Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 5

Our achievements in life are impelled by the drive behind them. If we want to be soul winners for the cause of Christ, the apostle Paul offers six mighty motivations in 2 Corinthians 5.

First, we see the soul winner’s compulsion: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well-pleasing to Him…” (2 Corinthians 5:9). Our goal is to please God; if we are not bringing souls to Christ, we are not acceptable to God.

We also recognize our compensation: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). We will be compensated for our soul-winning work at the judgment seat of Christ. And whatever reward He gives us will never see corruption.

Third, remember the soul winner’s conviction: “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Paul reminds us of what it means for a soul to die unredeemed, destined for Hell; he understood the terror of the Lord.

We are also motivated by our compassion: “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you...” (2 Corinthians 5:13).

Adrian Rogers says, “What motivates me is not my love for people; it is my love for Jesus. Yes, I love people, but the chief motivation of my life is His love for me and, therefore, His love through me.”

We remember our confidence: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As Christians, we are confident that when we lead a soul to Christ, he will become a new creature. Every person is a potential brother or sister in the faith.

Finally, we read of the soul winner’s commission: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…” (2 Corinthians 5:18). We are saved to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors of the King of kings, appointed and anointed by God Himself.

Apply it to your life

Are you motivated, today, to win souls for Jesus Christ? Remember these six mighty motivations as you prayerfully and boldly share your faith.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 2:1-8, 16

In Romans 2, the Apostle Paul reveals how God handles hypocrites, specifically addressing those who were indignant at the sins of others, and indulgent in their own.

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things…” (Romans 2:1).

Hypocrites will be judged according to the truth, so there will be no disguise.

Today, we see truth being exchanged for style and sacrificed for comfort. But no performance or pretense will fool God, as truth is His standard.

Hypocrisy comes from within; a hypocritical heart believes that outward appearance is all that matters. If hypocrites can appear righteous, they believe they will be seen as righteous in the eyes of God.

Adrian Rogers says, “God doesn’t look on the exterior; God looks at the heart.”

Hypocrites also believe that if they do not have trouble, they are right with God. But we know our blessings are not merited by our behavior. God gives us blessings to bring us to Him, to lead us to repentance. Delayed judgment does not mean no judgment; God waits until the time is ripe before He judges, and we will not escape His judgment.

Hypocrites will be judged according to their deeds, without distinction.

As Christians, we are not saved by works, but we are judged by works. We will be held accountable for our actions and attitudes, as well as for our advantages.

Finally, hypocrites will be judged according to the Gospel.

“...in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Romans 2:16).

Adrian Rogers says, “If the Gospel does not save you, the Gospel will judge you. The same Jesus who wants to be your Savior will one day be your Judge if you do not allow Him to save you.”

The Gospel is a two-edged sword that will either heal or slay. It reveals everything we try to repress and hide, and often, the judgment of the hypocrite is harsher than that of the heathen.

Apply it to your life

Knowing the dangers of hypocrisy, are there any areas in your life that you need to confess and repent of? Pray and ask God to examine your heart, so that you can identify your struggles and live authentically and truthfully.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Psalm 128

Perhaps the most difficult and profoundly rewarding role a man could ever commit to is being a good Dad. The faith of our fathers is what leads our families through the minefield of today’s world.

Psalm 128 describes a faithful father in four ways.

First, it is his character.

If you fear God, you will walk in the way of God. Though we will inevitably make mistakes, we can be fathers who leave a legacy of integrity.

“When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:2).

Second, a godly father loves his companion—his faithful, fruitful wife.

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house…” (Psalm 128:3a).

If the wife is the vine, you, as a wise father, understand it is your job to take care of your wife’s love and needs, so she may meet the needs of your children and your household.

Third, a godly father leads his children.

“...your children like olive plants all around your table” (Psalm 128:3b).

In the Bible, olives symbolize fruitfulness and righteousness. This verse is a beautiful picture of how a godly father’s righteousness is reproduced through his children.

