Christ Covenant Church

In Matthew 16:24 Rabbi Jesus communicates what is necessary to possess Him as Savior. In so doing He also invites us to discover the key to securing its goal – eternity with Him in Paradise.1. If you want Jesus to be your Savior then you must live the rest of your life rejecting the belief that the most valuable things in this life are those that advance/promote self-image or pleasure (24a).1.1. When Jesus says “Come after Me” He is alluding to OT Messianic texts such as (Isa 55:1-4) which means He is referring to possessing Him as Savior (or coming to Him to receive salvation).1.2. What Jesus means by “deny himself and take up his cross” is the making the choice to permanently reject the pursuit of my image (self-image) and those things which advance it as the most valuable things in this life. Even people who live for – or are infatuated with – or find most valuable, the lives of others and therefore try to imitate them are still people living for the advancement of their own self-image. The reason they ass

In Matthew 16:24-27 Rabbi Jesus communicates what is necessary to possess Him as Savior. In so doing He also invites us to discover the key to securing its goal – eternity with Him in Paradise. 1. If you want Jesus to be your Savior then you must live the rest of your life rejecting the belief that the most valuable things in this life are those that advance/improve self-image or pleasure (24a).1.1. “come after Me” = Possess Me as Savior (for the purpose of salvation) (Isa 55:1-4 w/Mat 16:13-16). Notice it is conditional (“If anyone wishes to…”). IOW: wanting Him or salvation is not enough to possess Him or it (Luk 13:22-24) = Jesus by His mention of “many” not being “able” to “enter” confirms this man’s concern that there are “just a few who are being saved.” The reason however is not because the “many” do not desire it (“for many, I tell you will seek to enter”). Rather, it is due to the fact that though they want to be saved they refuse the pain and unpopular path (“Strive” [Grk., agonizomai; agonize] = Fi

Preliminary considerations:1. Most sincerely believe that their FAG (faith alone gospel) is derived solely from the Bible. These same people also sincerely believe they are - by their embrace the FAG, declaring the Bible to be God’s indispensable, infallible and incorruptible Word. Few however realize that by embracing what the FAG teaches, they are instead declaring the Bible – or God’s Word to be the opposite of those things. That portions of the Bible can be ignored (or dispensed of) when it comes to determining truth; that there are fundamental contradictions between the OT and NT; and that because of these things, God is now doing things that make Him unjust. 2. The reasons for this dichotomy: (2.1.) though many of their pastors and scholars are aware of this, they refuse to be open about it for fear of losing their jobs, families or friends (CCC has encountered this firsthand). (2.2.) bandwagon manipulation (ad populum) (2.3.) what passes for “deep biblical teaching” in most churches is emotionally driv

The destruction of Solomon’s Temple in 586 BC, caused the Levitical priesthood to be displaced by synagogues (congregations or assemblies) and rabbis, men who because of their devotion to righteous behavior and deep study of the Old Testament were ordained by their congregations to function as their anointed shepherds, teachers and judges. The authority of these old covenant communities and their rabbis continued to be recognized as legitimate not only after the restoration of the Temple and priesthood, but during the time of Christ.[1] New Testament evidence strongly suggests “rabbi” remains the appropriate title for those serving as the anointed shepherds, teachers and judges of the new covenant community, the church. 1. Jesus established the synagogues – or congregations led by rabbis that existed in His day as the model for His new covenant churches (congregations).  1.1. (Joh 4:21-24) (21) “neither on this mountain [Mt. Gerizim – the site of the Samaritan temple] nor in Jerusalem [the site of Israel’s Te

As part of His messianic mission, Jesus came to see that the principles established by the Old Testament Scriptures (the laws governing Old Covenant Judaism) are faithfully obeyed (Isa 2:1-3; Mic 4:1-3; Mat 5:17-20) according to their transformation by His ministry (i.e., their application in New Covenant Judaism) For example (1Co 5:1-5 [Lev 18:8 w/20:10] w/Heb 9:13-14) = Unlike the former sin offerings, Christ’s death can cleanse our souls (“conscience” = Sense of guilt/corruption in relation to one’s own soul or the soul of others; 2Co 4:2; Heb 9:9-10, 10:1-2 ; See also 1Jo 1:9) of “dead works” or mortal sins (i.e., capital crimes): sins which mortally wound the moral state of the soul (e.g., 1Jo 5:16 “sin that leads to death”; See also Jub 21:22 “sin a sin unto death”) making the guilty person’s physical death no longer necessary as a means of preserving their soul for salvation (1Co 5:5 “so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”) = God’s goal in justice from the beginning (2Co 13:11 =

