Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Luke 15:11-32

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son reconciling with his loving father. However, as the passage continues, we meet his ungrateful brother. Through this epilogue, Jesus reveals that the love of God that melts one sinner’s heart can harden another sinner’s heart.

Our love, service, and joy can help us determine our relationship with the Father: are we more like the prodigal son or the ungrateful brother?

We measure our love for the Father by our relationship with our brother.

1...

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Scripture Passage: Proverbs 29:1

In front of every unsaved person, there is a deadline. When crossed, you will be broken beyond repair.

Proverbs 29:1 reads: “He, that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” There are four thoughts to draw from this passage, so that we may never know the hopelessness of being broken beyond repair.

God deals with sinners over and over again, convicting us in loving patience. He speaks to us through the Holy...

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Scripture Passage: Nehemiah 4:1-6:16

The Book of Nehemiah tells the story of the rebuilding of the fallen walls of Jerusalem. And at the end of the sixth chapter, the walls were completed. Despite the devil’s attempts to stop them, the people of God prevailed, and built as God instructed them. Nehemiah 7 begins: the job was completed. The people of God were secure, organized, housed, and fed.

But there was something that needed to be done inside these freshly restored city walls: building their community on...

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Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 17:3-11

The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 teaches us how to deal with the problems in our lives. Some of us live in quiet desperation, intimidated by our “giants.” But God’s plan for His children is to live like kings and queens in victory.

In this passage, Goliath of Gath represents the vicious enemy behind our problems: the devil. Everything, from his measure, might, manner, and motive, mimic Satan’s testing, trying, sifting, and fighting the people of God.

The encounter in this passage was a vi...

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Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15

The human condition is marked by a single, inherent problem of sin. Oftentimes, we try to explain away or excuse sin, but until we learn to deal with it, we will never know forgiveness. The Gospel Truth only becomes good news when we recognize the bad news, which is our own sin. In this message, we learn there are three things to know about the good news of the Gospel.

The Source

The reason for the Gospel is sin. We...

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Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 22:1-14

1 Kings 22 tells the story of a prophet with an unchanging message to a changing world. After receiving counsel from 400 pandering prophets, King Ahab and Jehoshaphat hear from Micaiah, a true prophet of God. And rather than saying what they wanted to hear, Micaiah proclaims, “...As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak” (v. 14).

There are five things we can learn from Micaiah’s bold response.

1. It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error.
Devote...

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Scripture Passage: Ephesians 5:14

If we’re not careful, we may spend the prime time of our lives chasing the wrong goals. This is why we have to learn how to use and maximize our time for God’s glory. Ephesians 5:14-16 says, “Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

We must begin to see time as...

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Scripture Passage: Romans 1:16-22

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Therefore, we know God is righteous, and there is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus. Romans 1:16-22 offers four factors to help us better understand this truth.

The Revelation Factor: all men have some light.

God created us to serve and know Him. There are...

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Scripture Passage: Isaiah 50:10-11

Sometimes, darkness falls upon even the most devout Christians. What can we do when the lights go out? What is the discipline of darkness? Isaiah 50:10 says, “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.”

First, those of greatest devotion may know the deepest darkness. There is a distorted idea that the Christian life is all joy and light. But Isaiah 50 speaks to t...

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Scripture Passage: 1 John 1:3-10

As Christians, we can slip and fall into sin just like anyone else. What happens to our fellowship with God when we sin?

1 John 1:5-7 says: "This is the message which we have heard from Him, and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship...

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Scripture Passage: Isaiah 59:1-4

Isaiah 59:1-2 says, “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor is His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

Our beloved America is a nation in a crisis. The prophet, Isaiah, boldly pointed out the sins of his day; upon a closer look, we can see distinct parallels to the sins of our day.

-Bloody hands: “For your han...

