Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Proverbs 21:22-28

The great hunger of every human heart is to know Jesus in a real way. The world is tired of hypocrisy and games; the only way we will reach people with the Gospel is if we are real, not cardboard, Christians.

Proverbs 21:28 says, “A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears him will speak endlessly.” This passage reveals the fatality of a false witness; it is dangerous to be a phony.

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus gives a grave warning to those who merely appear to be saved. He warns us of their false praying, false teaching, and false power. Though they seem to have done a lot of good for the Kingdom of God, they have done it in vain, because they are not truly born again.

Yet, this passage also addresses the reality of a faithful witness. There are three marks of a true Christian that signify that his worship is real.

First, he has a listening worship.
No one is prepared to serve the Lord until he has first heard the Lord. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” We hear God through prayer and through the power of Scripture. The Bible has the power to convert, to conquer, to counsel, and to commune.

Second, he has a faithful witness.
Because the faithful witness listens to God, he speaks of what God has done in him.

Adrian Rogers says, “We dare not speak for God until we’ve heard God. But if we’ve heard God, we dare not be silent.” We are all called to be witnesses. Yet we cannot speak of what we haven’t seen or heard. The mark of a Christian is the burden for souls and the burning desire to share Jesus with others.

Finally, he has a lasting walk.
1 John 2:19 explains how cardboard Christians do not last: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us…”

True, solid faith lasts; we have the joy to know that those who are truly in Christ Jesus can never be separated from Him.

Apply it to your life
Are you a faithful witness—having heard from God, now with a desire to share Him with others? Consider your walk with Christ today; be sure you are rooted in real faith.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Proverbs 14:14

King David, though a man after God’s own heart, was a great sinner and backslider. In 2 Samuel 11, he committed adultery and, in covering it up, he committed murder. But in 2 Samuel 12, we find that David was also a great repenter. He exemplifies the way back to God after we slide into sin.

We must first recognize the causes of David’s sin. In a time of war, David was at home while his army fought without him.

Adrian Rogers says, “The sin of omission is failure to do what you ought to be doing.”

David’s casualness quickly turned into a careless, compulsive affair with a married woman. That carelessness turned into callousness. After committing the hot-blooded sin of adultery, David murdered his mistress’ husband, Uriah, in cold blood.

We also see the costs David faced when he covered up his sins rather than confess them. He aged prematurely, his body groaned inwardly under heavy conviction, and he experienced a spiritual dryness.

Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

David’s backsliding was a critical condition. As children of God, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins until we confess them. If we do not, God must chastise us as he did David. God is more interested in our relationship with Him than anything else; He will do whatever He has to in order to restore it.

Then, God will use someone or something in our lives to confront us about our sins. For David, he sent the prophet Nathan, before his continual sin cost him his life.

2 Samuel 12:13 conveys that, had David persisted in his sin, God would have killed him. Once David realized how far he had drifted from God, he was desperate to find the way back. We don’t have to carry around our own condemnation anymore; we can be clean.



Apply it to your life
Proverbs 14:14 says, “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.” Do you have any unconfessed sin weighing on you today? Ask God to search your heart and reveal your sin to you. Confess it, and be cleansed by God’s forgiveness.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Proverbs 13:7

Adrian Rogers says, “The measure of a man is what that man thinks about money.”

The Bible does not condemn having money, nor does it put a premium on poverty. But there are many Believers who do not understand the meaning of true riches.

Proverbs 13:7 says, “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing…” This passage first reveals the poverty of the godless rich. There are several ways for a man to be wealthy in the eyes of the world yet have a poverty-stricken spirit.

A man is poor, no matter how much he has, when he seeks satisfaction in his money.
Our lives are not a sum of our possessions; when we act as if they are, we’ll be empty.

A man is also poor when his money increases his trouble.
There comes a point when all that we think we need is actually a burden rather than a blessing.

A man is poor when the goal of his life is making money.
This consuming drive will control his character and distort his values.

A man is also poor when he has no treasure in Heaven.
We will not bring our earthly riches with us into Heaven. Anything of real value is of lasting value; the more we give of it, the more we have of it.

