Christ Covenant Church

Possessing the right gospel is the key to: 1) being effective in ministry/evangelism (2:1-10), 2) identifying Christian fakes and flakes (2:11-14), 3) defending your Christian Faith (2:15-21).We can be confident that faith (in Jesus’ death) is enough to gain justification by considering: 1) it is the key to receiving the Holy Spirit (3:1-3), 2) It is why the early Christians were persecuted and experienced miracles (3:4-5), 3) It was the basis of Abe’s justification (3:6), 4) It was part of the gospel preached to Abe (3:7-9), 5) justice is the purpose of the Law not justification (3:10), 6) it was prophesied beforehand as coming after the OC/Law (3:11-12), 7) Christ is the only One who has cleansed away the curse (i.e. God’s wrath – Eph 2:11-13) that comes upon all people (Jew and Gentile) when they violate the Law (3:13-14), 8) you can’t annul God’s prior & promised benefactor transfer (from Abe to Jesus – the singular “offspring” referring to Gen 22:17) (3:15-18), 9) the OC was only meant tb temporary as th

Luke 22-24Satan: 1) answers the prayers of the wicked (22:1-6), 2) possesses the insubordinate among Christians (and) uses them to destroy God’s King/Kingdom (22:3-6), 3) advances his kingdom thru betrayal (22:6; Gen 3), 4) knows us better than we often know ourselves (22:31-34) and 5) is listening to our words and actions to find weakness (e.g. Mat 16:22).Jesus provides His people w/everything they need to prepare and perform proper worship to God (22:7-13).Jesus changed the Passover meal into a remembrance of: 1) His sacrifice to establish the New Covenant (22:19-20), 2) His longing to celebrate w/us in the Kingdom of heaven (22:14-18).Though Jesus had “determined” to lay down his life as our atoning sacrifice for sin, it did not need to happen thru being “betrayed” (22:21-23).True leaders serve those they lead since being the boss doesn’t mean you get to be the biggest baby (22:24-27).Those who Jesus picks to be His leaders in heaven (22:30; “eat & drink at my table” = A statement also implying leadership

Jesus doesn’t want faithful Christians to become lazy or discouraged in continuing to ask God to mete out justice against false Christians who persecute them since such prayers will lead to a speedy fulfillment (18:1-8a; See context in 17:22-25 = Faithful Christians are the audience).Jesus suggests that there will not be many faithful Christians in existence at the time of His return (18:8b; Mat 24:12).No one wb justified before God who does not confess and repent of their sins and submit themselves in full obedience to God and His justice (18:9-14 = The Pharisees were lawless hypocrites – Mat 23:28; “twice a week” [δις του σαββατου] = twice on the Sabbath; “humbles himself” = Confesses, repents and obediently submits – Jam 4:6-10).Children of covenant members belong to (and are valuable to) Jesus. Hence the reason special provision is made for their baptism/early entrance into the “kingdom of God” (18:15-16).Child-like trust in God – not experience in the world or wickedness, is the key to appreciating Him a

he abundance of biblical and extrabiblical evidence regarding demons and demon possession should leave no doubt of their existence.The religious (or Christian) community is not the only one who acknowledges the existence of demons and demon possession. Demons and demon possession are also confirmed in the research and observation of many within the scientific community including those in the fields of philosophy, social science, psychiatry and physics.(Who then are the demons?)The Bible seems to indicate that demons are cherubs or priestly angels, who because of their rebellion, forfeited not only their position as anointed guardians of God’s throne, earthly kingdom and people, but also the privilege of possessing third-dimensional, material or physical bodies.The loss of these bodies is among the main contributing factors to the demons becoming “body-snatchers” (i.e. seeking to possess the bodies of other sentient/reasoning beings – humans) (In re: to possessing their physical bodies – Gen 3:1-15; In re: to

