Christ Covenant Church In Mesquite

Now, the passage from Isaiah that Paul quoted comes from the Book of Isaiah chapter 6. You heard it read before the sermon. It describes the mission of Isaiah the prophet to his own people. It also describes the mission of the apostle to his kinsmen. Five years ago, my two sons and I went to see the WW2 movie Fury along with some of you guys. One scene that stands out to me involves the tank crew sitting in the belly of a tank on the brink of a terrible battle. The crew is a cross-cultural community — Anglo and Hispanic. The tank is a sanctuary. A crewman preaches the word of God from Isaiah 6. “Here’s a Bible verse I think about sometimes. Many times. It goes: ‘Then I heard the voice of Lord saying: Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And — I said: Here am I, send me!'” A bottle of spirits gets passed around from man to man. They “christen” a young crewman Machine. They offer shouts of praise. A cloud of smoke fills the tank. The tank crew identify themselves with Isaiah the prophet. They relate

Reformation Sunday -- To misquote Tolkien, together through stages of this congregation’s life “we have fought the long defeat.” And yet we are not defeated.

This beautiful piece was performed by Jadera during our communion service.

Where there is no vision of the Lord Jesus Christ the people cast off restraint and perish. #beatificvision

“The two hardest things to say in life are hello for the first time and goodbye for the last.” (Moira Rogers)

Acts 19:1-10 follows Jesus' Commission from Matthew 28:18-20. Go - Acts 19:1 Make disciples - 19:1b-4 Baptizing them - 19:5-7 Teaching them - 19:8-9 I will be with you always - 19:10 How did Paul disciplize? By baptizing, catechizing, and evangelizing with the power of the Spirit and the presence of Christ.

Note the Exodus Motif in Acts 18:1-11 -- Jews forced to leave an oppresive ruler and city; tentmakers; gathering (assembly); Sabbath; opposition towards God's word and the true and better Moses; malediction ("your blood be on your own heads"); a new Jepthah (Titius Justus), a devout next-door-to-the-Jews neighbor; whole households passed through the Red Sea of baptism ("water poured down" on them); divine vision and benediction / covenant promises and blessings; the word of God was given and received. (Acts 18:1-11; Deuteronomy 11:1-5, 8-9; Psalm 77:16-20; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17; 10:1-4; 12:13)

The gospel of grace brings rest and refreshment to Lydia and her family as God establishes a colony of heaven in Philippi.

“The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.” ― John Calvin

This beautiful piece was performed by Jadera during our communion service.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most encouraging word in the world. God's faithful presence with his people reaches its zenith in Jesus Christ, God-in-the-flesh.

The apostle Peter was never a Pope, but his sermon to the Gentiles was the first truly catholic message of the early church. It was universal in scope.

"The term beatific vision describes the direct sight of the glory of God. This is what the redeemed will have in heaven fully, by sight, and what believers have now on earth partially, by faith and not yet with our literal eyes." - Tim Keller, Prayer https://christcovenantc.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/beatific-vision/

The gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ prohibits us from showing partiality or favoritism; from showing bias or contempt towards each other.

Jesus sent the Spirit of Truth to search our hearts and minds that he might sanctify our lives.

Jesus is the only Savior and our Sovereign Lord.

Jesus is the author of life. [Recorded after the storm, for which our Lord's day service was suspended.]

Pentecost Sunday / Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me / Break Me, Melt Me, Mold me, Fill Me!

"We are so quick to tweet, facebook, and instagram, but we treat prayer with delay." - Tim Keller "Pray without ceasing." - St. Paul

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the truer and better peace and security of the world. Kingdoms rise and fall, but the word of our Lord stands forever.