As part of His messianic mission, Jesus came to see that the principles established by the Old Testament Scriptures (the laws governing Old Covenant Judaism) are faithfully obeyed (Isa 2:1-3; Mic 4:1-3; Mat 5:17-20) according to their transformation as a result of His ministry (i.e., their application in New Covenant Judaism; e.g., Isa 66:21 [Exo 28:1,40-43; Num 3:1-3] w/Heb 7:11-22, 28). This includes those principles established by the various Sabbath commands (days, harvest season festivals and years): 1) Hardship relief (Exo 20:8-11 and Lev 25:1-55 w/Heb 4:9-11 and Mat 12:12). 2) Holy convocation w/rejoicing (Lev 23:1, 7-8, 21, 24, 27, 35-37 w/Heb 10:25; Psa 92 w/Col 3:16). 3) Reciprocation (Exo 23:14-19 w/Heb 7:1-10; 1Co 16:1-2). 4) Covenant renewal (Lev 23:1-44 w/Luk 22:19-20).  That being said, what changes have been made to the Sabbath under New Covenant Judaism? And why the change?1. What? Our observance of the Sabbath principles are no longer tied to the day of Saturday, the festivals of Passover, P

As part of His messianic mission, Jesus came to see that the principles established by the Old Testament Scriptures (the laws governing Old Covenant Judaism) are faithfully obeyed according to their application for New Covenant Judaism (Isa 2:1-3; Mic 4:1-3; Mat 5:17-20). This includes those principles established by the various Sabbath day commands. That being said… 1. There are four principles established by the various Sabbath commands that we must be faithful to practice: 1.1. Rest and relief from labors, hardships or suffering.1.1.1. (Exo 23:12, 31:12-17; Lev 25:1-13 [the poor and property, 14-55]) = The seventh day, seventh year and the end of seven sabbath years were all to be observed as times of rest or relief from regular work - and other labors, hardships or suffering, not only for God’s people, but those people, animal and things under their charge. Notice again from Exodus 31: these “sabbaths” (or all of God’s various Sabbath commands): 1) promised certain death to those who found defiant (14-15

How did we arrive at NCJ? What paradigm shifts in our understanding of God’s Word did He use to reveal to me (pastor Scott) that what Jesus and His New Testament authors are teaching is not a new religion (Christianity), but a restoration of ancient Judaism according to its New Covenant expression? 1. (2006) Lord Before SaviorFully submitting/dedicating ourselves to Jesus’ Lordship by repenting – or confessing and turning from our sin through justice and just living was the pre-requisite to His deliverance (salvation) in the OT (esp. ancient Judaism) just as it is in the NT. IOW: Lordship Salvation is not simply a NT phenomenon (Heb 5:9 w/13:8)2. (2012) Gain and MaintainThe framework of salvation is the same under the New Covenant as it was under the Old Covenant (or ancient Judaism): we gain our salvation by grace through faith and maintain it through faithful obedience to God’s commands. IOW: There is no dichotomy between works and faith in salvation. 3. (2013) Marriage Covenant Theology/GospelRedemptive hi

How did we arrive at NCJ? What paradigm shifts in our understanding of God’s Word did He use to reveal to me (pastor Scott) that what Jesus and His New Testament authors are teaching is not a new religion (Christianity), but a restoration of ancient Judaism according to its New Covenant expression?  1. (2006) Lord Before SaviorFully submitting/dedicating ourselves to Jesus’ Lordship by repenting – or confessing and turning from our sin through justice and just living was the pre-requisite to His deliverance (salvation) in the OT (esp. ancient Judaism) just as it is in the NT. IOW: Lordship Salvation is not simply a NT phenomenon (e.g., The Gospel According To Jesus) Path to this particular paradigm shift: 1) Realizing that Jesus is the Savior of all redemptive history (versus just those under the NC) (e.g., Jud 1:5; Heb 9:15-16)2) Realizing that the soteriological formula used by Him to save people is also the same (i.e., L>S) (Heb 13:8 [Mal 3:6-7]). 2) Recognizing that formula (L>S) throughout both the New a

Christ Covenant Church and her members will no longer identify themselves as Christians or their religion as Christianity. We are instead New Covenant Jews – and our religion, New Covenant Judaism.[1] The following represent the reasons for this change: 1. Jesus did not come to create a new religion (e.g., Christianity) but a new covenant for the already existing and ancient religion of Judaism first established (under the old covenant) at Mt. Sinai. 1.1. (Luk 22:20 w/Jer 31:31) = Not a new religion (e.g., Christianity) but a new covenant for the already existing religion of “the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (i.e., Judaism; hence Luk 24:27 “Moses” and “the prophets” – or the Law and Prophets represent the Scriptures defining the religion of Judaism).[2] (Heb 8:1-13 w/9:10 “reformation” [Grk., diorthosis = To make improvements on something already in existence]) = The author of Hebrews views Jesus’ ministry and covenant as an improvement (“better covenant…better promises”), a reformation versus a re

