Christ Covenant Church

1. If you are going to follow Christ and make it to heaven, then you must be a person characterized by sexual purity not sexual sin. (Gal 5:19 w/21; Eph 5:5; 1Th 4:1-6; 2Pe 3:14 “spotless” [Grk., aspilos = Without stain versus 2Pe 2:13-14 “eyes full of adultery” consider w/Job 31:1) = IOW: their eyes/minds are not fixed on covenant faithfulness to their wives (or God) but instead their next illicit sexual fix (Jer 2:22-24; Rev 22:15). 2. Those who struggle with sexual sin – or possess strong desires to commit sexual sin, are people guilty of idolatry. 2.1. IOW: struggles with-or strong desires to commit sexual sin, are a sure sign that the person you are dealing with is an idolator. 2.2. Idolatry is the worship of something other than the Creator, or God. You worship the creature or what is created - which in practical terms means that you trust your flesh (your senses or sense of perception) and/or the propaganda of the world (the creature v. the Creator) when determining the value of things in this life (e.

Coherent (def.): clear, consistent, logical and reasonable (equitable/just). Coherent things are intelligible, they make sense. Christ Covenant Church seeks to a place that possesses coherent Christianity. The reason for this endeavor is the following: 1. Coherency is essential to the confirmation of something as truth especially as it relates to what you believe. 1.1. In Philosophy this is known as the Coherence Theory of Truth: an individual proposition (or belief) is only true if it is coherent with existing propositions or a system of propositions (or beliefs) already determined to be true (e.g.,) I [Scott Jarrett] am 54 going on 55. For that belief to be true, then it must cohere with other beliefs or truths such as: 1. My birth date is 11/1/69, 2. I am still alive. My statement/proposition (54 going on 55) sb considered true b/c it is logically coherent.  1.2. That coherency is essential to truth (or what we believe to be true) can be seen by considering Satan’s first attack against humanity. It was an

Coherent (def.): to be clear and consistent, logical and reasonable.The accusations of our critics:[See PREVIOUS SERMON (Coherence Part 1) for accusations 1-3] 4. Your requirement of faithful obedience to be a Christian is too difficult. We are totally broken and unable to live faithfully obedient lives to God. It is for this reason the message of salvation is faith in Christ not faithfulness to Christ. It is also the reason Jesus came to earth – to obey so we wouldn’t have to! The standard of obedience preached at your church is just making people into self-righteous Pharisees. God doesn’t expect nor require this level of commitment to get heaven. Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 4.1. Though we are born depraved – or with a strong desire for sin (or to serve self over God and His commands), we still possess the ability to choose and do good – or obey His commands. If this were not true, then God would be unjust for condemning people to hell based on their deeds (ability establishes culpability)

Coherence (def.,) to be intellectually clear and consistent, logical and reasonable.The accusations of our critics:1. Your list of capital crimes and their punishments are completely arbitrary. The NT possesses no such list or penalties. The only law is love.Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 1.1. The NT (or more specifically, Jesus) affirms the OT Law’s (including its capital crimes) continuing authority under the NC and for the Christian (Mat 5:17-18, hence 19-20).1.2. The NT likewise establishes excommunication as the new and consistent application of the prior established (OT) principle of death prescribed for capital crimes (OT = physical, NT = spiritual) (1Co 5:1-5; 1Ti 1:20).1.3. Given that God prescribes the same punishment for all capital crimes, the time assigned to excommunication likewise must be the same no matter the kind of capital offense committed (Num 15:16). Biblical equity also requires that repeat offenders receive an increased sentence or level of severity commensurate to the

