New Covenant OPC Sermon Podcast

In Revelation 9:13-21 the sixth trumpet blasts. Once again there is escalation in the judgments of God. All of these trumpets are warnings before the second coming for the unbeliever to repent. Astonishingly, the heart of man is so hard that he will not repent even though all of these things come upon him. If today you hear his voice, do not harden your heart as in the rebellion.

In the letter written to the church in Ephesus, Christ has much to commend this seemingly faithful church for. There is one problem however: they have forgotten their first love. We are reminded that without love for Christ, there is nothing that we can do as Christians that is acceptable to God.

Pastor Grasso takes questions on the conference.

Pastor Grasso describes what a recovery of the preaching of the Word of God would entail and how the church has failed to make the Word of God known. True preaching of the Word of God is expository, covering the full counsel of God, without neglecting difficult doctrines, applying the Word to the problems of the day, and Christ centered.

Pastor Grasso discusses the relationship of the modern world to the days of the Reformation and highlights the key characteristics of the Reformation. Like today, the time of the Reformation was one where all institutional power was set against Christianity. The Church conquered by the preaching of the Word of God. The same is needed today.

In Revelation 9:1-12 the fifth trumpet is blown. Satan is permitted to open the abyss filled with demons. They become an instrument of judgment in the hands of God. Though many do not believe in demons today, they are used by God particularly in the judgment of unbelievers. Some of what is called "mental illness" should be understood as the work of demons. What is the solution for those who so suf...

In Genesis 17:15-22 God promises that Sarah will give Abraham a son. This means that the promises made to Abraham will not be fulfilled through surrogacy but through the almighty power of God, who is able to open the womb and give life as He wills. God will always see to the execution of His promises. Ultimately, He does not need man.

In Genesis 17:9-14, 23-27 the sign of the covenant, circumcision, is given to Abraham. Circumcision symbolizes regeneration and God giving the new heart to His people. Like a wedding ring, it is the sign that shows that a person is in covenant with God. Hence it is not optional. In the NT, baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign of the covenant.

In Revelation 8:6-13 the first four trumpets sound. As there were seven seals, so too, now there are seven trumpets. Both trumpets and seals are described in connection with suffering but with a key difference: the trumpets particularly highlight God's judgment on unbelief. The blowing of the first four trumpets show that all who set themselves against God will be judged. This is done partially in...

In Genesis 17:1-8 Abram becomes Abraham. God enters into a formal covenant with Abram and thus changes his name, calling him Abraham, the father of many nations. With this covenant God pledges to bring forth many nations from Abraham, even many kings, which is ultimately fulfilled in the royal priesthood of the church. God will be with Abraham and his seed forever, being their God.

In Revelation 8:6-13 the first four trumpets sound. As there were seven seals, so too, now there are seven trumpets. Both trumpets and seals are described in connection with suffering but with a key difference: the trumpets particularly highlight God's judgment on unbelief. They are patterned off of the trumpets in the taking of Jericho and on the 10 plagues in the Exodus. The trumpets, therefore,...

In Genesis 16:1-16 the enigmatic figure of the Angel of the LORD first appears. In this sermon pastor Grasso explains the Trinitarian significance of the Angel of the LORD as a pre-incarnate form of Christ.

In Revelation 8:1-5 the seventh seal is finally opened. Silence follows as the Kingdom is consummated and the judgment begins. It is with this last judgment that the prayers of the saints, as they cried for vindication in the fifth seal, are answered. The last judgment is depicted as a consequence of the prayers of the elect. Fire from the censer holding the prayers is cast down to the earth and r...

In Genesis 16:1-16 Abram foolishly listens to his wife and takes Hagar as a second wife to produce a male child. Abram sins doubly by agreeing to the plan and then allowing his new wife to be sent away. Hagar sins in her pride over Sarai. Sarai sins in suggesting the idea in the first place. All of this leads to rupture in the family. Yet, in the midst of all of this sin, God comes graciously to H...

In Revelation 7:9-17 John continues to describe the elect. Whereas in 7:1-8 the elect are sealed so as not to fall during their earthly lives, in 7:9-17 they are described in heaven, having conquered. The church militant has become the church triumphant. This heavenly worship is the reward of the saints and is the encouragement held out to struggling Christians. All those sealed will end up in hea...

Polygamy is one of the difficult questions people typically have about the OT. Why was it permitted? Furthermore, as technology improves questions about reproductive options such as surrogacy and IVF are particularly pressing today. In this sermon, Pastor Grasso addresses the implications of Genesis 16:1-16 for these questions.

In Revelation 7:1-8 the elect of God are sealed. The 144,000 refer not to ethnic Israel, but the church, which is true Israel. What we learn from the passage is that, though there will be great challenges and tribulations in this life, God will not lose a single one of those chosen from before the foundation of the world.

In Genesis 15:7-21 God gives Abram a vision foreshadowing the future redemption of the Exodus to give Abram confidence about the promises of God. God does this as an act of grace that he might be encouraged in the midst of the trials of life. Though these kinds of visions are not given today, God still acts to give His people confidence in the promises He has made. The prophecies of the OT still f...

In Revelation 6:9-17 Christ opens the fifth and sixth seals of the scroll given to Him in chapter 5. As Christ opens these seals during the age the church, we understand that two things are true: The Church will be persecuted and the Church will be vindicated.

In Genesis 15:1-6 God makes a promise to Abram that does not appear likely to be fulfilled. Abram, however, knowing in the omnipotent power of God, believes the promise. In response we are told that Abram's faith was counted to him as righteousness. Thus, the patriarch, whose life centers on the theme of faith, is justified by faith, not works.

In Revelation 6:1-8 four horsemen are sent out to bring judgment to the earth. What do these horsemen mean? Ultimately, they show that Christ is sovereign over all the affairs of man. This means that the Christian can be at peace when he sees disasters in the world. It also means that those who are not Christians should repent and turn to Christ.

In Genesis 14:17-24 Abram interacts with two people after defeating the giant slayers: Melchizedek and the King of Sodom. These two interactions are instructive for us. On the one hand, Abram's heart is knit together with Melchizedek because of their common faith. On the other hand, Abram refuses to receive anything from the King of Sodom that he might not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever...

In Revelation 5:1-14 no one is found worthy to open the scroll with its seals except the lamb slain. Christ's glory and worthiness is in His death, whereby He has begun to reign. He is, therefore, worthy to be worshipped forever for redeeming a people for Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

In Genesis 14:1-16 Abram is able to take down the giant slayers Chedorlaomer and his allied kings. Abram conquers where the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, and three others fail. Why? Because God fights for him. As Psalm 33 says, the king is not saved by the strength of his army, but the Lord's eyes are on those who fear him.

In Revelation 4:1-11 John is given a glorious vision of the throne of God. Surely if God is as glorious as He's described in Revelation 4 He should be worshipped forever.