The abundance of biblical and extrabiblical evidence regarding demons and demon possession should leave no doubt of their existence.The religious (or Christian) community is not the only one who acknowledges the existence of demons and demon possession. Demons and demon possession are also confirmed in the research and observation of many within the scientific community including those in the fields of philosophy, social science, psychiatry and physics.(Who then are the demons?)The Bible seems to indicate that demons are cherubs or priestly angels, who because of their rebellion, forfeited not only their position as anointed guardians of God’s throne, earthly kingdom and people, but also the privilege of possessing third-dimensional, material or physical bodies.The loss of these bodies is among the main contributing factors to the demons becoming “body-snatchers” (i.e. seeking to possess the bodies of other sentient/reasoning beings – humans).An ancient Jewish source teaches that God killed the original serpe

The abundance of biblical and extrabiblical evidence regarding demons and demon possession should leave no doubt of their existence.The religious (or Christian) community is not the only one who acknowledges the existence of demons and demon possession. Demons and demon possession are also confirmed in the research and observation of many within the scientific community including those in the fields of philosophy, social science, psychiatry and physics.(Who then are the demons?)The Bible seems to indicate that demons are cherubs or military-grade angels, who because of their rebellion, forfeited not only their position as guardians of God’s throne, earthly kingdom and people, but also the privilege of possessing third-dimensional, material or physical bodies.(Eze 28:13-18; Gen 3:1-6, 13-15) = Both texts contain evidence that strongly suggests Satan and the other cherubim at one time possessed third-dimensional, material or physical bodies. The loss of these bodies is among the main contributing factors to the

God’s law is what determines: 1) right and wrong (not miracles) (14:1-6; Deu 13:1-3; 2Th 2:9-12), 2) greatness (not self-promotion)(14:7-11; v11 – “humbles himself” = Submits to God’s law), 3) who your friends sb (14:12-24, v14 w/vv21-23 = The “poor and crippled and blind and lame” represent those whose only endearing quality is the fact that they will listen/submit to God’s law; Jam 2:5). B/C of the difficult challenges we will face, being a disciple of Jesus requires the complete and total renouncing of: 1) loyalty to anyone over Jesus (including self) (14:25-26), 2) our life being controlled by anyone other than Jesus (14:27-32 = Full commitment/surrender of our life to Jesus), 3) the lie that perseverance in goodness (or righteousness) is not necessary (14:33-35; v34 – “salt” = Persevering goodness; Lev 2:13; Num 18:19; 2Chr 13:5; Mat 5:13; Mar 9:49-50; Col 4:6). Restoring to faithfulness those in the covenant community who are stumbling in sin or have been excommunicated is the way to become a rock-star

Reaching people for Christ requires: 1) the efforts/labor of more than just the church’s pastors (10:1-2 w/6:12-16 w/9:1-6), 2) realizing you will meet many people whose motives for listening to you/following Christ wb selfish/nefarious (10:3), 3) only spending time w/those people who are teachable and truly seeking God’s truth (10:4-6), 4) staying committed to those who are teachable though the conditions may be less than ideal (10:7-9; e.g. the person doesn’t have a sense of urgency/puts little effort into learning or moving forward).We are to warn people that when we share the gospel w/them they wb under God‘s most severe wrath if they reject it since God takes such rejection personally (10:10-16).Like Jesus, those Jesus gives His authority to, have power over the devil and the demons (10:17-19).Being good w/God is far more important than gaining power over the demonic realm (10:20).Jesus knows that the truth about the Father or Himself is too good to be given to anyone who is not willing to totally submit

The abundance of biblical and extrabiblical evidence regarding demons and demon possession should leave no doubt of their existence.The religious (or Christian) community is not the only one who acknowledges the existence of demons and demon possession. Demons and demon possession are also confirmed in the research and observation of many within the scientific community including those in the fields of philosophy, social science, psychiatry and physics. Thousands of cases of demon possession have been recorded going back to antiquity including almost every known human culture citing this supernatural phenomenon as the only possible diagnosis (philosopher and social scientist, Dr. Traugott Oesterreich, psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Gallagher). The (relatively) recent “discovery” of the fourth dimension has caused many physicists to reject their former materialist religion (i.e. only the material realm or third dimension exists), positing that the fourth dimension (a very non-material realm) may be the place consci