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Scripture Passage: Exodus 13:17-18

Exodus 13:18 says, “But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.” As God leads us through life, we may find ourselves on back roads, dead-end alleys, or in dry places. What should we do when we face detours, dead ends, and dry holes?

First, remember the discipline of detours. This passage clarifies God led His people on a divine detour. Further hardship would have met the Israelites if t...

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Scripture Passage: John 6:66-69

If you were given the chance to speak to someone who has never known the love of God, what would you say? If you knew it would be the first, and perhaps the only time he would ever hear a message from God, what would you tell him?

Tell him why you believe in Jesus Christ.

John 6:66-69 says, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Hi...

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Scripture Passage: Matthew 18:21

One of God’s greatest gifts to us is forgiveness; He forgives us of our own sins, and He empowers us to forgive others who sin against us.

Forgiveness is costly; the forgiveness of our sins cost the precious blood of Jesus. And sometimes, it costs something of us to forgive others. Yet, Scripture provides endless reasons to forgive, no matter the cost.

First, we must forgive one another because God has so willingly forgiven us.

...

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Scripture Passage: Galatians 6:1-3

Whether we are saved or lost, we will all carry burdens at points in our lives; but we do not have to bear them alone. Galatians 6 shows us what to do with our burdens.

First, this passage addresses the burdens we take up, the ones we share.

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Be...

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Scripture Passage: Leviticus 2:11

Leviticus 2:11 says, “No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire.”

Leaven in the Bible represents evil, sin, and corruption. Leaven ferments; it works quietly and stealthily in lukewarm conditions.

Jesus warned us about three kinds of spiritual leaven in Matthew 16:

-Leaven of the Pharisees, which is legalism

-Lea...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 12:1-2

Living the Christian life is much like running in a race, and Hebrews 12 shows us how to run like a champion.

First, we must remember there is a purpose to pursue.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1). We are in this race until our very last breath. There is no retiring or quitting from this race against ourselves.

There is a person to prepare.
“...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily e...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:30-34

In this life, we will experience situations in which we’ve tried to trust in God and our faith seems to fail. What do we do when we face trials, tribulations, or heartaches, and faith doesn’t seem to remove them?

Hebrews 11 gives us insight for those who struggle to endure when times get tough.

First, this passage reminds us that mature faith believes in the supernatural power of God.

“...who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quench...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:32-34

Hebrews 11:32-34 lists several champions of faith, who exemplify tremendous character all throughout Scripture. One figure mentioned is Barak, a military leader, whose faith in God helped deliver Israel from a 20-year oppression of Canaan.

Judges 5:20 explains, “They fought from the heavens; the stars from their courses fought against Sisera.”

These passages reveal four reasons why the heavenlies sided with Barak and fought to bring him the victory.

First, we identify the...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:32-34

The champions of faith listed in Hebrews 11 give us an idea of the kind of people God uses to accomplish His mighty plans.

Hebrews 11:32-34 says, “...For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon… who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle...”

This passage reminds us of Gideon’s story in Judges 6-7 and shows five characteristics of peopl...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:31

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First, we should not...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:28

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

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

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

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:23-27

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

Hebrews 11 tells the prophet Moses’ divine origin story, which would not have existed if not for his parents, Amram and Jochebed.

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and...

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

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

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

Joseph had faith that God would deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, so much faith that he asked that the Israelites take his bones with them. When we understand the blessing in his box of bone...

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Scripture Passage: Acts 12:1-11

The Book of Acts shares numerous accounts of triumph over difficulty, as the first Christians experienced victory through prayer.

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

As we fight our battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is fundamental that we learn how...

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Scripture Passage: 1 John 4:17

As Christians, we find our identification in Jesus Christ. He became as we are that we might become as He is.

1 John 4:17 says, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

Our identification with Christ is a powerful truth; we are spiritually united with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. As a result, we are also united with Jesus in His victory.

Adrian Rogers says...