A good father learns consistency in discipline and cultivates his children through quality time.

Finally, a godly father leaves a legacy.

“The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children” (Psalm 128:5-6).

A generation raised by strong, God-fearing fathers makes a strong nation. America will not be changed until our families are changed; and our families will not be changed until the fathers are changed.

Adrian Rogers says, “You can’t do anything about your ancestors, but you can do something about your descendants.”

As fathers, we have an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of our children, and our children’s children; let us not waste it.

Apply it to your life

Are you leading your family with character—do you love your wife and lead your children on the paths of righteousness? Consider the legacy you are leaving behind.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Proverbs 17:17

One of the greatest and deepest needs we have as human beings is friendship. We all long for someone who knows, loves, and accepts us—someone who understands our wants, needs, hurts, and fears.

The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom for making friends forever, and how to first be the friend we all need.

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

There are certain marks of true friendship.

A friend is someone who shares his or her strengths, blessings, and hope; a friend will share in hard times and in celebration; a friend loves at all times.

A true friend is also someone who sharpens; Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” A good friend is the sharp edge of our lives, who encourages,

challenges, and confronts us when necessary; true friends make us better people.

And a friend is someone who sticks; Proverbs 28:14 says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

There are some important things to remember when making friends:

We make friends by being friends; it is wise to remember that people want to be accepted, acknowledged, and appreciated. We need to pay attention to people, become great listeners, and find something to compliment.

People also want to be affirmed and assured; in this negative world, the most beautiful thing we can do is empathize with one another.

When we build friendships, we must remember to maintain them. Adrian Rogers says, “You can have a lot of acquaintances, but genuine friends are costly. They cost time and effort; there is an investment; don’t have more friends than you can show yourself friendly to.”

Finally, we must remember the ministry of a friendship. There are lost people in this world who need the love and friendship of Jesus Christ; as His Body, we have the responsibility of loving as He loved.

Apply it to your life

Are you in the ministry of making friends? If you are a leader, set the tone and the atmosphere; be approachable and real.

As a church member, learn how to greet people and remember to be warm and welcoming to the people the Lord brings in.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Luke 10:25-37

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells the story of a man receiving aid from his cultural enemy after falling among thieves.

The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals the true meaning of being a good neighbor and teaches us how to be a good friend to those who are suffering all around us.

First, this story is about criminal inhumanity.

“‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead’...” (Luke 10:30).

The traveler in this story is a picture of humanity going away from God, battered and robbed by the devil. We live in a hurting world of crushed hearts, bruised spirits, and emotional wounds. People need love; they need the relief of a friend who will care for their hurts.

This story also reveals casual indifference.

In Luke 10:31-32, two self-righteous men, a priest, and a Levite, pass by the wounded man. These men represent people who follow the rituals and rules of religion but do not have Jesus Christ. Jesus is teaching through this story that religion with its rituals and rules cannot save… only He can.

Good Samaritan shows us that loving our neighbor means showing compassionate involvement.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion” (Luke 10:33).

This compassion must be genuine and gracious; we don’t just wait until hurting people come to us; we go to them.

Adrian Rogers says, “A person who has compassion sees people through the eyes of Christ.”

This compassion is also gentle: “So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” (Luke 10:34).

In the Bible, oil is an emblem of the Holy Spirit, and wine is symbolic of the blood of Jesus Christ. Oil soothes and wine cleanses.

As we have been cared for by Jesus Christ—who takes our place, carries us where we cannot go ourselves, and binds our wounds—we should care for others

Apply it to your life

There are so many around us walking around with unseen wounds. We must see them with compassion. Commit to sharing the love of Jesus today and be a good friend to someone in need.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:10-14

If we stand up for Jesus, we will be persecuted. The only way to escape it is to compromise—to conform to this world. Instead, we must decide now that we will learn to stand for Jesus, no matter what happens.

Matthew 5:10 reveals, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Adrian Rogers says, “Persecution that you receive is the thermometer that registers your love and your courage for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The first reason we are persecuted is because of the life we show.

