Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 2:1 In the Bible, there is no greater crime than being a false prophet. It’s bad to tell a lie and it’s worse to teach a lie; but it is evil to teach a lie about God. Adrian Rogers says, “Don’t let false teachers take you by surprise; when you look for the devil, never fail to look in the pulpit.” We must learn how to spot a counterfeit teacher. 2 Peter 2:1 says, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” Scripture tells us that false teachers are among us and warns us of the dangers of their doctrine. We can identify counterfeits by their message. There are five tests we should run in our minds as we listen to a preacher: -Source Test: What is the basis of his teaching? -Savior Test: Does he believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah? -Subject Test: Is the primary source of his teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ? -Salvation Test: Does he teach salvation by grace or does he try to mix works or baptism or anything else into salvation? -Sanctification Test: Does he teach, and endeavor to live, a holy life? We can also identify false teachers by their methods. 2 Peter 2:2-3 says, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” Good counterfeiters will lay false teaching alongside good teaching in order to confuse their listeners. Their words are feigned, like plastic; they are malleable and easy to contort. You can also spot a counterfeiter by his motive, which is to manipulate his people for his own profit or gain. The desperate need in these last days is authentic biblical teaching; God will not spare the false prophet. Apply it to your life Remember this advice from Adrian Rogers: “The world is full of counterfeits; make sure you have the real thing. There are some counterfeit Christians, but don’t you let that keep you away from Jesus. Jesus is real, salvation is real and you can be real if you’ll repent of your sin and trust Him.”

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Luke 14:25-35 It costs to serve Jesus Christ; we must be prepared to pay the price. Many will try to water down the Gospel in an attempt to gain more followers, but Jesus is not looking for easy followers; He wants fully committed disciples. Jesus wants disciples who will worship at any cost. Luke 14:27 says, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Jesus must come before personal relationships and reputations. His disciples must prioritize Him over their families and loved ones, and even before themselves. He must come before personal realization. The decision to follow Jesus was the last independent decision any Christian ever made; our lives now belong to Jesus. Second, Jesus wants disciples who will work at any cost. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it…” (Luke 14:28). Jesus calls us to build our lives according to His blueprints, spiritually conceived through prayer. We cannot look for a cheap, easy, lazy way to build our lives for Christ. We must count the cost, and steadfastly work to completion. Third, fully committed disciples will war at any cost. Adrian Rogers says, “When I follow the Lord Jesus Christ, I follow Him into battle.” There is no such thing as neutrality in this spiritual warfare. Though we are outnumbered, we cannot be cowards or compromisers. Nor can we be cautious; we must go into the battle with all of our hearts and souls. Finally, Jesus wants disciples who will witness at any cost. “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 14:34-35)! Salt preserves, flavors, and heals; likewise, we are called to preserve truth and to have a zest about our lives that heals this sick world. But salt also burns and penetrates; it is an irritant that permeates everything it touches. We cannot fear our nature to irritate this corrupt world and permeate Jesus Christ into everything we touch. Apply it to your life Are you a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to pay the cost of worship, work, war, and witness?

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.