Christ Covenant Church

In Mark 8:33-38, Jesus gives us an ultimatum: die to self (i.e. being controlled by/listening to our feelings) or we cannot “come after [Him]” for salvation[1]. This ultimatum is based on both loyalty (we can’t serve two masters) and ability: self – or again our feelings, are severely compromised by sin and easily manipulated by Satan and the world. To be controlled by them will therefore result i...

These verses are some of the most important in all of Scripture. That because they make clear that our greatest enemy is not Satan and the world, or God and His laws. It is instead ourselves (or self). Learning then what that means, why it is so dangerous and how to conquer it, should be of first importance. WHAT THESE VERSES (31-34) TEACH US ABOUT SELF = Living for self (or “setting your mind on...

Slander (Def. = false accusations that damage another’s reputation): 1) can cause its victim to lose hope for living (if he “dwells” on it) (17:1-2, 11-16), 2) can retard/inhibit justice (17:3-4), 3) will bring a curse on the children of those who do it (17:5), 4) can make other people despise us (17:6), 5) can severely affect the physical health of its victims (17:7), 6) will incite the “upright”...

These verses are some of the most important in all of Scripture. That because they make clear that our greatest enemy is not Satan and the world, or God and His laws. It is instead ourselves (or self). Learning then what that means, why it is so dangerous and how to conquer it, should be of first importance. WHAT THESE VERSES (31-34) TEACH US ABOUT SELF: 1.1. “Setting your mind on (i.e. being comm...

How can we be certain that what we believe as Christians is correct? How can we know that we have interpreted the Scriptures in a way that will lead to salvation? What assurance do we have that we possess the truth? The answer according to the author of Hebrews is consistency. That the ministry of Jesus we subscribe to (or practice) today, is consistent (or the “same”) with what Jesus established...

How can we be certain that what we believe as Christians is correct? How can we know that we have interpreted the Scriptures in a way that will lead to salvation? What assurance do we have that we possess the truth? The answer according to the author of Hebrews is consistency. That the ministry of Jesus we subscribe to (or practice) today, is consistent (or the “same”) with what Jesus established...

How can we be certain that what we believe as Christians is correct? How can we know that we have interpreted the Scriptures in a way that will lead to salvation? What assurance do we have that we possess the truth? The answer according to the author of Hebrews is consistency. That the ministry of Jesus we subscribe to (or practice) today, is consistent (or the “same”) with what Jesus established...

How can we be certain that what we believe as Christians is correct? How can we know that we have interpreted the Scriptures in a way that will lead to salvation? What assurance do we have that we possess the truth? The answer according to the author of Hebrews is consistency. That the ministry of Jesus we subscribe to (or practice) today, is consistent (or the “same”) with what Jesus established...

How can we be certain that what we believe as Christians is correct? How can we know that we have interpreted the Scriptures in a way that will lead to salvation? What assurance do we have that we possess the truth? The answer according to the author of Hebrews is consistency. That the ministry of Jesus we subscribe to (or practice) today, is consistent (or the “same”) with what Jesus established...

If we want to “speak” as God’s “physicians” or counselors to others then we need: 1) to understand more of God’s truth than them (13:1-3), 2) a right application of God’s truth and a right diagnosis of the person we are dealing w/ (13:4), 3) to realize the wisdom of silence (or saying nothing when we are not sure what to say) (13:5), 4) to avoid speaking false or deceitful words (13:6-7), 5) to ne...

(Added to Job 1-4): 1. Righteous parents are daily doing those things that prove their children’s spiritual state is a priority (1:5). Job 5-8 Those who choose to be foolish (“stupid” as in refusing to be teachable or gain understanding; Jer 4:22) and simple (naïve or lacking sense as to how things really work; Hos 7:11) (5:2): 1) are to find no support or sympathy among those seeking to live holy...

Imagine someone calling you a “Pharisee”. You would likely be offended by this association. It is understandable, but do you know why? Popular culture – especially Christian culture, has made “Pharisee” a derogatory term. Most people, however – including Christians, don’t know very much about the Pharisees. And what they claim to know, is frequently wrong. The Pharisees deserve their derogatory st...

Even the best among the righteous and blessed by God (1:1-5) can experience: 1) persecution (or testing) at the hands of Satan (1:6-19, 2:1-8; Luk 22:31-32; 1Pe 5:8-10; Rev 2:10), 2) condemnation at the hands of stupid men (2:11 w/4:1-5:27, 8:1-22, 11:1-20, 15:1-35, 22:1-30 w/42:7-9). Assumptions can cause you to: 1) condemn the wrong person/hurt the ones who are truly righteous (4:1-21, 5:1-27, 8...

Imagine someone calling you a “Pharisee”. You would likely be offended by this association. It is understandable, but do you know why? Popular culture – especially Christian culture, has made “Pharisee” a derogatory term. Most people, however – including Christians, don’t know very much about the Pharisees. And what they claim to know, is frequently wrong. The Pharisees deserve their derogatory st...

1 Peter 5 Those functioning as anointed/teaching elders in the church possess authority that must be listened to by those under their care – including the ruling/subordinate elders (5:1; “fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ [an apostle]” = Peter’s apostleship meant that he was an anointed/teaching elder; See also 5:5a – “Likewise [in light of the point previously established regar...

Imagine someone calling you a “Pharisee”. You would likely be offended by this association. It is understandable, but do you know why? Popular culture – especially Christian culture, has made “Pharisee” a derogatory term. Most people, however – including Christians, don’t know very much about the Pharisees. And what they claim to know, is frequently wrong. The Pharisees deserve their derogatory st...

Because of man’s free-will, God knew before He created there was a chance mankind could rebel and so (“according to His foreknowledge”) put in place a plan to graciously give those who were repentant and seeking Him: 1) a new identity – i.e. to choose (“elect”) them to become “exiles” on earth and have heaven as their new home (exile [def.] a person who has is no longer welcomed in their place of...

Imagine someone calling you a Pharisee. You would likely be offended by this association. It is understandable, but do you know why? Popular culture – especially Christian culture, has made Pharisee a derogatory term. Most people, however – including Christians, don’t know very much about the Pharisees. And what they claim to know, is frequently wrong. The Pharisees deserve their derogatory status...

Two of the most debated questions in the history of the Church have been, “What does God’s sovereignty over us and the future look like?” and, “How does that control affect His promises and prophecies?” This series has exposed the error of the two most popular theories in the Church today (the Evangelical views of Theistic Determinism and Open Theism) and will now present the correct view. This vi...

Right interpretation requires recognizing ellipsis (“shorthand” understood by prior context) (18:1a and 19:1a w/17:6 and 21:25). Other ways people prove they do not have God as their king (besides 17:6-13 = starting your own church) is they: 1) refuse to do the hard work necessary to be successful (18:1b w/1:34-35), 2) look to leach off of or benefit from what belongs to others (18:2 w/7 w/1Ch 5:2...

Two of the most debated questions in the history of the Church have been, “What does God’s sovereignty over us and the future look like?” and, “How does that control affect His promises and prophecies?” This series has exposed the error of the two most popular theories in the Church today (the Evangelical views of Theistic Determinism and Open Theism) and will now present the correct view. This vi...

One would be hard pressed to find in the history of the Church – or the pages of Scripture, any notion that God – as the rightful Creator and Owner of all that exists, does not exercise sovereignty (rule/governance/control) over His Creation as the means to seeing that His plans, promises and prophecies are accomplished. How exactly God does that – or what level of success He is able to achieve in...

Future blessings are not determined by long periods of peace and prosperity in the past – or a stockpile of potential leaders in the present, but whether we will continue to be obedient to God (10:1-7, 12:7-13:1). Not being severe in our treatment of those who blaspheme God will mean severe treatment from God (i.e. God takes separation from blasphemers seriously) (10:6-7 w/ Eze 20:27-28; blaspheme...

Being God’s people guarantees that we wb punished if we live in disobedience to His commands (6:1; Heb 12:5-6; 1Pe 4:12-18; Pro 11:31; Lam 3:39; Deu 28:15-68). Living in a cave, never being able to get ahead in life or possess enough sustenance, always being taken advantage of by others, having all your effort come to waste, becoming very discouraged or depressed; these are some of the things God...

One would be hard pressed to find in the history of the Church – or the pages of Scripture, any notion that God – as the rightful Creator and Owner of all that exists, does not exercise sovereignty (rule/governance/control) over His Creation as the means to seeing that His plans, promises and prophecies are accomplished. How exactly God does that – or what level of success He is able to achieve in...