Finally, a man is poor when he doesn’t have Jesus in his heart.
We cannot buy our way into Heaven. Our earthly riches will do us no good on Judgment Day; we cannot bribe the Judge.

Proverbs 13:7 also describes the prosperity of the godly poor: “...and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.”

Money is not evil, but it does not equate to godliness.

A man is truly rich, no matter how little he has, when he is content with what he has been given.
He has spiritual riches: being right with God, having hope, purpose, and peace in life. He has secure riches: the inheritance reserved for him in Heaven cannot be destroyed. He has a godly legacy to leave behind. Finally, he has satisfying riches, for his riches are found in the Lord.



Apply it to your life
Do you have true riches that are spiritual, secure, and satisfying?

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Proverbs 29:1

In front of every unsaved person, there is a deadline. If we cross God’s deadline, it is too late. Proverbs 29:1 reveals: “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

There are three thoughts to draw from this passage, so that we may never know the pain of crossing God’s deadline.

God deals with sinners over and over again, convicting us in loving patience. He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit and through situations we face. God also speaks through His believers and through Scripture.

But sometimes, when God convicts, we still rebel; Proverbs explains that a stiffened neck represents the refusal of God’s conviction.

Sometimes people harden their necks to the Gospel by procrastination.
Postponing salvation is detrimental for three reasons: If you wait until tomorrow, you’ll lose tonight; something worse may come tomorrow, or tomorrow may not come.

Another way people harden their necks is by pride.
Many are afraid of what other people will think if they confess their sins.

Adrian Rogers says, “When God judges your sin, He does not judge primarily by the outward sin committed, but by the inward light rejected.”

People also harden their necks because of worldly pleasures.
They are afraid to give their hearts to Jesus because they are afraid of what they will have to give up. They forget that the only things God asks us to give up are things that hurt us.

Adrian Rogers says, “If it’ll make you healthy, happy, holy and wholesome, God says, ‘Help yourself.’”

When man rebels against God’s convictions and reaches that deadline, he will face sudden destruction. His mind will be destroyed through strong delusion; because he has refused the truth, he will believe lies. His spirit will be destroyed through spiritual desertion; the Holy Spirit will withdraw Himself from a rebellious man. His body will be destroyed through sudden death; the remedy will no longer be available.

Then he will face a settled destiny. Once he has crossed God’s deadline, judgment begins; there is no turning back. Once he is in Hell, he is broken beyond repair. What a powerful reminder to come to Jesus while we can.

Apply it to your life
This is the day to be saved. It is the day to listen to God’s conviction, give up your stubborn rebellion and change your settled destiny before it’s too late.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Proverbs 1:20

Adrian Rogers says, “The voice of wisdom is the voice of God; when wisdom speaks, God speaks.”

Wisdom is perhaps the most important virtue, and there is a deadline to obtain it. One of these days, God will issue His final call for wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 1:20-33.

This passage reveals the invitation of wisdom.
“Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares… ‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge…’” (Proverbs 1:20-22).

The call to wisdom is a public invitation available to anyone who would seek it. It is a pressing matter, yet it is also a patient invitation; though many will continue in their folly, Wisdom continues to call people unto herself.

This passage explains the indoctrination of wisdom.
“Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you’” (Proverbs 1:23).

We can diligently memorize the facts, dates, and events in Scripture, but we’ll never understand its wisdom until we repent of our folly.

Adrian Rogers says, “The only way you’re going to know the truth of God’s Word is for the Holy Spirit to turn the light on in your sin-darkened soul.” Once a sinner repents, the Spirit will reveal the wisdom of Scripture and affirm its reliability in his heart.

Finally, this passage conveys the indignation of wisdom.
“They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies” (Proverbs 1:30-31).

When the call to wisdom is rejected time and time again, the invitation will eventually turn to indignation. This derision will lead to desolation; no longer will God’s voice be heard, no longer will His hand be outstretched. This will lead to sure destruction. There is coming a time when lost sinners will stand before the judgment of God, asking for mercy.

