Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: James 1:2-13 Do you want to be strong, prosperous, and content? All of us do. But do you want trials and tribulation? Most of us don’t. There will be heartache in this life. That is guaranteed. And as any loving Father would, God wants us to overcome it with unexplainable joy and strength. That is why He tests His children, so that we may learn to endure. Don’t be afraid of God’s tests; they are not there to make us stumble, rather, to teach us to stand. When we know this, there are a few things we discover when we learn to endure. We might be surprised to find joy in our trials. James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Why do we count it all joy? Because overcoming Christians are joyful Christians. We know that pain is inevitable, but in trials, we learn that misery is optional. We also grow exponentially when tribulation comes. James 1:4 says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The Greek word for “perfect” here doesn’t mean sinless —it means mature. Maturity comes with trials; as does enlightenment. We learn many new things and obtain so much wisdom that roots us in an unshakeable faith. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.” Endurance makes kings and queens out of the children of God. Adrian Rogers says, “If you do not bear the cross, you can’t wear the crown.” And when we learn to endure, we are brought to the place where we need nothing. We learn that there is no necessity that God is unable to meet. God wants to give His children the real riches of life. And once we learn that our greatest gift from God is the ability to endure, we will see trials and tribulations as opportunities to do so. Apply it to your life Are you going through a trial or tribulation right now? Endure; thank God for His gifts and His grace, and pray for the strength to endure. Do not waste this pain. Use it to glorify God.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Joshua 7:1 God has planned a life of victory for each one of us, yet many Christians live in defeat. They have saved souls and lost lives. Defeat is possible, but not necessary. Joshua 7 reminds us of the pitfalls of defeat we could face and the key to unbroken victory. “But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan… of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel” (Joshua 7:1). After a huge victory, the Israelites pitched tents outside of a fallen city. In the night, Achan snuck into the city and stole the goods which were dedicated to God. Having taken what belonged to God, he brought a curse upon himself and Israel. This passage first tells us that great victories are often followed by great defeats. Though one man’s sin led to the ultimate downfall, Israel was guilty of plenty. The people’s carelessness and prayerlessness revealed the pride in their hearts. They did not feel the need to pray before heading into battle, presuming God was with them. But it was Achan’s sin of covetousness that caused them to fall, as he confessed himself, “I coveted… I took… I hid…” (see Joshua 7:21). Adrian Rogers says, “Covetousness is an unlawful desire that grows in the soil of an unsatisfied heart.” Second, private sin is never really private. Achan’s sin dishonored God and brought defeat to his brothers. He disgraced his family and brought on the ultimate destruction to his loved ones, as they were stoned and burned with fire. Our “hidden” sins do not just affect us; they affect everyone around us. Third, every sin that we cover, God will uncover. The things done in secret will be shouted from the rooftops. Whether by revelation, confession, or retribution, every sin must be judged. Finally, every sin that we uncover, God will cover. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Adrian Rogers says, “The key to unbroken victory is not perfection; it is continual, perpetual confession, keeping your heart right where there is no unconfessed sin.” Apply it to your life Do you have any unconfessed sin in your heart? Bring it before God and ask for His forgiveness. Don’t live in defeat any longer; live in unbroken victory.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 17:1-6 Our nation is in a battle for values; the morals and ethics that made this nation great are eroding before us. Judges 17 shares an eerily similar sad case of vanishing values. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). As a result, there were families without foundations. In America today, we are drowning in religion, but none of it is rooted in biblical truth. Our families are morally and spiritually bankrupt. The ethical standard we’ve liberated ourselves from is what’s held society together. There was also during the time of Judges a lack of principle in their pastors. Those who preach the Gospel must live the Gospel, and there is an especially high standard for those in vocational ministry. John 10:12 warns, “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees...” Third, values vanish when the government separates itself from God. Our generation wants what belongs to somebody else; we believe we have the right to take what doesn’t belong to us. We are motivated by greed, materialism, and selfishness. We are biblically instructed to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. But the Bible is also against the misappropriation of other people’s goods through covetousness and dissatisfaction. Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible teaches that we are to worship God, love people, and use things. But what we do is worship things, use people, and forget God.” Romans 1 gives clear warning to the nation whose values begin to vanish. Substituting science for God, practicing idolatry, and developing uncontrollable lusts of the flesh will lead to a death of conscience. The mind becomes morally useless, as every man does that which is right in his own mind. We must know what the Bible says about values, be active members of a Bible-believing church, and pray for our nation. Apply it to your life We are in desperate need of a moral and spiritual revival. Begin by building your family on biblical values; get plugged into the ministry of a God-appointed church and pray for our nation.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 13:24 Judges 13-16 tells the story of Samson, a Nazarite who was set aside by God for a purpose; He had been anointed with tremendous supernatural strength through the Holy Spirit. However, Samson was a bundle of contradictions. His story is not ultimately about his physical, mental, and spiritual strength; rather, it is about the high cost of low living. Samson’s sin meant he dishonored his parents. Samson’s parents were godly people; Samson fell into the wrong company and decided to marry a pagan girl despite his parents’ disapproval. Marrying someone who is not of the same faith almost always leads to disagreement, division, and confused children. Samson’s parents wanted more for him, but he settled for less. Samson also deserted his promise. (See Judges 14:5.) As he hung around the wrong crowd, he was hardened more and more by sin, forgetting his vow as a Nazarite. He also distorted his purpose. Samson’s strength was given to him to one day deliver Israel from the Philistines. Instead, he picked shallow fights with them, teasing his enemies and provoking them to anger. Samson defiled his purity. He wasted time with harlots without any conviction. (See Judges 14:16.) He also diluted his power. After breaking every other Nazarite vow up until this point, his uncut hair was the last vow. One prostitute, Deliliah, persistently begged to know the secret of his strength. When he told her, she relayed his secret to his enemies. Samson disgraced his profession. They cut his hair while he slept and his power was gone when he woke. The Spirit was gone from him; they blinded him and bound him. His series of small sins led to this tragic consequence. Finally, he diminished his potential. Now a spectacle in a Philistine temple, Samson repents of his sins and prays for strength one last time. God grants him enough of it to push the pillars over to kill the Philistines present, but Samson died with them. By God’s sovereignty, Samson’s purpose was fulfilled, yet he could have been used for so much more. God’s mercy is new every day. Adrian Rogers says, “While a child of God may not lose his salvation, he has so much to lose if he sins.” Apply it to your life Don’t play lightly with sin. Adrian Rogers says, “Treat sin like sin would treat you. Sin will have no mercy on you; don't have mercy on your sin.”

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 9:8-15 The crisis of our nation concerns leadership. We are in desperate need of good, godly leadership. Judges 9:8-15 tells the story of a pitiful politician and a nation in disarray. This passage addresses the three thorns in a nation’s side, and the way to righteous leadership. The first thorn is the apostasy of an unthankful people. In Judges 8, God brought confusion into the camps of Israel’s enemies and gave His people a mighty victory. Yet, just one chapter later, the Israelites had already forgotten Him and turned to other gods. (See Judges 8:33.) This is more than just an issue of immorality—it is apostasy. This blatant act of turning from God is still happening today. Profanity is normalized and our children are desensitized; nothing shocks us anymore. Sin is socially acceptable, and godliness is stigmatized. The fixed standard of morality is long gone; it is only going to get filthier. The second thorn is the arrogance of an ungodly leader. In Judges 9, Abimelech rises with an unholy ambition to lead Israel. He builds a coalition, buys his constituents, and brutalizes his competition. His government was built on blood. However, he also had himself inaugurated with a show of religion. He tried to associate himself with godly things to fool others. There are some politicians who follow this pattern, who would build their campaigns on deception. Abimelech’s charade was accomplished through the apathy of uncommitted bystanders, which is the third thorn of the nation. As Edmond Burke says, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” When we buy into the niceties and luxuries of the sweet-talking politicians, we will find it difficult to root out the brambles of their unmet responsibilities. We must examine our leaders’ intentions with thought and care. Despite the despair of these passages, there was hope for Israel, just like there is hope for us. Adrian Rogers says, “The Book of Judges is not just what God has said; it is what God is saying.” God would rather forgive than judge. Even though our national sins are egregious, He is still a God of mercy; we must never lose hope for revival and restoration in our nation. Apply it to your life Pray for revival in our nation today, beginning with you; pray for God to raise up leaders who live to serve Him.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 11 There is a great and present need for men of character, integrity, and strength. Judges 11 tells the story of Jephthah, a mighty man of valor, who is an inspiration for all who want to be men and women of strength. First, he was a man of character in the face of difficulty: “Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah” (Judges 11:1). Jephthah’s undesirable origin as a harlot’s son meant he did not have any sort of upper hand in life, yet he rose to the occasion. We must become unshackled by our pasts and quit making excuses for sin. When we stop blaming our circumstances, we will finally rise to be what we ought to be. Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible teaches that guilt is real, that we are responsible; the Bible also teaches that grace is wonderful and forgiveness is free and full.” Jephthah also exhibited confidence in the face of danger. Assigned commander of the Israelite army, Jephthah was not fazed by his foes or fettered by his fear, because his confidence was in God. Before the battle ever began, Jephthah prayed to the Lord and asked for strength. (See Judges 11:11.) It was not a last resort, rather, a first thought. Finally, we see Jephthah’s commitment in the face of disappointment. Judges 11:29-33 describes the vow Jephthah made to God, that if God gave them victory, Jephthah would devote or sacrifice the first thing to meet him upon his arrival home. God gave him the victory; when he returned home, his daughter was the first one out to greet him. The Bible condemns human sacrifice. (Deuteronomy 12:31.) The Spirit of God would never lead Jephthah to contradict the Word of God. Rather, Jephthah devoted his virgin daughter to never marry and always serve the Lord. Jephthah kept his word, though it meant his lineage would end with her. Any righteous or holy vow he makes, a man of strength keeps it no matter the cost. Apply it to your life If Jephthah’s story tells us anything, it is how crucial it is to be people of prayer. Focus on your prayer life today. Men of strength are men of faith; and it is impossible to have faith if you are not a man of prayer.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 6:1-22 In Judges 6, Israel had forgotten God and the victory He had already given them. As a result, the nation was intimidated and impoverished by an oppressive enemy; the people’s shame was severe and continuous. Our nation suffers shame of its own. We’ve traded authority for relativism, truth for pragmatism. We’ve traded reason for feeling, convictions for opinion. We’ve done away with the fixed standard of right and wrong. Everyone does what is right in his own eyes. But God raised up an unlikely hero, Gideon, to fight for His people. And as our nation begins to fall into the same trap, we must recognize the four principles of victory in Gideon’s life, that we may be used like him. First, there was the principle of vision. Gideon had a vision of the living God. (See Judges 6:11.) Gideon lived in defeat and fear until he took his eyes from the enemy and fixed them on God instead. We have something far better than Gideon had: the Word of God and the Holy Spirit abiding in us. And there is no excuse for us not to have an encounter with the living God. Second, there was the principle of valor. Gideon was a man of valor, not because he felt brave in and of himself. Rather, God took this fearful man and transformed him with His power, enriched him with love, and enlightened him with a sound mind. Third, Gideon had the principle of vigilance. After dismissing those who were afraid to fight, God tested Gideon’s army further to see which soldiers would be careless and who would remain vigilant. (See Judges 7.) We don’t have to be afraid of our adversary, but we do have to watch, pray, and never let our guard down. Finally, Gideon had the principle of vitality. God’s plan is to take ordinary people and do something incredible through them. Adrian Rogers says, “It’s not your scholarship, it’s your relationship. It’s not your ability, it’s your availability. It’s not your fame, it’s your faith. It’s not who you are, it’s whose you are.” Apply it to your life How do we win the victory? Through boldness: The God that was with Gideon is the God that will be with us. By brokenness: God never really uses anything until He first breaks it. With brightness: Our commission as men and women of God is to let our light shine in a sinful, dark world.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 4:1-3 The Book of Judges tells us all about Israel’s cycle of sin—sinning against God, suffering for it, asking God for deliverance, and receiving it. But God would rather bless than judge; He is a God of mercy who desires to help us in our distress. Adrian Rogers says, “Don’t ever get the idea that you can sin successfully. Don’t ever get the idea that you can trust in God in vain. Sin can’t win and faith can’t fail.” In Judges 4, we see this in action, as God used the faith of Deborah and Barak to deliver all of Israel from her wicked enemy, Sisera. First, we identify the woman God chose. Deborah, a judge and prophetess in Israel, was a godly woman who used her gifting and wisdom to minister to Barak. God still uses women like Deborah to use their gifts and talents in ministry. Second, we see the warrior God called. There was a battle to be fought to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors. God chose Barak to lead the charge, because his faith was rooted in the God of Israel and he lived as he believed. Third, we recognize the wonder God caused. Judges 4:14 says, “Then Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?’ So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.” Barak and his army did not stand a chance against the Canaanites’ flashy weaponry and 900 iron chariots. But the fight was fixed, for the stars themselves fought the battle. (See Judges 5:20.) Before the battle began, God sent a rainstorm to soften the ground. This rendered the chariots useless and weighed down the Canaanites’ heavy armor. Adrian Rogers says, “God lined the stars up behind Barak. God lined the whole Universe behind him. The whole Universe is against the man who is against God. The whole Universe is behind the man who’s for God.” When we love and serve God, God is on our side and programs us for victory. Apply it to your life Every day, we face battles even more real than the one on Mount Tabor. As we face spiritual warfare and principalities and powers of darkness, we must act as men and women of faith.