New Covenant OPC Sermon Podcast

The food laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy have always been challenging to Christians. What is the significance of these laws from Deuteronomy 14:1-21? Ultimately these laws were meant to make a distinction between Israel, who was chosen by God and therefore holy, and the world, which is enslaved to death. Not only that, but the doing away of the food laws shows that the nations are no longer in e...

In Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus addresses prayer and specifically what kind of prayer is pleasing to God. As with his discussion on giving, he assumes people pray, but he also points out that some people pray and receive nothing from God. It is not those who pray to be seen by others but rather those who pray out of love for God who are heard by him. It is not those who repeat themselves but those who see...

Transgenderism is an important topic in the world today.  What does the Bible say about the issue?  Pastor Grasso addresses this issue by showing the biblical view of the body in both creation and the resurrection and how the body itself contributes to our understanding of our identity and will itself be saved on the last day.

In Deuteronomy 13:1-18 Moses speaks of the need to put to death false prophets, apostate family members who seek to lead others astray, and entire cities that have turned against the Lord without any pity. The equivalent today is excommunication. Moses roots faithful execution of discipline in the love of God. The primary reason for faithful discipline is love for God and lack of discipline proves...

In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus begins speaking about good works that are pleasing to God. He assumes that Christians will give but shows that giving in and of itself is not necessarily pleasing to God. It matters how one chooses to give. What makes the act of giving pleasing to God? Here Christ focuses on the aim of it. Giving is acceptable when it is not done for one’s own glory but rather for the glory...

Pastor Grasso addresses the fifth point of the five points of Calvinism: the Perseverance of the Saints.  Here he shows that the Scriptures, recognizing salvation to be the sovereign work of God, teach that man cannot lose his salvation.  He also addresses objections from Hebrews 6 as well as the distinction between eternal security and perseverance.

In Deuteronomy 12:29-32 Moses continues to expound the 2nd Commandment dealing with the right way to worship God.  What kind of worship does God accept?  We are told that God does not accept worship by idols, but also that the worship that God does accept is that which is obedient to His commands.  There are only two sources for worship practices: man and God.  True worship com...

In Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus concludes this section of the Sermon on the Mount by teaching that Christians must love their enemies thereby reflecting their Father in heaven.  This is a difficult doctrine in any circumstances, but as the Church seems to have more and more enemies it is particularly important for Christians to understand today.

Pastor Grasso tackles the fourth point of Calvinism: Irresistible Grace, showing that God's action is ultimate in salvation, not man's.  Both the Old and New Testament teach that in order for man to come to God, God must draw man.  This does not make man a robot, however, for God draws by putting a new heart in man so that he comes most freely.

In Deuteronomy 12:1-28 Moses explains that God will choose to set His name in a particular place once the people of God have rest all around.  Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this.  He is the King who gives rest to all of His people, and He is the place God has chosen to set His name, the fulfillment of everything represented by the temple in the Old Testament.  Not only this,...

Today there is much discussion about rights and fairness.  More and more Christians are facing hostile treatment.  How should a Christian respond?  Though Christians should not give up their rights, especially the right to worship, there is wisdom needed to know when to insist on our rights and when to turn the other cheek.  Christ addresses this in Matthew 5:38-42.  Thoug...

Pastor Grasso looks at the third point of Calvinism, Limited Atonement.  He argues that the Arminian position limits the power of the cross and in some ways is not properly an atonement.  The Scriptures rather teach that Christ came to save His people, the many, His sheep, and His bride.  Only those covered by the blood of the lamb will be saved, and nobody covered by that blood wil...

Deuteronomy 12 is foundational for the worship of God for the Israelites.  Here God promises to set His name in a particular place, which ends up being Jerusalem in the day of David.  Pastor Grasso explains the significance of this central place for the worship of God, and the way it was fulfilled in Christ, such that now, the place God has set His name is Christ through the incarnation....

It seems like the world, with its postmodern bent, is incapable of simply speaking the truth.  In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus takes up the question of speaking the truth as it relates to oaths and vows, showing the need to let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no”.  Here he also critiques the Jewish idea of swearing by something other than God, which was prohibited by Moses (Deuteronomy 6:13...

Pastor Grasso looks at the second point of Calvinism, Unconditional Election.  Here he argues that the Arminian position of conditional election seeks to make man's will ultimate in salvation.  The Scriptures, however, teach that God's will is ultimate.  God does not choose because He sees man will come to Him, rather He chooses even though He knows that man never would come to Him...

In Deuteronomy 11:8-32 Moses concludes his exposition of the First Commandment to have no other gods before Him.  As is typical for covenant contexts, he concludes with a blessing and a curse for the people depending on their obedience.  The obedience required is loving God and the blessing to be received is life with God in the land.  Such an exhortation applies to all people today...

Today marriage is thought to be a useless institution that is nothing more than a piece of paper validating something that was already true; however, marriage is the bedrock of society and more fundamentally of the Church.  In Matthew 5:31-32 Christ shows the true importance of marriage by indicating the grave sin that accompanies any unlawful divorce thus preserving the sanctity of marriage.

Pastor Grasso begins a series on the five points of Calvinism.  Here he tackles total depravity, explaining what it means and what it does not mean, in order to show man's condition apart from the grace of God.  In order to know God's grace truly, you must know what you are saved from.

In Deuteronomy 11:1-7 Moses highlights the fact that his audience have not just heard about the grace of God and His awesome works, but their own eyes have seen it.  Moses teaches that this knowledge of God’s greatness and His grace actually increases the obligation to obey the law.  The same holds true in the Church.  The Christian’s obligation to keep the law increases as he incre...

In Matthew 5:27-30 Christ addresses the sin of adultery, showing that the seventh commandment is about more than simply full blown adultery.  It includes even looking on someone in lust outside of marriage.  Christ then exhorts Christians to fight against all such sexual sins aggressively.  This is a timely topic in light of the confusion regarding sexual sin in our culture.

The question of whether or not extraordinary spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy continue today is a pressing question in light of the charismatic movement.  Pastor Grasso argues that while the ordinary gifts of the Spirit continue and are crucial for the church, the extraordinary gifts have ceased, which gives increasing importance to the Bible as it is the only source of knowing the w...

In Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Moses begins the conclusion of his long explication of Deuteronomy 6:4-5.  In this passage, which reads like a sermon, Moses shows that God’s command to love Him with all of your heart, soul, and strength is not a burdensome command in light of the love God has shown in the gospel, especially as this love is the gracious love of the almighty, incomprehensibly glorious...

In Matthew 5:21-26 Jesus gives his authoritative interpretation of the sixth commandment.  He shows that the sixth commandment regarding murder extends even to our thoughts and words.  Such an interpretation shows the necessity of seeking love and reconciliation with others, especially with other Christians.  Whether you are the one who sinned against another or the one who has been...

In light of the protests, rioting, and violence that happened yesterday (January 6, 2021) at the capitol building, Pastor Grasso addresses the obligation of Christians to submit to the government and to election results.  Ultimately, the Christian can find peace in knowing that God is the one who is in control of all things.

In Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11 Moses continues to explain what loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength means.  Here he addresses the question concerning why God is bringing the Israelites into the land.  What do they contribute to their salvation?  Ultimately, they contribute only their sin.  They are not brought into the land because of their righteousness but only by the...