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Scripture Passage: Psalm 22:1-31

The Old Testament and the New Testament tell the same story of Jesus Christ. The entire Bible expresses the fulfilled prophecy and united message that Jesus saves.

Psalm 22 greatly details the crucifixion of Jesus Christ a thousand years before He was born.

This Old Testament Calvary passage first shares the prophecy of the cross.
“O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent” (Psalm 22:2). This verse mimics some of Jesus’ final moments on the...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 32

Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”

Many of us think self-sufficiency is a virtue, but truthfully, it is a vice. After deceiving his father to obtain his brother Esau’s birthright, Jacob was on the run for his life. God used this moment to cause Jacob to cease depending upon his own schemes. Jacob’s story reveals three principles to remember as we learn to lean on God.

First...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:20

Family was first established by God in the Garden of Eden. Knowing family is a gift of God, the enemy has waged a war against the home. Hebrews 11 reveals lessons from a dysfunctional family, and offers hope for those who face unrest in the home.

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come” (Hebrews 11:20).

This passage looks back to the story of twin brothers Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25. They were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah, and together, they were a family plagued by f...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 22:1-14

Hebrews 11 recalls the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22 when God called a father to offer up his son as a sacrifice. This story was a dress rehearsal for Calvary, in which God the Father would send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God wa...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:8-13

Hebrews 11:8 reminds us of the legacy of Abraham, who was called by God in his old age and became a champion of the faith. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance...”

Abraham's example gives us six principles to fortify our faith.

1. The Voice Principle: Abraham heard from the Lord.
The Lord appeared to Abraham through a supernatural experience. We have a greater advantage, having the written Word of God, the mind of J...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:7

The Bible emphasizes the importance of household salvation. One of the greatest examples of this is Noah, whose unsinkable faith in God saved his family from the Great Flood.

Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

This passage first describes the warning Noah’s faith believed.
In the days of Noah...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:5-6

Hebrews 11 tells of the prophet Enoch, who so pleased God and walked so intimately with him, he never died. Enoch is an example for us as we learn to walk with God.

Hebrews 11:5 says, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Enoch is a champion of our faith who shows us that walking with God is a life of faith...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:4

Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus’ redeeming work was in the heart and mind of God from the foundation of the world. Before He swung this world into space, God had redemption by blood in His mind.”

Genesis 4 tells the story of two brothers: Cain and Abel, one a martyr, the other a murderer. In their story, we see a picture of the blood of Jesus Christ that makes a difference.

Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness...

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Scripture Passage: Hebrews 10:38

The Book of Hebrews describes the heroes of our faith and explains how those heroes exemplified the only way to live.

Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

Many of us are plagued with worry, guilt, or loneliness; but there is not one problem that faith does not have an answer for. This is why it is crucial that we know what faith is, and how to have it.

Faith is not...

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Scripture Passage: John 16:7

There are things we will never understand until we lay down our intellectual pride and let the Holy Spirit speak to us. Only when the Spirit speaks can we understand three truths regarding who we are and what God makes us.

John 16:7 says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

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Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:1-14

The way to be blessed is to obey God, which requires our trust in Him; and to trust Him is to love Him, and in order to love Him, we must know Him.

1 Corinthians 2:1-14 shows us how to know God through the Bible.

“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of...

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Scripture Passage: Psalm 119:18, 27
Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible is a wonderful book. I’m not finding hidden flaws; I’m finding hidden beauties.”

The more we read the Word of God, the more it will reveal itself to be true. Psalm 119 reveals the seven wonders of the Word of God.

First, the Bible is a supernatural book, divinely inspired by God; it is often called the very breath of God. Within the Scriptures, we see the prayers, praises, fears, and frustrations of the men who wrote them. The Bible is marked by their p...

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Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2:1-2

We don’t have to be ordained ministers to be in the ministry; in fact, every man and woman who names the name of Jesus partakes in the ministry of the Word of God.

1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart…”

First, we must receive the Word of God personally into our lives.