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Judges 1:1-2 The Book of Judges tells the story of how God blessed the nation of Israel, and how Israel then lost her glory. But, despite its darkness, this book holds out hope that God will bless the nation again. Judges 1 offers three takeaways, that we might bring back the glory of our own nation. “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, ‘Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?’ And the Lord said, ‘Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand’” (Judges 1:1-2). First, there was a glorious conquest. God gave the land to Israel; He gave the people a spiritual heritage. Though their histories diverge, there are striking parallels between Israel and America. God blessed America from the beginning; it is a country with a faith heritage and history. Yet, like Israel, there were days of gradual compromise. God gave Israel victory, but the next generation forgot it. God told the Israelites to drive the wicked Canaanites out of the land. They did not do it, because of their fear, favor, and eventual fellowship with their former enemies. We are facing a similar disheartening truth, that we have forgotten what God has done in our country. Long gone are the days of moral absolutes—rather, we live in a day of moral ambivalence. Whether it be because of fear, favor, or fellowship, we’ve kept destructive sins around, and allowed them to influence us. Adrian Rogers says, “Sin will take you further than you want to go, it’ll take you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay.” Finally, there were grim consequences. Judges 2:3-4 tells us that God gave them over to their sin. He didn’t have to judge them—He simply let them have their own way; they lost His protection. Likewise, the sins of our nation have cost America her protection. But God would rather forgive than judge. He would rather save than condemn. There is hope for America. The God who took care of Israel so long ago can do the same for America today. Apply it to your life Pray for revival in America, that through repentance and obedience, we would bring back the glory of a nation that serves God. Have faith in Him today.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Proverbs 14:34 Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” If we want to know what is wrong with our great nation, we should first look in the mirror. By and large, nations receive the kind of government they deserve. What we expect out of our Constitution and government today is not something they were designed to do. At this crucial time in our nation, we need to understand the only hope for America is God. First, righteousness is the exaltation of a nation. Righteousness and liberty are inextricably woven; there is no true liberty without true righteousness. Adrian Rogers says, “Righteousness is living responsibly under God.” Righteousness is assuming our God-given responsibilities as a citizen of the kingdom of God, and this country. Our liberty directly correlates with our character; when we lose responsibility, we lose character, and then we lose righteousness. Adrian Rogers says, “People who cannot live responsibly from within will be governed from without.” The Word of God teaches responsibilities of the Church, to the government, and vice versa. Respectfully, we do not want the government infringing upon our religious affairs. Likewise, as Christian citizens, we have a civic duty to pray for our government leaders, pay our taxes and express patriotism. Second, reproach is the humiliation of a nation. The government’s purpose is not to meet our needs; it is to protect us from tyranny and punish evildoers. However, the erosion of character has led to a perverted nation. We as a people have become too dependent upon the government to provide, and therefore, control us. But the government only gives what it first takes away. The government’s influence grows larger as our nation’s character dwindles more and more. Finally, revival is the restoration of a nation. America needs a new birth of freedom, and God is our only hope of that. We, as His people, are called to be salt and light—to purify, heal, preserve; to illuminate, guide and expose. (See Matthew 5:13-16.) We are not to go out and make demands for our liberty; instead, we must assume our responsibility, and let our character permeate our society. Apply it to your life It is not too late for America—liberty comes when God’s people assume their responsibility. Pray for a revival to break out across this nation today.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Nehemiah 1:1-3 The America of today is not the America that we once knew. This nation has been taken captive by the world, the flesh, and the devil. God has blessed America; but we have created greed out of abundance, turning freedom into license to sin. There is hope, as there was hope in the days of Nehemiah, but we must be committed to calling America back to God. In the days of the Old Testament, God’s people had been taken captive and carried away to a foreign land. In Nehemiah 1:1-3, Nehemiah, a cup-bearer to the king, heard about Jerusalem where a nation’s glory was now buried beneath despair. Nehemiah’s first response was to visualize the situation: he wanted to see the situation for what it was. City walls are for protection, and in this passage, Jerusalem’s walls had fallen. Spiritually, America’s walls of defense have fallen, and we are vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. We must get an accurate picture of how our