1. Relevance of this study 1.1. Unbelief wb at an all-time high at the return of Christ (Luk 18:8).1.2. Without sustaining belief (or faith) in God, His Person and Words (1Ti 1:5 [“love” = For God and others – loyalty/equity]; Heb 10:37-39 [w/Heb 11:6]; 1Jo 5:4-5; 1Pe 1:5-7), it is impossible to sustain faithfulness to God and others (the other necessary instrument of salvation and to receiving divine blessings) (Jam 2:14-24; Luk 17:3-10; hence 2Pe 1:5-11; our examples – Heb 11:33 and 12:2). 1.3. Transformation from a foolish, spiritually darkened, deceived person led by their flesh/feelings to a person who is wise, discerning, enlightened and led by the Spirit, is also impossible without sustained belief (or faith) in God  (Psa 119:66; 2Co 4:4; Eph 6:16; 1Th 2:13, 3:5-7, 5:8; 1Pe 5:9). 1.4. Un-sustained belief (or faith) in God will eventually lead to apostasy (Heb 3:12-14; Rom 11:20-23).1.5. Every weapon in Satan’s arsenal has this as its goal: the destruction of belief in God, His Person and Words (Gen 3:1

1. Relevance of this study  1.1. Unbelief wb at an all-time high at the return of Christ (Luk 18:8). 1.2. Belief (or faith – Mar 11:22-23) in God, His Person and Words is the first necessary instrument of salvation and to receiving God’s blessings (Gen 15:6; Isa 7:9; Mat 13:58 ; Luk 1:20, 45; Joh 3:15-18, 5:24, 10:26; Act 10:43, 16:31; Rom 1:16, 3:28; Heb 3:18-4:2; 11:6 [He is there and He is not silent]; 2Ti 3:15; Contra – hell, Rev 21:8).  1.3. Without sustaining belief (or faith) in God, His Person and Words (1Ti 1:5 [“love” = For God and others – loyalty/equity]; Heb 10:37-39 [w/Heb 11:6]; 1Jo 5:4-5; 1Pe 1:5-7), it is impossible to sustain faithfulness to God and others (the other necessary instrument of salvation and to receiving divine blessings) (Jam 2:14-24; Luk 17:3-10; hence 2Pe 1:5-11; our examples – Heb 11:33 and 12:2).  1.4. Transformation from a foolish, spiritually darkened and deceived person who is addicted to their feelings, sin and the world to a person who is wise, discerning, enlightened

1. The book, "Life for Dummies" is the Bible, which means the less you know and believe, the more you reveal yourself to be a dummy. (Is 8:20)2. Life is a test, and God is the proctor of that test. He is the one judging/grading how you do. It is why you exist. This is our purpose: pass His test. Those who pass the test seek Him through the constant, consistent, and permanent practice of learning about Him. (Heb 11:6; Jer 29:13; Jer 9:24; Col 1:28; Col 2:1-10; Joh 1:18; 2 Pe 3:17-18; 2 Pe 1:16-1903. Because life is a test, you will be tested. (Deu 8:2; 1 Pe 4:12-18; Jam 1:1-2; Phi 1:28 w/ 1 Pe 4; 1 Co 10:13; Eze 3:8; Rom 6:20-22).3.1 We choose one or more of 3 things that are overcomer killers (e.g., enhancers).3.1.1 Ignore, or refuse to believe, God's Truth. (Rom 1:18-24; Deu 8:2)3.1.2 Give in to fear. (Eze 3; Rev 21:7-8; Psa 11)3.1.3 Listen to the lies of your flesh and the world. (1 Joh 2:15-17; 1 Joh 2:3; Eph 5:5-6; Jer 17:9; Heb 3:12; Rom 8:4-14; Eph 4:17-24).4. The key to passing life's test is overcompe