Today is the day of mercy; wisdom stretches her hands, lifts up her voice, offers herself to us. May we repent of our foolish ways before it is too late.

Apply it to your life
Have you accepted the invitation of wisdom? Today is the day to repent of your ways and be filled with the Spirit of God.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Revelation 13:1-8

Scripture offers prophecies to warn us of the future and edify us as we live through these Last Days. Revelation 13 describes a man, the antichrist, who will rise to power during the Great Tribulation; we must beware of this beast.

This passage first describes the social unrest that proceeds the beast:
“And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea…” (Revelation 13:1). The sea symbolizes society in turmoil and distress, as the Bible claims wicked people are like the troubled sea. (Isaiah 57:20). This desperately wicked world is ripe for the antichrist’s entrance.

This passage also shares the beast’s satanic attributes:
“...like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion” (Revelation 13:2).

Third, we see how the beast will seduce the world.
Revelation 13:3 claims the beast will seem appealing, charming, and clever. The whole world will marvel at this man, who disguises himself as a man of peace.

But this passage also addresses his sinister ambitions.
“Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Revelation 13:6-7).

He will be driven to deify Satan, defy the Savior, destroy the saints, dominate society and delude sinners.

Finally, this passage warns us of the false prophet, who will present the beast to the whole world.
Much like the Holy Spirit brings people to worship Jesus, the false prophet is designed to bring people to worship the beast in the End Times.

Revelation 13:13-16 explains that the false prophet—who by causing fire in the heavens, worship of an image of the beast, and controlling the world’s commerce through a mark of the beast—will bring the entire world to the beast’s feet.

Adrian Rogers says, “If you’re not sealed by the Spirit, you will be branded by the beast.”

Apply it to your life
Jesus is coming back soon; would you be bold enough to point people to Him, today?

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

Though it has been anticipated for over two thousand years, Jesus Christ could come again at any moment, as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. But as children of God, we have a settled faith. 2 Thessalonians 1-2 reveals how to have a steadfast hope in a shaky world: “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (1:7).

First, we need not be dismayed; when Jesus comes again, His lordship will be revealed. Though we don’t know the exact time or day, we know He will return exactly on time. “…when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed” (1:10). We will be witnesses of His redeeming love, saving grace, and keeping power; our testimonies will be what brings others to wonder at Him as well.

Secondly, we need not be deceived; the devil is a liar and inspires deception. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 states: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…” As Jesus says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9); the antichrist will come directly from the devil. Though his wickedness is already at work in this world, the antichrist also has a precise timeframe in which he will be revealed (2:6-7).

Finally, we need not be disappointed. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 reveals, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

Adrian Rogers explains, “The same Jesus that spoke them into existence is going to speak them into oblivion.” Jesus, who came first to seek and to save, will return with judgment. He came first in mercy; He will return in flaming fire, to take vengeance. He came first in humility; He will return in incredible power.

Apply it to your life
Knowing our Lord is returning soon, there are a few things to remember as we hold onto our hope in this shaky world:

Pray continuously.
Witness to anyone and everyone.
Worship God as a family.
Don’t be dismayed by what you see on the news.
Know that your hope is in Jesus Christ, steadfast and sure.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

If we believe in our hearts that Jesus is coming again, we must be ready for His return; 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says He will come “like a thief in the night.” This chapter, 1 Thessalonians 5, offers four truths about Jesus’ glorious return.

First, it will be a surprising day.
We are certain that He is coming, but we do not know when. As we wait for Him, we should be sharing our faith with others, so that they are also ready for the Second Coming.

Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus Christ is coming; He came on time, He was born on time, He died on time, and He rose on time. He’s coming again in His own time; He will never be late.”

Second, we can escape sudden destruction.
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4). The day of Christ’s return will be a solemn, sudden, and sure day—the calm before the storm of judgment to come. On that day, He will rapture His Church from the world, and believers will escape the Great Tribulation prophesied in Revelation.