nation’s moral walls have decayed, and how our spiritual gates have burned; once we picture it in our minds, it should break our hearts. “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah agonized over Jerusalem; he wept and prayed over the ruins of his home. Adrian Rogers said, “The things that break the heart of Almighty God ought to break our hearts.” Nehemiah’s prayer was filled with contrition, confession, and confidence. He prayed the Word of God, reminding God of His own promises to gather and restore those who have been scattered for His own sake. (See Nehemiah 1:8-9.) Finally, after committing himself completely to God and fasting and praying for four months, Nehemiah organized. He risked his own life and livelihood when he sought the king’s permission, protection, and provision to go on mission to restore the walls of Jerusalem. God is primarily looking for our obedience, faith, and love. When we get serious about serving Him—when we have visualized, agonized, and organized—He will grant us permission to carry out His will, with His protection and provision. Apply it to your life Would you commit to fasting and praying for America? Visualize the ways this nation is in trouble. Agonize in prayer for our country—praying with contrition, confession, confidence, and commitment.

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Psalm 78 America did not just happen; America was a gift from God. However, it seems as though the virtues and values upon which this nation was built have been trampled. What legacy are we going to leave for the generation to come? What is the America of tomorrow? It could look like Psalm 78. In this passage, God had blessed the nation Israel, delivered the people from the chains of slavery, and brought them into a good land. Yet, they defiled the land, denied the Lord, and disobeyed the new law. If we want to avoid the judgment given in Psalm 78, we must heed to this ancient truth in today's world, following three practical ways. First, we need to proclaim our history. As a country: America has a distinct spiritual heritage. We must teach our children America’s history of trusting in God. As a family: How did your family come to know Jesus? Do your children know the story of how the Gospel changed their heritage? As a church: It is crucial to remain rooted in the infallible Word of God our churches were built upon. As an individual: We must understand and acknowledge what God has done in our lives and tell the generation to come. Next, we need to retain our memory. As a nation, we have three evil principalities at work, trying to manipulate our perspectives. We see them exemplified in Psalm 78: The lust of the flesh: Rather than thanking God for blessings, Israel asked for more, testing His graciousness. The lure of the world: The people broke God’s heart by forgetting Him; they renovated the nation to exclude the One upon whom it was built. The lies of the devil: The one who steals, kills, and destroys was behind it all. Finally, we must reclaim our legacy. Adrian Rogers says, “Not only is God our greatest hope, but God is also our biggest threat. And the nation that was born in 1776 must be born again or we will join the graveyard of the nations.” The America of tomorrow depends on our decision to reclaim our legacy. We must do the best we can with what we’ve got, every chance we get. Apply it to your life Our only hope is to review our history, renew our memory, and reclaim our legacy. For the sake of the generation to come, repent and turn to God.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:3 Anyone can learn the facts and study history, but they cannot understand the deeper things of God unless they have a personal relationship with Him. To those who do not have the Holy Spirit within to illumine and interpret the Word of God, the Bible remains a mystery. In Matthew 13:11, Jesus says, “…it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” Jesus’ parables in Matthew 13 reveal seven sacred secrets we can only know if we know God personally. Expect many to reject the Gospel. (See Matthew 13:18-23.) Jesus knew the hardness of human hearts. In the Parable of the Sower, He explains that there are only a faithful few. He expects to be rejected by many. As soul winners, we should expect the same thing, but not let it discourage us from continuing to share the Gospel. Expect many church members to be hypocrites. (See Matthew 13:24-30.) Every church has hypocrites, but hypocrisy does not mean the Gospel has failed. It is not our job to separate the hypocrites from the true believers. Our business is to preach the Gospel. Expect the rise of false cults. (See Matthew 13:31-32.) The Bible tells us there will be an increase of false religion in the Last Days. Expect corruption in the professing church. (See Matthew 13:33.) The devil is at work in the church; he infiltrates it with spiritual “leaven,” which works stealthily to puff up the whole body. Anywhere there is right fellowship with God, expect traces of corruption and arrogance. Expect God to keep His word to the nation Israel. (See Matthew 13:44.) If we are wise, we will keep our eyes on Israel; we will see for ourselves what God has promised to do through His chosen people. Expect Jesus to be building His Church. (See Matthew 13:45-46.) Despite the rise of false religion and cults, Jesus will continue to build His Church, making her undivided and beautiful. Expect God to bring it all to judgment. (See Matthew 13:47-50.) God sees it all; He will bring about judgment upon the righteous and the wicked. Apply it to your life Are you a soul winner? Remember: your job is to share the Gospel, despite discouragement or rejection. Adrian Rogers says, “God’s job is to sort the catch; our job is to draw the net.”

