New Covenant OPC Sermon Podcast

In Hebrews 8:1-13 the author speaks of the glory of Christ as our high priest. Having shown that he is the glorious priest after the order of Melchizedek, the author now moves to show how he serves as priest. Whereas the levitical priests served on earth, Christ, as the superior priest, serves in heaven, making a way for the true approach to God.

In Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 Christ gives the parable of the sower or the parable of the soils.  This is the first of the famous kingdom parables from Matthew 13 given in response to the unbelief recorded in chapters 11-12.  Here Christ explains that there will be many who do not respond well to the gospel.  Some will be deceived by Satan. Some will fall away after persecution.  So...

In Hebrews 7:20-28 the author explains how Christ serves after the order of Melchizedek showing that Christ serves according to the oath of God (vv. 20-22, cf. Ps. 110:4), that he is not limited by death from continuing in office (23-25), and that thus he is not appointed according to weakness but, having made a sacrifice for sins once and for all, he is the true priest after the order of Melchize...

In Matthew 12:46-50 Christ’s family comes to see him, however, they come doubting. When told that his family wants to see him, Christ explains that his true family are those who do the will of his Father in heaven are his true family. This is the blessing of the gospel: that though there be many who turn away, those who come to Christ are adopted into the family of God with Christ himself as their...

Pastor Grasso explains the relationship between adoption, justification, sanctification, and regeneration, showing that adoption is God’s declaration of sonship.  Then, Pastor Grasso explains some of the privileges that belong to all of those who are sons by adoption.

In Hebrews 7:11-19 the author shows how Christ is better than the Levites as the priest after the order of Melchizedek. The author shows that the promise of a new priest after the order of Melchizedek shows that the first priesthood had weaknesses. He then shows that Christ is the priest after the order of Melchizedek as the one who serves forever according to the power of indestructible life, thu...

In Matthew 12:43-45 Christ describes a person who has a demon leave him. The demon leaves the person and goes through the wilderness before returning to the man where he finds everything cleaned but empty. He then takes seven demons worse than himself and inhabits the man again. Such is the state of the man who reforms his life without the power of Christ. Eventually he finds himself in a worse po...

NCOPC Guest Sermon

NCOPC Guest Sermon

Pastor Grasso addresses the similarities and differences between justification and sanctification and shows the danger of collapsing the two.

NCOPC Guest Sermon

NCOPC Guest Sermon

NCOPC Guest Sermon

NCOPC Guest Sermon

In part 4 pastor Grasso shows the two parts to the nature of sanctification: mortification and vivification in both definitive and progressive sanctification.

In Hebrews 7:1-10 the author returns to the subject begun in 5:1-10 comparing Christ’s priesthood to that of the Levites.  Here the author shows that Melchizedek himself was far greater than Levi, which means that the priest after the order of Melchizedek, of which Melchizedek was merely a type, must be far greater than any Levitical priest.  This greater priest is Christ, a priest forev...

In Matthew 12:38-42 the Pharisees and scribes continue to challenge Christ.  This time they challenge Him by requesting a sign from Him.  This request comes after Christ has already given innumerable signs to prove who He is.  Rather than perform a sign on demand, which He refuses to do, Christ says the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah, His resurrection from the dea...

Pastor Grasso explains the importance of young earth creationism by showing the relationship between this issue and the thinking that became popular with the Enlightenment.

In Hebrews 6:13-20 the author shows why God’s people can rest in the promises of God.  God has not only given a promise that cannot be broken in that God cannot lie, but He has also confirmed that promise with an oath.  If one only had a promise from God that would be enough to be sure that it will come to pass, however, God, in His grace, gives the promise and then confirms it with an o...

In Matthew 12:33-37 Jesus concludes his response to the Pharisees and their accusation against him that he casts out demons by Beelzebub.  Christ says that the words a person speaks reveals the contents of their heart.  Thus, this blasphemy from the Pharisees reveals the blasphemous character of their hearts.  Not only this, but Christ declares that on the last day the true nature o...

In part 3 pastor Grasso explains the difference between definitive and progressive sanctification, showing that definitive sanctification happens at conversion and progressive sanctification is something that increases over time.

After giving a stern warning to God’s people in 6:1-8 the author now gives them encouragement in 6:9-12.  Though he has spoken hard words to them, he believes that they have obtained salvation.  What gives the author this assurance?  Love for God expressed in love for the saints.   He then exhorts them to pursue real assurance themselves showing that assurance of salvation is b...

In Matthew 12:30-32 Christ explains that there is a sin which God never forgives: blasphemy against the Spirit, a sin which some of the Pharisees had just committed. This is a sin that can be committed in this life.  It is a great warning against the dangers of apostasy as this sin is the worst form of apostasy.  Do not be hardened, but believe.

In Hebrews 6:1-8 the author speaks of a situation where repentance is not possible. This has historically been one of the most difficult passages in the church and misinterpretation has caused great problems. Pastor Grasso shows that the sin to which the author refers is different than simple unbelief, that it can be committed today, and that the text does not contradict Reformed theology. Ultimat...

In Matthew 12:22-29 the Pharisees accuse Christ of casting out demons by the prince of demons.  They see what is obviously a good work which could only be done by the power of God (cf. John 3:2) and yet choose to say that this was done by Satan.  Christ, however, shows that what he has done was done by the power of the Holy Spirit, and therefore the Kingdom of God has come.  The Kin...