Worldview (def.,) = What humans express through their religion (loyalty/truth), ethics (values/justice) and culture (identity/beauty) as the answer to the question, “why do we exist?”1. People should reject all forms of Christianity not only because its doctrines are unethical but also its worldview.1.1. There are three main branches of Christianity: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestant/Evangelical Christianity that exist in the world today. All three prove to be completely unethical (and therefore false) w/regard to the following:1.1.1. their doctrines of Trinitarian Monotheism (Joh 8:17-18 “two-witness rule requires the witnesses be separate beings), Original Sin (Eze 18:20; Rom 5 and 7 teach sinful inclination/impulse/drive [not the stain of sin/original sin] was passed on from Adam – which was the popular belief w/in ancient Judaism known as “ha yetzer ha-ra”[Heb.] See W.D. Davies, Paul and Rabbinic Judaism, p.20), Perfectionism and Total Depravity (Deu 28:1 w/30:11-14).1.1.2. their embrace

Worldview (def.,) = What humans express through their religion (loyalty/truth), ethics (values/justice) and culture (identity/beauty) as the answer to the question, “why do we exist?” 1. People should reject all forms of Christianity not only because its doctrines are unethical but also its worldview.1.1. There are three main branches of Christianity: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestant/Evangelical Christianity that exist in the world today. All three prove to be completely unethical (and therefore false) w/regard to the following:1.1.1. their doctrines of Trinitarian Monotheism (Joh 8:17-18 “two-witness rule requires the witnesses be separate beings), Original Sin (Eze 18:20), Perfectionism and Total Depravity (Deu 28:1 w/30:11-14).1.1.2. their embrace of a FAG (i.e., we are ultimately only saved by what God/Christ has done on our behalf) (Eze 33:18-20 w/Rev 20:12) which includes the belief that Christ was punished for our sins (Eze 18:4 w/20; Lev 27:29).1.1.3. their creation of a new religio

1. Anyone having children for personal pleasure is treating them like pets and priming them for apostasy.1.1. One of the most popular reasons people have kids today is because they want to experience heart-warming moments and memories w/them, live vicariously through them and feel some sense of validation or acceptance because of them. Or, if you are too weird and controlling to have real friends, then you have lots of kids whom you force to be your friends and like what you like and do what you do. In either case, these kinds of people are having children for the purpose of serving their selfish personal pleasures. 1.2. This however is not the reason God gave us the ability to have kids - but pets. Pets exist for the purpose of serving our pleasure – but never kids.1.3. The only reason God wants Christians to become parents is the same reason the military has drill sergeants: to transform those kids into battlefield-ready soldiers fiercely loyal to their commander in chief and ready to give their lives for t

Preliminary Considerations:1) What markes understanding the WHY (on this topic) so important?2) Though apostasy is a loss, we need to be very careful to understand that it is not the loss of a lvoed one. It is a loss of betrayal.Why People Go Apostate1 They REFUSE to make God their greatest love. (Lk 14; 1 Pe 1:8; Joh 5:42; Rom 5:1-5)1.1 Three things that lead to apostasy:1.1.1 The things of God become foolishness1.1.2 They don't experience God's guidance in their life.1.1.3 They possess no emotional motivation or help in their obedience.2. They REFUSE to trust the foreign over the familiar. (1 Joh 2:15-18)3) The REFUSE to take seriously the dangers of remaining dumb and discounting sin. (Heb 5:11-6:8; Phi 2:13; Prov 22:3; Phi 1:9; Heb 12:15; Deu 29)Why do they think this way? They don't believe three things:1) They don't believe that sin needs to be mastered before it gets big.2) They don't believe thir sins will end in apostasy.3) They don't believe God takes their sin that serious.Closing Contemplation:If

Equity = Those principles which establish fair treatment for all free will beings (e.g., Exo 20:1-11; 1Co 6:3; Deu 4:5-8, 6:24) 1) One moral lawgiver and law for all (Isa 33:22; Jam 4:12; Deu 4:2 w/5-8; Num 15:16). 2) Free to choose (not free from consequences, Deu 30:19) 3) Everyone gets what their choices/deeds deserve (Psa 28:4, 62:2; Pro 24:12; Isa 3:10-11; Jer 17:10, 21:14, 32:19; Eze 7:27, 18:14-20 w/25-32, 24:14, 33:20; Mat 16:27; Joh 5:29; Rom 2:6; 2Co 5:10; Rev 2:23, 20:12; 22:12; Consider also Pro 18:26; Luk 16:25; Gal 6:7-10; 2Ti 2:11-13; “what goes around comes around”, “you get what you give”). 4) The punishment will fit the person and the crime (Deu 19:21; Luk 12:47-48). 5) No punishment w/o participation (Eze 18:20). 6) No culpability without ability (Luk 12:47-48; Deu 1:39 w/Jon 4:11; Isa 7:15-16, 8:4). 7) No responsibility without competency (Deu 17:8-9; Mat 18:6-7; Rom 12:3-4; Jam 3:1). 8) No punishment w/o evidence beyond a reasonable doubt (Deu 17:6, 19:15). 9) No permissions or prohibitio

