can’t lose God’s love for us, we can remove ourselves from the protection and provision of His love if we aren’t vigilant.

We retain our environment by building our faith on God’s Word. We also remain in God’s love by praying in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit encourages, enlightens, and energizes our prayers; He expresses to us how we should pray.

Finally, we must look to Jesus with steadfastness.
Apostasy is one of the signs that Jesus is at the door; He may come any day now. We must be sure to keep our eyes on Him, who keeps us.

Apply it to your life
As Believers living on the edge of eternity, we must remember our exhortation, recognize our enemy, retain our environment, and look to Jesus with steadfastness. Get a hold of God’s Word and put it into practice; pray in the Spirit and look to Jesus, our blessed hope.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Jude 1:14-15
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the greatest prophetic event of all the ages, and the signs of the times warn us that it is coming soon.

One of the signs of the Last Days is apostasy—when people who have received truth go on to reject and ridicule it.

Jude 14-15 warns apostates of their judgment to come from Jesus Christ Himself.

First, we see the surety of His coming:
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes…’” (Jude 14).

Merely seven generations from Adam, Enoch was the first to prophesy the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. God gave Enoch a vision of the Second Coming, before Jesus had ever walked the Earth the first time. In days of apostasy, Enoch was a holy man who walked so closely with God, the Lord brought Him up, so he never actually died.

Enoch’s “rapture” is a prophetic picture of the Church in the Last Days, when the Lord raptures His people and meets them in the air.

Second, we see the severity of His coming:
“...to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds...” (Jude 15).

Adrian Rogers says, “The first time Jesus came to redeem; the second time He is coming to judge.” God’s heart yearns that we would not be judged. We see this in God’s promise to Enoch to withhold His judgment upon the Earth until after Enoch’s son, Methuselah’s death.

Methuselah represents the mercy of God. Though men deserved to be punished for their wickedness, God held back His judgment until after Methuselah died. Then, God flooded the Earth, still sparing Enoch’s lineage through Noah.

One of these days, mercy will give way to judgment. God has not forgotten His promise; Jesus is coming back to execute judgment.

Third, we see the sanctity of His coming.
Jude 14 says the Lord will return with “ten thousands of His saints.” This means we are coming back with Him. God’s kingdom will come; as waters cover the sea, the Earth will be filled with His glory.

Apply it to your life
Are you following Jesus now, while His mercy still holds back the judgment to come? Share your testimony with people today and pray they will come to know the Lord as Savior, lest they meet Him as Judge.