New Covenant OPC Sermon Podcast

In Hebrews 10:11-18 the author brings the longest theological section of the book to a close.  Summing up his previous arguments he notes that the priests stand each day offering the same sacrifices that cannot take away sins, whereas Christ has once and for all been seated at the right hand of the Father, having definitively completed His work.  All of this forms the basis for the exhor...

In Proverbs 1:8-19 Solomon begins his instructions to his son.  Throughout the book of Proverbs there is an emphasis on instruction within the family, particularly parents to children.  As was the case in Solomon’s day, there is a great temptation to listen to a peer group rather than to parents.  Godliness in the home entails careful instruction of children concerning temptations t...

Pastor Grasso explains the relationship between the incarnation and the atonement building on Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo.  He shows that the incarnation is necessitated by the atonement.  Without God dying on the cross, man cannot be saved.

In Hebrews 10:1-10 the author contrasts the efficacy of the blood of bulls and goats to that of Christ.  The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, but Christ, as the Son of God who became man, is able to cleanse all those who come to Him from their sins.  Pastor Grasso highlights in this way the significance of the incarnation for atonement.

Pastor Grasso begins a series on Proverbs where he explains the significance of wisdom.  Wisdom is related to knowledge but goes beyond it.  It is related to righteous living.  It is related to leadership in the family, church, and society.  It is related to foresight in building.  Wisdom is more valuable than gold, but how does one find it?  The answer: the fear of t...

In Matthew 13:51-52 Christ gives a mini-parable about scribes in the kingdom.  They are those who understand Christ’s words and are able to bring out treasures new and old.  The new treasures refer to what Christ has taught.  The old treasures refer to what had already been taught, namely, the teachings found in the Old Testament.  Many Christians do not see the value of the Ol...

In Hebrews 9:23-28 the author explains the cleansing power of Christ’s blood. Pastor Grasso explains the distinction between propitiation and expiation to understand these two elements of the atonement. Propitiation is the satisfaction of God’s wrath. Expiation is cleansing from sin. Christ’s blood, however, has a cosmic element to its cleansing. As Adam’s fall resulted in the world being subject...

Pastor Grasso explains the difference between objective and subjective theories of the atonement and shows that the Scriptures teach that Christ’s death provided a real, objective atonement.

Pastor Bob Herrmann preaches on the greatness of Jesus from Colossians 1:15-23.

Pastor Herrmann preaches on growing in the knowledge of God from Colossians 1:3-14.

In Hebrews 9:15-22 the author explains the significance of Christ being the mediator of the new covenant. As the mediator of the covenant He had to die to instituted the testamentary aspect of the covenant. Is the new covenant a testament? Yes, because it grants the right to an inheritance. The glory of the mediator is seen in that by His blood this inheritance is now in place for His people and b...

In Matthew 13:47-50 Christ gives the last parable of the kingdom in the chapter.  This parable is about the final judgment and leaves the disciples with a message of warning.  God will judge the world in righteousness. Heed the warning and turn to Christ.

Pastor Grasso explains that it is possible to be a real Christian and lose your assurance of salvation.  God will sometimes remove assurance from a true believer for his good.  If this is you, you ought to pursue assurance by making a diligent use of the means of grace.

In Hebrews 9:11 -14 the author to the Hebrews shows that Christ’s ministry in the better and more perfect tent, the tent not of this creation, made without hands has opened the way to God and cleanses the worshipper in order to give him a clear conscience before God.  What could not be done under the old covenant has been accomplished by Christ in the new.

In Matthew 13:44 -46, Christ gives the parables of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price.  Though many do not see the treasure and do not find the pearl, those who find them count them as the most valuable things in this world such that losing everything they have for the sake of it cannot take away their joy.  Such it is with all who have found the kingdom of God...

In Hebrews 9:1-10 the author explains the basics of the ministry of the priests in the tabernacle and shows that the tabernacle ministry points to the ministry of Christ while also indicating that the way to God has not yet been opened.  Shadow must give way to substance if the people of God are to approach Him. The levitical ministry also was unable to perfect the worshipper in regard to his...

In Matthew 13:31 -33 Christ gives the parables of the mustard seed and leaven.  In these parables Christ shows that the growth of the kingdom of God is certain even if it appears to be hidden at times.  The kingdom of God will start out small, but it will grow until it fills the entire world.  This ought to be a comfort to Christians who increasingly find themselves in a world of un...

Pastor Grasso explains the three grounds for assurance: the promises of God, the evidence of inward graces, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 13:24 -30 and 36-43 Christ gives the parable of the wheat and the weeds, showing that there will always be a mixture of the righteous and the wicked until the last day.  The great separation will happen at the judgment when Christ sends forth his angels to gather the wheat into the barn but to reserve the weeds for fire. Such is the warning for all Christians, not to presume salvat...

Jeremiah 31:31-34 is a very important text for understanding the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.  Pastor Grasso explains the similarities and differences between the two as given in Hebrews 8 and other parts of the New Testament, showing that the New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Old, that the way of salvation was fundamentally the same between the two, and th...

In Hebrews 8:2 the author speaks of Christ as the priest of the true tabernacle, pitched by God, not man.  The tabernacle and the temple were instituted by God but constructed by man.  The Old Testament speaks of a time when God himself would construct a house for his name and bring His people to dwell with Him there.  Christ is the priest of this new tabernacle, serving in heaven i...

In Matthew 13:10 -17, 34-35 Christ explains why he speaks to the people in parables.  The reason he speaks in parables is both to reveal and conceal truth about the kingdom of God.  This shows that the knowledge of the kingdom of God is sovereignly given by Christ.  He gives it to his disciples by grace and withholds it from others in justice according to the eternal decree.  G...

Pastor Grasso gives an overview of the various old earth theories and shows that they are incoherent theologically and scientifically.

Pastor Grasso explains what the assurance of salvation is, its relationship to Calvinism, the possibility of attaining it, and the duty of every Christian to seek it.

Pastor Grasso gives an overview of the various old earth theories and shows that they are incoherent theologically and scientifically.