Christian Cognitive Dissonance (CCD) = A feeling of distrust toward God as righteous (just and equitable[1]) that occurs when what the Bible teaches conflicts with a desirable situation (e.g., an attractive female unbeliever expresses interest in dating a single Christian male. The Christian finds himself interested and excited. However, when he finds out that God not only prohibits all sexual activity before marriage, but also requires that we practice endogamy, he begins to question whether God – or His laws are righteous). [2] 1. Why are we talking about this subject? 1) Too many Christians are unaware that they suffer from CCD. 2) CCD ranks among the number one reasons people fail to be faithful and eventually go apostate. 2. Why does CCD hinder our ability to be faithful and avoid apostasy? Because loyalty/faithfulness is always a function of trust. IOW: for human beings to loyal or faithful to something or someone, they must first trust them. No one has ever trusted someone or something they believe is

Why study Satan? 1) The Bible identifies Satan as public enemy #1, the greatest adversary (Heb., Satan = Adversary) of all sentient beings – including God. To fight him we need to know him[1] (2Co 2:11).[2] The following profile is based on the conclusions that may be drawn about Satan when considering the teachings of Scripture and traditions of the Ancient Near East (ANE).Distilling what we have learned from studying Satan with some additional conjecture for good measure:1. Satan’s big reveal: Shortly before Jesus’ return, Satan is going to appear in human form and  convince the entire world to unite under his leadership and go to war against Yhwh and the last small vestige of Christ’s churches and devout Jews in Jerusalem that still exist and stand against him (Rev 20:3 [“short time”]w/7-9a “nations which are in the four corners of the earth” = Every nation on earth; “God and Magog” w/Eze 37-39 = The biblical symbol of a world led by one leader and the majority united in fulfilling his evil agenda; “the nu

Why study Satan? 1) The Bible identifies Satan as public enemy #1, the greatest adversary (Heb., Satan = Adversary) of all sentient beings – including God. To fight him we need to know him[1] (2Co 2:11).[2] The following profile is based on the conclusions that may be drawn about Satan when considering the teachings of Scripture and traditions of the Ancient Near East (ANE).CREATION AND PRE-CRIME CAREER 1. Satan was a high ranking, highly elite throne-guardian angel who looks like a fiery winged serpent or dragon and existed as one of several types of elohim created not only before human beings but the construction of our entire universe. CRIMES AND PENALTIES 2. Satan sparked an insurrection not only against God but His high priest Adam, convincing a third of the angel population to follow him in his rebellion.3. The initial punishments suffered by Satan for his double insurrection were threefold: 1) loss of position [as throne guardian], 2) loss of physical form in this world [as a glorious dragon], 3) impri

Why study Satan? 1) The Bible identifies Satan as public enemy #1, the greatest adversary (Heb., Satan = Adversary) of all sentient beings – including God. To fight him we need to know him[1] (2Co 2:11 = Paul’s use of the plural personal pronoun [“we”] when claiming they were “not ignorant” of Satan’s “schemes” implies that he and his pastoral team -and possibly those in the Corinthian church, had received in-depth teaching on Satan’s profile).[2] 2) Satan is no longer incarcerated and mounting a global misinformation/hate campaign against the last vestige of God’s people on earth (Rev 20:1-9). Our ability to prepare ourselves through its identification also demands we endeavor to possess an accurate and thorough profile of his person and history (1Th 2:14-18 w/3:1-4 = Endurance thru diagnosis). The following profile is based on the conclusions that may be drawn about Satan when considering the teachings of Scripture and traditions of the Ancient Near East (ANE).CREATION AND PRE-CRIME CAREER 1. Satan was a hi

Why study Satan? 1) The Bible identifies Satan as public enemy #1, the greatest adversary (Heb., Satan = Adversary) of all sentient beings – including God. To fight him we need to know him[1] (2Co 2:11 = Paul’s use of the plural personal pronoun [“we”] when claiming they were “not ignorant” of Satan’s “schemes” implies that he and his pastoral team -and possibly those in the Corinthian church, had received in-depth teaching on Satan’s profile).[2] 2) Satan is no longer incarcerated and mounting a global misinformation/hate campaign against the last vestige of God’s people on earth (Rev 20:1-9). Our ability to prepare ourselves through its identification also demands we endeavor to possess an accurate and thorough profile of his person and history (1Th 2:14-18 w/3:1-4 = Endurance thru diagnosis). The following profile is based on the conclusions that may be drawn about Satan when considering the teachings of Scripture and traditions of the Ancient Near East (ANE).CREATION AND PRE-CRIME CAREER 1. Satan was a hi