Persecution means to divide; Christians are persecuted because we are different, distinct by our righteousness.

The second reason we are persecuted is due to the lies we suffer.

Jesus was crucified because of false witnesses; likewise, Christians will be blamed for things they have not done.

But the main reason for our persecution is the Lord we serve.

Jesus says, “for my sake.” (See Matthew 5:11.) The world hates Jesus Christ because He stands against the very things the world stands for: liquor, abortion, pornography, pride, racism, hatred, and selfishness.

Jesus was an exposer of sin; He came to condemn sin and destroy the works of the devil. And as followers of Christ, whom He has called salt and light (irritants and exposers), we can expect to endure personal insult and physical intimidation. There will be social injustice coming from all sides: from the religious world, from the government, and even from our own families.

But we can enlist our persecution for the glory of God. Because we are children of the King, we reign in life and can return good for evil.

We must also rejoice in the Lord; we have been identified as followers of Christ, and associated with the Lord... what an honor!

Finally, we should respond in love. We could be great witnesses if we respond to the hate of this world with the love it desperately needs.

These are days of golden opportunity to stand up and share Christ with others; let us not waste them by living in fear of persecution.

Apply it to your life

Knowing the reasons for persecution and the results of it, what is your response? Are you willing to follow Jesus in a world that hates Him? When you are persecuted, rejoice in the Lord and respond in love.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Colossians 2:10

In Jesus Christ, we are complete; we don’t have to look for anything else. Colossians 2:3 reminds us that all our treasure is hidden in Him, waiting for us to discover and appropriate it.

We must learn how to walk in the Spirit.

God the Holy Spirit wants to inhabit our human spirit, to speak to our minds, emotions, and wills.

Colossians 2:6 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…”

Notice how the Apostle Paul says to walk in the Spirit. We don’t just walk with the Spirit; the Holy Spirit must be the territory of our walk.

Adrian Rogers says, “The circumference of our walk is the sphere of the Spirit.”

We must make the decision to walk within the Spirit at all times.

He will supply all our needs according to the riches of His glory. The Christian walk begins when we take the first step, which is receiving Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. To live victoriously, we must walk in the Spirit one step at a time; once we begin, we never stop.

When we walk in the Lord, we’re under new management. Our very character changes; our lives begin to manifest the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He demands absolute control over our lives. To walk in the Spirit is to be like Jesus.

Finally, the Christian life is a continual walk.

Our “footsteps” are repentance and faith. These are not things we do once in order to get saved; we repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus daily.

Adrian Rogers says, “Repentance is turning from self; faith is turning to Jesus. And the more you turn from yourself and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, the more real He will seem to you.”

And the longer we walk with Him, the more we will realize the Holy Spirit’s control over our lives. We will be cured of our self-consciousness, greed, and competition, for we are complete in Him.

Apply it to your life

Is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ manifested in you? Is He the Lord of your life, the circumference of your walk? Are you taking steps of repentance and faith, turning from yourself, and turning to Jesus, every single day?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Timothy 3:12-17

We are living in a dangerous time of apostasy; it is crucial that we put our faith in Scripture, our sure word in difficult days.

2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”

The Bible is the very breath of God, fully inspired by Him. It is not a partial or progressive inspiration; it is full and complete. The Bible gives us instruction for righteousness.

Because the Bible is inspired and instructive, it is instrumental in several aspects of our spiritual lives.

First, the Scriptures are instrumental in salvation.

Our friends are not saved by our philosophies, ideas, or testimonies. Rather, it is only by the saving grace of Jesus Christ, stated in Scripture. The Word of God must be shared with people in order for them to be saved.

The Scriptures are also instrumental in our sanctification.

This does not mean the Bible makes us sinless; rather, it makes us mature.

Adrian Rogers says, “You’ll never be a strong, mature Christian until you get in the Word of God.”

Third, the Scriptures are necessary for service.