The misinterpretation of Scripture: happens when we fail to: 1) exercise precision in regard to its application (6:1-5; See 1Sa 21:1-6 = David and his men were innocent [or “guiltless” – see Mat 12:1-8]; Jesus’ role as “lord of the Sabbath” [or master of the holy day] meant that like David and his men –or the priests [Mat 12:5], He and the “disciples” were holy/set apart to a holy mission [See Joh 15:3 – “clean” = Consecrated as holy] and therefore able to do what others could not [e.g. work for their food] on the Sabbath), 2) understand the spirit of God’s laws – i.e. the principle being established by their instruction (6:6-11 = the Sabbath was meant to bring a blessing to men/animals – not increase/prolong suffering).Though thoroughly Jewish at its foundation (Jewish “apostles” and a Jewish Messiah – Eph 2:20), the New (Covenant) Israel would no longer be tribal (or represented by 12 tribes)(6:12-14b- “Peter and Andrew his brother, James and John” his brother).Potential does not guarantee success (6:12-16

The abundance of biblical and extrabiblical evidence regarding demons and demon possession should leave no doubt of their existence.1.1. Scripture refers to demons or demon possession more than 100 times as a supernatural phenomenon existing in – and experienced by, humans all over the world since its creation (e.g. Luk 8:26-30; Job 1:6-9 = Job is considered to be one of the earliest books in the Bible, the events therein taking place shortly after the flood [Job 22:16] possibly before Abraham based on how long Job lived [Job 42:10-17]. Satan’s intel and influence is however already global [“going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it” = Satan had already travelled the entire planet and was keenly aware of who and where its humans were – including Job]. Hence the reason God can ask the question [“Have you considered my servant Job?”] and receive such a provocative answer [“Does Job fear God for no reason?”]).1.2. The evidence supporting not only the existence of the demonic realm, but al

All world events – even the decisions of its highest human officials/authorities, are being used by God to accomplish His purposes in relation to His people (2:1-6 w/Mat 2:6 and Mic 5:2; See also Pro 21:1).Following the medical wisdom of our day is a part of how we trust God and recognize His sovereignty in our present world (2:7 – “swaddling cloths” = strips of cloth wrapped around the baby’s body to ensure proper growth/sleep).The gospel (or “good news”) of salvation through Jesus Christ “the Lord” – or “peace” w/God is something those legitimately seeking to be right w/God: 1) never run away from in “fear”(2:8-14), 2) immediately make “haste” to discover, treating everything else as secondary (e.g. the shepherds’ flock) (2:15-16), 3) impactfully share w/others (2:17-19), 4) receive w/great joy and thankfulness (2:20).God’s peace is only “among those with whom He is pleased” (2:14).Dedicating/raising your child unto the Lord means by being obedient to “do for Him (or “perform everything”) according to the c

WHO is God? WHAT was God’s purpose in creating us? WHY is there suffering in the world? HOW do we determine truth? When are we most happy? WHERE is the endgame of life?The endgame for every person is standing before god in judgment of all our deeds to determine whether we were faithful or unfaithful, whether we are fit for heaven or fit for hell.

Numbers 34-36The “inheritance” (or realization) of God’s b-haps (big, happy, awesome promises) requires: 1) great attention to God’s definitions/details (34:1-15 -the land of Canaan defined by its “borders”), 2) following the assigned path given to you by your appointed leaders (34:16-29 – “men who shall divide the land to you”; Heb 13:17).God commands His people to live in areas where there are Levitical cities (today this wb the church) for the purpose of receiving: 1) spiritual influence (35:1-5, 7-8; These cities/dwelling places of the Levites became the centers for biblical education; Heb 13:7), 2) justice (35:6, 9-34; These cities/dwelling places of the Levites also become the courts for protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty; 1Co 6:1-6).The congregation of God’s people (in each Levitical city) are to serve as witnesses and judges when determining the protection or punishment of those accused of a capital crime (35:9, 24-29; Lev 5:1).Intentionality, use of a lethal weapon, enmity or hatred are

LUKE 8:9-10, 16-18 WHO is God? WHAT was God’s purpose in creating us? WHY is there suffering in the world? HOW do we determine truth?Truth is found by submitting all things to the interpretation and judgment of God’s written Word, the Bible. HAPPINESS: WHEN are we most happy?We are most happy when we are seeking to know God, gain His glory and advance His kingdom through trust and obedience to His design, gospel and written Word, the Bible.