New Covenant OPC Sermon Podcast

Issues regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage can be some of the most difficult things to face in life. What does the Bible say about all of these things? In Deuteronomy 24:1-5 Moses addresses laws specifically concerned with remarriage to a formerly divorced spouse. In this sermon Pastor Grasso begins with this text and then goes on to give an overview of the biblical teaching on marriage, d...

In the Song of Songs 3:1-5 the Shulamite searches desperately for her beloved and finds him. When she finds him she will not let him go though she knows that love must wait for its proper time. As the Shulamite searches for her beloved, the one her soul loves, so ought the Christian search for Christ, the one his soul loves.

In part 2 of this series on the Sabbath, Pastor Grasso addresses the change of day of the Sabbath.  Why do Christians keep the Sabbath on the Lord's Day?  The answer is because Christ has accomplished the new creation and redemption, therefore we celebrate the new creation and redemption rather than the old.

In part 1 of this series on the Sabbath, Pastor Grasso shows that the Scriptures teach that the Sabbath still continues as a moral obligation for Christians today.  The 4th commandment has not been abolished or abrogated.

In Deuteronomy 23:19-25 Moses begins his exposition of the eighth commandment on stealing.  This commandment entails recognizing the rights and dues that are owed to both God and men.  If one does not give what is another’s by right, or if one does not give to God what he has vowed, then one violates the eighth commandment.  The point of the exposition of the law is to drive to Chri...

In the Song of Songs 2:8-17 the Shulamite describes the call of her beloved.  Her desire is to be with him and thus she responds by declaring her exclusive love for him.  This passage shows the need for men to pursue women in relationships, but even more, it shows God’s pursuit of His people and their need to respond to Him in love.  God calls you by the preaching of the gospel.&nbs...

Deuteronomy 23:1-18 shows that anyone who comes into the presence of God must be holy.  These laws restricting access to God and regulating holiness and purity remained in place until the coming of Christ who has so thoroughly cleansed his people that they now have perfect access into his presence.

In the Song of Songs 1:1-2:7 the Shulamite shows her great desire to be with her beloved, and yet she recognizes that love must wait for its proper time (2:7).  This passages teaches that mutual affection is important in romantic relationships but that sexual intimacy must wait for marriage.  Beyond this, since the Song is about Christ and the Church, the Shulamite’s desire ought to be r...

In Deuteronomy 22:9-30 Moses begins to expound the 7th commandment. Here he shows what entails adultery. The passage teaches that one is to be pure and unmixed with the practices of the world and with unbelievers in marriage (22:9-12), that sex before marriage is wrong (22:13-21), that sex with a married woman is a great sin against God (22:22), that guilt for sexual sins must take circumstances i...

The Song of Songs is one of the most difficult books for Christians to read.  Is the Song only about marriage?  Does it speak about Christ?  In this sermon introducing the Song of Songs, Pastor Grasso shows how the Song of Songs speaks of Christ typologically.  It is not about just any marriage, but the ideal marriage of the Son of David come to restore life to his people.&nbsp...

The sixth commandment, “You shall not murder”, entails more than simply refraining from killing another person.  In Deuteronomy 21:10-22:8 Moses expounds the sixth commandment to include preserving life for the vulnerable, those in one’s family, and even one’s enemies.  It is a violation of the sixth commandment to deprive another of the things needed for life.

In Matthew 7:24-29, Jesus describes two kinds of people, the wise person and the foolish person. Both hear the Word of God, but only one is wise. What is the difference?  The wise person not only hears the Word of God, but also puts it into practice. Hearing the Word does not make one a Christian. The true Christian is a “doer” of the Word, not a hearer only.  Only the doers of the Word...

Does the Bible teach that the form of singing must be the Psalms?  Here Pastor Grasso argues that this is not what the Bible teaches.  Beginning with the first song in Exodus 15 and concluding with the songs in Revelation, Pastor Grasso shows that the people of God always sang songs outside of the Psalms.  Not only this, but all of Scripture testifies to the principle of worship son...

The Scriptures often encourage believers to consider that their days are limited. We are often reminded of this truth in suffering or when we see another suffer. How does the knowledge of the brevity of our lives help us? What good does it do for us to know we will soon die? It is the first step towards wisdom because it helps us to see God’s eternity by contrast and to take refuge in him that we...

How can you endure the trials of this world?  Where do you go when grief comes? In Romans 8:31-39 Paul shows how the great truths of the gospel prove that the christian is more than a conqueror even when it appears he is overwhelmed by grief and trials on every side. The truths of the gospel prove that nothing will ever  separate us from the love of God, and therefore christians in the e...

Moses gives instructions for war.  Contrary to pacifist teaching, the Bible is not absolutely against war in this world.  There are regulations, however.  A just war is one that is fought for just ends.  In such situations those fighting must trust in God and not be afraid.  A just war is conducted so as to preserve the lives of women and children.  We are reminded in...

Christ gives insight into what the final judgment will be like on the last day.  Christ emphasizes that not everyone who names the name of Christ will be saved.  Not everyone who confesses that Jesus is Lord truly belongs to him.  What is the criteria for determining if your confession of faith is genuine?  The work of God’s Spirit to produce holiness in your life.  We can...

Pastor Grasso answers some objections about the Regulative Principle of Worship.  Here he distinguishes between element, form, and circumstance.  Every element must be found in Scripture, the form must be Scriptural, and the circumstances must facilitate the elements and not contradict Scripture.

How does the law against murder relate to cities of refuge? In Deuteronomy 19:1-21 and 21:1-9 Moses deals with how Israel is apply the sixth commandment prohibiting murder in public life. Moses commanded the Israelites to set aside cities of refuge so that people who unintentionally kill another may flee there and be saved. In these passages Moses emphasizes the importance of intention for guilt i...

How can you recognize a false teacher? In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus speaks about false teachers. Outwardly false teachers appear harmless, but they lead many to destruction. How can you recognize them? Christ says by their fruit. This is because the fruit of someone’s life shows what kind of “tree” they are, what kind of person, what kind of nature one has. All people act according to their nature. Sa...

The regulative principle of worship states that in worship we must do the things which God has commanded, and we are not to do the things God has not commanded.  The normative principle states that we can do things God has not commanded so long as we do not do things prohibited.  What does the Bible say? Ultimately, our knowledge about how to worship God can either come from God or...

In Deuteronomy 18:9-22 Moses speaks of a “prophet like Moses”, like himself, whom God will raise up.  This prophet, who is the Lord Jesus Christ (see part 1), is the one who perfectly reveals God, identifies with his people, works great wonders among them, and saves them from their sins.  In all of these things, Christ is not only like Moses but actually far surpasses him.

In Matthew 7:13-14 Christ begins his concluding exhortations for the Sermon on the Mount.  He exhorts his listeners to enter by the narrow gate. In doing this Christ puts two options before everyone: life and death.  There is a broad way that leads to death and a narrow way that leads to life.  How do you enter the narrow gate? Faith in Christ. How do you walk on the narrow way?&nbs...

Pastor Grasso looks at the question of whether or not women should fight in wars by looking at Nahum 3:13 and Isaiah 19:16 among other passages.  Ultimately, God has made men and women differently, and one of these differences is that men have the duty and responsibility to protect women, not the other way around.

In Deuteronomy 18:9-22 God promises to raise up a “prophet like Moses” for the people of God, but Deuteronomy 34:10-12 indicates that this had not happened (written sometime after Moses’ death).  Ultimately, though all prophets resemble Moses in some way, none are like him.  Who is the prophet like Moses?  Who fulfills the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:9-22?  The Lord Jesus Christ...