God does not send us into spiritual war unarmed; the Bible equips us for service, like soldiers in a battle. Our faith is not blind or superstitious; it is rooted in evidence. There is historical and scientific evidence in the Bible; it is an indestructible book that has lasted through the ages. It is meant to be treasured.

Faith that is rooted in evidence goes beyond evidence. God is good to give us evidence, but there comes a time when we must go beyond evidence. Faith is more than an intellectual response to facts; it is a moral response to what God says through these facts. This is when faith then becomes its own best evidence.

A life built up by the Bible is not easily shaken by difficulty; if we are on the right foundation, we can face any fearful thing life throws our way.

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “If you are a fearful saint in these desperate days in which we live, get a bulldog grip on the Word of God because you’re going to need it.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:1-11

We all obtain salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Some grow in grace and knowledge; they become strong, vibrant, and victorious in their faith. Others stumble and stagger, slip and fall.

These are dangerous days in which our enemy has inspired confusion to divide God’s people and cause them to question their faith. But God wants us to be strong, stable, and steadfast.

2 Peter 1:1-11 shows us how to build stability into our lives.

First, we must have a faith that knows.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…” (2 Peter 1:2).

Assurance is not a feeling; it does not come from intellectual knowledge about God. Assurance is the experiential knowledge that comes from being with God.

Adrian Rogers says, “In the Christian life, there is nothing to earn but there is a lot to learn.”

Through the knowledge of Jesus, we receive pardon for our sins. After our pardon comes peace with God, and after peace comes power.

But we must remember, God has already given these things to us; we are not limited by facts, only our own minds. If we know God’s promises, we can hold onto them in times of deliverance.

Second, we must have a faith that grows.

“...giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge…” (2 Peter 1:5).

If we have this precious faith, we will be diligent about our growth (see 2 Peter 3:18). If we are not growing, we will fall.

The characteristics listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 expand on one another. The first described is virtue, or moral excellence. This leads to practical knowledge, which leads to temperance (or self-control). Self-control will become patience, first in daily trials, then in persecution. And that will lead to God-likeness, which enables us to love one another.

Finally, we must have a faith that shows.

“For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful…” (2 Peter 1:8).

As we begin to grow, we will no longer be barren, blind, or bewildered; instead, we’ll bear the fruit and have deep assurance that we are saved. This assurance is the key to stability in our faith

Apply it to your life

Do you have a knowledge of God and a growing faith? Do you bear the fruit of the Spirit for the world to see?

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-16

In the 1st Century, Christians were accused of subversion, of being an economic threat, and of condemning others. Their accounts are a clear warning of the days ahead for Christians of the 21st Century. In 1 Peter, we are instructed to be real, to be ready, and to be bright lights in a dark world.

1 Peter 3:13-14 says, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed…”

There are six things we need to remember if we want to shine in these dark days.

First, we must enthrone Christ as Lord: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…” (1 Peter 3:15). Often we hear people say they’ve accepted Jesus as their Savior, but we cannot have what He gives unless we accept Him as Lord. Adrian Rogers says, “You’re not saved by the plan of salvation; you’re saved by the man of salvation and His name is Jesus.”

Second, we must be ready with an answer: “...always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you...” (1 Peter 3:15). If we have truly been saved, there will be something about us that is unexplainable; we must be ready to give a defense for our faith.

Third, we must practice genuine humility: “...with meekness and fear…” (1 Peter 3:15). Meekness is not weakness, it is strength under control. In this context, fear is not trembling at what is happening around us; it speaks of holy reverence for Almighty God.

We must also live a superior lifestyle: “...having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Peter 3:16). We are called to be wise in our conduct and speech. We must also display genuine love. Our logic and our lifestyle have to go together—a full mind wedded with a loving heart.

Finally, we must always hold onto hope; Jesus has met the deepest needs of our hearts, therefore we have hope.

Apply it to your life
These are the greatest days of evangelism in the history of the Christian church. In light of the current climate of this world, we should go out with banners unfurled and be bright lights in a dark world.