Third, we must endure this surrounding darkness.
We live in a world plagued by moral, spiritual, and political darkness. As children of God, we must be aware and wise up, be awake and get up, and be alert and dress up—putting on the armor of God. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:8, we need to get our hearts right and keep our heads right: “But let us who are of the day be sober.”

Finally, we will experience a sure deliverance:
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).

This passage explains that we can expect to be delivered from His wrath. This assurance is meant to edify us in these Last Days. As God rescued Noah and his family before flooding the Earth in Genesis 6, so will He rapture His Church before the Great Tribulation.

Apply it to your life
As we wait with expectation for Jesus’ return, we should be in the habit of sharing the Gospel. Adrian Rogers says, “Get your head out of the clouds of prophecy and get your feet on the pavement of soul-winning.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Daniel 9:20-27

Before Jesus stepped into our world the first time, Daniel 9 predicted His Second Coming. This Old Testament passage can be seen as an outline of the things to come in the Last Days, when time runs out.

“Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24).

This passage first designates the period of time (490 years), the people (God’s chosen people, Israel), and the place (the Holy City of Jerusalem) to take center stage in the End Times.

This passage also determines the prophecy’s purpose: “...to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy” (Daniel 9:24).

Adrian Rogers says, “God has a plan and in 490 years, He’s going to finish that plan; nothing has gotten out of hand, not a jot or a tittle will fail from the law, till all has been fulfilled.”

This passage also reveals how it will come about. “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince…” (Daniel 9:25).

This command to rebuild Jerusalem was given in the Book of Nehemiah; this is when God’s clock started ticking. Adding up the years recorded in the Bible concerning Israel’s commencement and construction, we calculate 483 of the 490 years prophesied.

When Jesus came, the clock stopped and it has yet to resume; there are seven more years of biblical prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

Daniel also saw Jerusalem being destroyed, symbolizing how God’s chosen people (Israel) rejected Him. We are living in an undetermined period of time marked by wars and desolations as God deals with Israel.

But once the Bride is complete, and the last soul is finally redeemed (Romans 11:25), Jesus will return to rapture the Church, and the clock will begin ticking again.

After the seven years of Tribulation, when the 490 years are complete, Jesus will step in once again.

As Adrian Rogers says, “This time, Jesus is not coming for His church, rather with His church in power and great glory; 777 will take care of 666.”

Apply it to your life

Study the prophecies in Daniel 9 with humility and reverence; ask the Lord to help you understand it and affirm it in your heart today.

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 1:10-28

There is a war against motherhood in our world. Perhaps the most powerful and influential class of people in the world today are magnificent mothers.

1 Samuel 1 tells the story of Hannah, a barren woman who wanted more than anything else to have a son. After much prayer, God gave Hannah a son named Samuel, who was considered one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.

Hannah’s story offers five powerful principles of magnificent motherhood.

The first is the principle of proper priority.
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish” (1 Samuel 1:10).

Hannah had a God-given instinct to be a mother. She recognized that there is no greater earthly blessing than children.

The second principle is the power of prayer.
Adrian Rogers says, “The time to begin to raise godly children is before they're born, and even before they're conceived.”

Hannah is one of several women in the Bible who were considered barren, and later given children by God; other examples are Sarah, Rachel, Ruth, and Elizabeth. Their children went on to bless the world and glorify God. Understanding this, we should begin praying for our children before they are ever conceived.

The third principle is purpose.
Hannah’s reason for wanting a child was to dedicate him back to God; she wanted to glorify God through her child. Our prayers for our children should not regard their wealth or power, but how they will glorify God.

The fourth principle is persistence.
“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him” (1 Samuel 1:17).

Hannah was a woman of prayer, but not just prayer easily uttered and soon forgotten; she continued to pray before and after this child was born. By her example, we learn to never waver in our prayers, no matter how dark the circumstances.

Finally, there’s the principle of persuasion.
A mother makes the deepest impression on a child; her chief weapon in her arsenal is the influence she has over her children.

Apply it to your life
Are you raising your children for the glory of God? Remember, those who will take that priority, make that prayer, own that purpose, commit to that persistence and persuasion, by the grace of God, will raise godly children.