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:45 Jesus taught us profound, heavenly lessons in the most practical parables. However, despite its simplicity, the strange mystery of the precious pearl is often misinterpreted by the most devoted believers. Jesus said in Matthew 13:45-46, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Some may think the merchant of the story is the lost sinner seeking the Lord Jesus. But this isn’t so—a sinner cannot initiate the search for God unless God has first initiated that desire in him. Ever since the beginning of time, God has been seeking Man. Adrian Rogers says, “If you sought Him, it was because He first sought you.” The bankrupt sinner cannot buy Christ; even if he had anything to buy Him with, Jesus Christ is not for sale. Salvation cannot be bought or earned. Therefore, the pearl of great price is not Jesus. The pearl is the Church, and the merchant is the Lord Jesus, who purchased the Church with His own precious blood. Much like a pearl is formed in the deep—grown through impurity, dirt, grit, and irritation—the Church has gone from depth to height, from guilt to glory. To divide it is to destroy it. Christ’s Bride is one Church without spot, wrinkle, or any blemish whatsoever. The merchant sold everything He had to buy this pearl. He sought it out, and considered it beautiful; to him, it was worth every penny. Adrian Rogers says, “God doesn’t love us because we’re valuable; we’re valuable because He loves us.” Jesus Christ stepped out of glory and into time to pay the price for us. He suffered and died, purchasing us with His own blood. He knew the cost—at every turn of His life, He was reminded of the suffering He would face—yet He paid it anyway. God loves us and greatly desires us. We are sinners, and on our own, we are helpless to save ourselves. But Jesus Christ is the answer. He covered us with His own grace and made us something beautiful. Apply it to your life Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who paid a great price to have you and keep you? Thank Him for His sacrifice and praise Him for the salvation He’s freely given.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:44 Adrian Rogers says, “A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The Parable of the Hidden Treasure is a short, but often misinterpreted, teaching of Jesus. We often believe this is about a man finding the treasure of salvation and giving up everything to have it. But if we look closer at the strange mystery of the buried treasure, we’ll see this is not the correct way to read it. Jesus said in Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” First, the field is the world, meaning the treasure cannot be Jesus. We cannot buy the field or the treasure in the field because the Gospel is not for sale. Salvation is the free gift of God. Rather, the man represents Jesus, and the treasure hidden in the field is the nation Israel. Israel is a treasure sovereignly chosen by God. As Israel goes, so goes the world; the Bible is full of evidence that Israel is God’s treasured people. Israel is also a treasure sadly covered. When Jesus came into this world, Israel was lost unto her original plan and purpose. The kingdom God had promised to His people was languishing, as Israel suffered under the thumb of Rome. But Israel is also a treasure sovereignly claimed. When Jesus came, He uncovered Israel and claimed her as His own. As a shepherd seeks the lost sheep, Jesus came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (See Matthew 15:24.) Remember, the man in the parable, Jesus, not only revealed the treasure—He covered it back up again and went to redeem it. He’s the one who paid the price to buy the field. This tells us that Jesus is coming back to reclaim Israel in the Last Days. Israel is buried in the field—suffering unspeakable atrocities and persecution. Yet God will keep His word to Israel, His treasure. What does this mean for us? It means everything is on schedule—God has sovereignly kept His word to Israel, so we know He will keep His word to us. And the signs of the times are telling us that our Lord is about to uncover the treasure He bought. Apply it to your life Pray for Israel, God’s chosen nation, as we live in the Last Days.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:33 The Parable of the Unleavened Bread is one of Jesus’ most misunderstood parables; if we read it incorrectly, we may find ourselves discouraged by it. This parable does not teach that the Gospel will permeate the whole world; in fact, Christians are considered a faithful few. Adrian Rogers says, “The Gospel was never given to save civilization from wreckage, the Gospel is given to save Man from the wreckage of civilization.” Rather, this parable warns us about the devil’s deception in the Last Days, and what we can do to protect the true Bride of Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 13:33, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” The mention of three measures of meal takes us back to the Old Testament, in the days of Abraham and Sarah (see Genesis 18:6) and Gideon (see Judges 6:19). This custom of baking bread for guests is something that satisfies the heart and mind of God because it speaks of communion and fellowship. We, the Church, are the bread—mingled together, being brought through the fire as one loaf. Leaven works quietly, undetected—yet it causes fermentation and corruption. In the Bible, unleavened bread stands for sincerity and truth, while leavened bread speaks of malice and wickedness. Jesus compares the legalism of the Pharisees and the liberalism of the Sadducees to leaven. He also compares Herod’s love of pleasure to leaven because he valued pleasure over God. (See Mark 8:15.) We must be sure to purge the leaven out of the Church because a little bit of it leavens the whole lump. The sneaky housewife in this passage represents devilish, deliberate, deception. If the Church is the Bride of Christ, this woman represents the bride of the devil, which is the false church. She represents Satan’s work in the Last Days, infiltrating the Church with legalism, liberalism, and love of self. Understanding the parable this way, we can combat false expectations and discouragement. God, who teaches us these things, has built the true Church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Apply it to your life Are you aware of the leaven of legalism, liberalism, and love of self? Purge your own life of these things. Praise God for the true Church, and the fact that He will protect her in these last days.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13 In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches us secrets of the kingdom of God through seven parables. In these prophetic stories, the Lord Jesus is beginning something new. Yet the enemy has many ways to sabotage His good work. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32), Jesus is the one planting seeds of faith for a godly crop. The Godly Crop The mustard seed is small, emphasizing the faithful few of the kingdom of God. It is simple, bypassing grandiosity and fanfare, and boils down to Jesus’ love for us. Yet it is also strong; faith like a grain of mustard seed can move mountains (see Matthew 17:20). The secret of a seed is that it has the germ of life within it; it can reproduce itself over and over again. The seed begins to grow and becomes a shrub, which represents the growth of the Gospel in the lives of believers. It is not huge like a mighty oak, yet it bears whatever flowers, fruit, or seeds are within it. It doesn’t speak of prominence; rather, lowliness. Another Crop But we also see in this parable a strange shade—defying nature, the shrub develops into a tree. The spiritual meaning of this abnormality is rooted in Daniel 4. In a prophecy, Daniel typifies false religion as a monstrous tree—the final form of apostasy in the final days. The rise of false cults that deny the Bible are likened to this tree. The same devilish birds that come and steal the seed in the Parable of the Sower, come and lodge in the branches of apostasy. Adrian Rogers says, “Satan is not against religion; he uses religion to accomplish his purpose.” The birds in the branches of apostasy are not easily spotted, because the devil is a master of deception and camouflage. We can identify these birds by their messages, using five tests. As you evaluate the messages you hear, use these five tests: 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? Apply it to your life Are you on the lookout to identify the dirty birds who rest on the branches of false religion? Remember these five tests, and be careful regarding who you listen to.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:24-30, 37-40 Not everybody who claims to be a Christian is a genuine Christian. Hypocrisy is a confusing and bewildering thing. Through the parable of the wheat and tares, Jesus shows us how He deals with counterfeits. Matthew 13:24-30 is a word of comfort, warning, and instruction for those caught in the strange mystery of the counterfeit Christian. “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared’” (Matthew 13:24-26). First, we see the sowing of the tares. The tares in the parable came from the chief counterfeiter himself, Satan. The devil wants worship and false believers. He has convinced hypocrites to follow a false Jesus and false spirit. (See 2 Corinthians 11:4.) He has false ministers to produce false brothers and proclaim a false gospel. (See 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.) We shouldn’t let hypocrites keep us from seeking true fellowship with God and with each other; counterfeits copy what is worthwhile. Adrian Rogers says, “Every false Christian that you see is a testimony to the good, the worth, and the reality of the real.” God is well aware of counterfeits; they may pass through the world with ease, but God cannot be fooled. Second, we see the growing of the tares. No matter how tempting it may be, we cannot uproot false religion; it’ll do more harm than good. God is the judge, not us. Every church must exercise discipline—not meant to root out and remove but rather to reclaim and restore. Finally, we see the knowing of the tares. The wheat and the tares will be discerned at the harvest. God tolerates the tares for the sake of the wheat; He waits until they are all ripe before He sends the reapers. He does not judge now, because it is too early. Our influence, whether for good or for evil, goes on and on after we die. God collects the evidence of our influence. Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers urges us to: 1. Make certain of your salvation. 2. If you are not saved, don’t let a counterfeit Christian keep you out of heaven. 3. If you are a counterfeit Christian, repent and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 13:1 The Bible is a love story in many ways, but it is also a great mystery. There are hidden truths in the Bible that cannot be known by human wisdom. Jesus was the master teacher. He taught in parables—earthly stories with heavenly meanings—which are meant to both reveal and conceal. The meek, the teachable and guidable, could understand, while the scholars could not. Matthew 13:3-9 explains the parable of the sower. There are three basic components of this story: the seed, the sower, and the soil. The seed is the quick and powerful Word of God, pulsating with life and energy. The sower is Jesus—the Son of Man who sows the Word in people’s hearts. The main emphasis of the parable is on the soil, which represents the hearts of men and women. Some receive the seed, while others don’t. Yet, the Gospel does not fail; there is nothing wrong with the seed—the problem is always the soil. First, there is the soil with no reception. “And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them” (Matthew 13:4). The “wayside” is often described as stone, meaning this heart is too hardened to receive the seed, and therefore, will not understand it. There’s also the soil that receives the seed, but it does not take root. Matthew 13:5-6 describes a seed that sprouts too early in the shallow dirt and withers in the sun. This represents those who live in the realm of emotion—who are moved by spiritual things but are not truly changed. They are likely to abandon their faith the moment they face a trial. Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is the deepest work of God; God doesn’t do the deepest work in the shallowest part.” There’s also the seed scattered among thorns that has no room to sprout. (See Matthew 3:7.) This represents those who want to add Jesus Christ onto their lives but aren’t willing to have their lives changed. They leave their rival crop undisturbed, giving Jesus no room. But thank God there is a fourth kind of soil: the one with no refusal—a heart wide open for the Word to take root. Apply it to your life Has God’s Word taken root in you? Are you scattering His Word among the soil? Don’t stop to test the soil—just scatter the seed.

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Ephesians 1:15-23 God created man and woman to have dominion and rule over this Earth. Once we understand this, we can claim what was lost by Adam and restored by Jesus, the conquering Christ, the Second Adam. According to Genesis 1:26, God gave dominion on Earth to Adam. But Satan, a fallen angel who became the father of the night, lost the battle in Heaven and hopes to win the battle on Earth. He came to the Garden of Eden as a serpent and tempted Adam and Eve to sin; therefore, they turned dominion over to him and became his slaves. God was dethroned in their hearts, and Satan began to reign. But this dominion, legally lost by Adam, was righteously regained by Jesus Christ. Dominion was lost by a man, and it was legally restored by a man: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22) Satan tried to tempt Jesus to sin as he had tempted Adam (see Luke 4), but Jesus defeated Him by the Word of God. Adrian Rogers says, “The first Adam lost it all in a garden; the last Adam won it all back in the wilderness.” The second battle began at Calvary. When Jesus died and was buried, the devil believed he had won. But three days later, Jesus walked out of the grave and brought back dominion that had been lost. Finally, this dominion has been gloriously given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He raised us up as well. The devil wants to keep us in the dark, so that we never see the incredible power we’ve been given. But when we finally recognize it, all of heaven will break loose. Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers says, “The same weapons that belonged to Adam in the Garden of Eden were the weapons that Jesus Christ used in the wilderness.” Spend some time in Scripture, dwell on the Word of God, exercising your dominion, rightfully restored by Jesus Christ.