QUESTIONS1. Can you give the Big Picture (from God's Word)?2. Can you show that salvation is a marrage?3. Can you show it is a marriage to Jesus?4. Can you show who Jesus is and what He did?5. Can you show that baptism necessary as the place where we pledge our allegiance to Jesus?6. Can you show that God's vow to us is dependent on us being faithful?7. Can you show that obedience is necessary to salvation?8. Can you show that the obedience God requires is faithfulness and not perfection?9. Can you show that this is something you can do?10. Can you show faithfulness means our new life will be characterized by righteousness and repentance?ANSWERS1. (Heb 11:6; Romans 2:6-8)2. (Jer 31:31-32)3. (Eph 5:32; Acts 4:12; Jude 1:5)4. (1 Cor 15:1-4; John 1:1-5, 14)5. (1 Pe 3:21; John 3:5; Gal 3:26-27)6. (Luk 10:25-28; Hebrews 3-4)7. (Jam 2:24)8. (Deu 28:1; Mat 25:14-30; Mat 5:48 w/ Col 1:28)9. (Deu 30:10-14)10. (1 John 3:4, 7-10; Luk 13:1-9; Acts 26:20)

1. God is real. This life is the test.2. Extreme ownership.3. Self suspicion before evil suspicion.4. See something, say something.5. No victim mentality.6. Use the courts.7. Those who fail to fulfill the second greatest commandment are fit only for the pit.CLOSING THOUGHTS1. The first generation ministry is to raise up the second generation.2. Hold them accountable so that their generations are not marked by the same failures.3. we all need to own the failures of our first generation and vow to be better.

An important ministry in the church is the ministry of mercy. This study will discuss various aspects related to this subject. 1. Historically the church has recognized the existence of only two forms of ministry: the ministry of mediation and the ministry of mercy. The ministry of mediation includes all those gifts and tasks related to teaching (e.g., preaching, discipleship, counseling, music/worship, sacraments), justice (e.g., discipline, establishing policy, counseling, judgment/JUDCO, sacraments) and operations (security, administration, finances, building and grounds maintenance) whereas the ministry of mercy includes all those gifts and tasks related to caring for the disadvantaged (e.g., poor, elderly, sick, injured and incapacitated) and dying. Support for this two-fold division is as follows:1.1. The division of labor practiced by the church of the apostles (Act 6:1-4) = A division between those officers who would oversee the ministry of mediation (“ministry of the word”) and those who would functi

1. Culpability: without exception, every person able to reason, who knows that what they are doing is wrong (Jam 4:17) is not only fully culpable for their actions but also fully capable of turning from them (repentance) (Act 17:30; Deu 30:9-14). With respect to one’s ability to reason consider:1) God makes such a distinction in multiple OT texts (Jon 4:11 “know the difference between their right and left hand”; Isa 7:15-16 “know enough to refuse evil and choose good”; Isa 8:4 “My father...my mother” ) = A person able to demonstrate (e.g., in conversation w/others) cognitive reasoning skills (i.e., able to make distinctions for the purpose of comparing and contrasting -or use deduction as part of their thinking process [“if this then that”]). 2) God’s makes a punitive distinction between those who are able/old enough to reason and those who are not in (Deu 1:39 “have no knowledge of good and evil”) = Not yet old enough to reason. A person’s ability to reason therefore renders that person subject to the full w

GOD’S EXISTENCE (The Moral Test argument)1. Through our inescapable drive to assess (judge) all things from an ethical perspective (right and wrong), we (humanity) are not only confirming our unique identity as moral creatures but also our belief in: 1) this life as a test (ethics indicate a test) and 2) the existence of God (i.e., an objective test-grader) Who in the after-life, will reward or punish us based on our performance of the test.1.1. Hence the reason humans suffer guilt, depression and mental illness, b/c we as moral creatures sense our failures in relation to the test we instinctively know exists (Deu 28:20, 28). 1.2. The Moral Test argument cannot be refuted nor should anyone want to refute it given the other options: 1) this life is the only life or 2) everyone goes to heaven makes all suffering and evil meaningless and unbearably cruel (Deu 28:34 “you will be driven mad by what you see”). 1.3. Support: (Rom 1:18-21; Luk 20:35; Rev 3:4-5; Jam 1:12 [Hence Jam 1:1-3]; Psa 62:12 Pro 24:12; Mat 16:

Stranger things = Those fringe[1] subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds.  Why we are discussing these kinds of subjects = So that we are viewing of our world in the same way Jesus and those living in the ancient near east (the bible’s authors) viewed their world since this is not only the real world but also vital to proper biblical interpretation (or the avoidance of projecting on the text/reading into the text our modern ideas and assumptions [eisegesis] – e.g., Gen 2:18-20).  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced t

What does it mean to be a human being? Why are we here or what is our purpose? What is truth and where do I find it? Why do we suffer? Where is everything heading? In sharing the gospel, these are the questions that also need to be answered. We need a “big picture gospel”, one that not only provides the answers to life’s larger ontological questions but shows their connection to God’s redemptive plan[1].  1. God created men and women in His image as eternal[2], free-will spirits[3] with a moral conscience[4] and a two-fold purpose: 1) to have relationship with Him and others (and) 2) to promote and protect moral physics (truth, beauty and justice[5]) in relation to Him and the rest of Creation. It is this two-fold purpose that establishes the two greatest commandments in the Bible (love the Lord your God and love your neighbor) (Mat 22:37-40). It should therefore come as no surprise that moral physics – most specifically the practice of justice (or equity), is what makes us peacemakers (Mat 5:9 “peacemakers”

What does it mean to be a human being? Why are we here or what is our purpose? What is truth and where do I find it? Why do we suffer? Where is everything heading? In sharing the gospel, these are the questions that also need to be answered. We need a “big picture gospel”, one that not only provides the answers to life’s larger ontological questions but shows their connection to God’s redemptive plan[1].  1. God created men and women in His image as eternal[2], free-will spirits[3] with a moral conscience[4] and a two-fold purpose: 1) to have relationship with Him and others. 1) (Gen 1:27 “image”) = Not only does this word infer humans are eternal, free-will spirits w/a moral conscience like God but also relationship w/God and other image-bearers given this is the primary reason things are created to be like one another: to make them compatible in relationship. 2) (Gen 1:28 “be fruitful and multiply” = Create others w/Gen 2:18-20 “there was not a suitable helper found for him”) = Because of the massive dissim

Scholars agree that the subject of Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 is corporate worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday). What many also agree on is the interchangeability of the terms “psalms”, “hymns” and “spiritual songs.”[1] IOW: these terms do not refer to different types of songs but rather function as “overlapping near synonyms”[2] meant to emphasize the imperative of congregational singing.[3] With that in mind, here (then) is God’s prescription for our congregational singing:1. The focus must be on God and His work not us or ours. 1.1. (Eph 5:19, “singing…to the Lord”; Col 3:16 “singing… to God”) 1.2. Too many songs in MCW (modern Christian worship) are guilty of placing the focus on us (what we are feeling, doing or going to do for God) w/very little – to no communication in respect to God (Who He is and what He has done or is doing). IOW: they are heavy on us and light on God.[4] 1.3. Compare: 1) (Psa 8, 46) = Words focused on God: Who He is and what He has done.[5] 2) Crown Him

Stranger things = Those fringe[1] subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds. Why we are discussing these kinds of subjects = So that we are viewing of our world in the same way Jesus and those living in the ancient near east (the bible’s authors) viewed their world since this is not only the real world but also vital to proper biblical interpretation (or the avoidance of projecting on the text/reading into the text our modern ideas and assumptions [eisegesis] – e.g., Gen 2:18-20).  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced th

Stranger things = Those fringe[1] subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds.  Why we are discussing these kinds of subjects = So that we are viewing of our world in the same way Jesus and those living in the ancient near east (the bible’s authors) viewed their world since this is not only the real world but also vital to proper biblical interpretation (or the avoidance of projecting on the text/reading into the text our modern ideas and assumptions [eisegesis] – e.g., Gen 2:18-20).  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced t