The covenant of redemption is the theological term for the agreement that was made between the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in how they were going to redeem for themselves the elect. This covenant is not mentioned by name in scripture but it is clearly implied that an agreement … Continue reading What is the Covenant of Redemption?
"And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, shed for many." -Mark 14:24 Never did those lips, upon which grace shed its divinest, sweetest fragrance, utter words so precious as these. The language is figurative, but the truth is literal. "This is My blood," or, this cup is the 'emblem' … Continue reading It is the Blood that Saves
This morning I had the privilege of preaching at Bethel Grace Baptist Church. The sermon is one that was heavy, but I pray, in the end, lifts you up. We serve a sovereign God, and any suffering you experience in this life will not be wasted. Often, it is in that valley that you hear … Continue reading The Valley of Achor (Hosea 2:6-15)
This Saturday, February 9, I lost a friend to a motorcycle accident. I met Henry just over 16 years ago working in admissions at Trinity Law School. He came to talk to me because he was interested in attending law school. The day I met him he walked in with the same exuberant smile that … Continue reading In Loving Memory of My Friend, Henry J. Maruyama
The movie Bohemian Rhapsody has hit the theaters to chronicle the life of Freddie Mercury and his untimely death to aids. To reflect on such a life as a believer is sobering. To reflect on the life and death of anyone would do the same, but there seems to be something more significant when … Continue reading Freddie Mercury: A Christian Meditation
Forget not all his benefits. - Psalm 103:2 Jesus, Your benefits are innumerable. They are as infinite as You. You forgive all our iniquities. They are too numerous for us to count, but where sin abounds, Your grace abounds all the more. The wrath we deserve, You bore on the cross. Oh, Father, You heal … Continue reading The Benefits of the Lord
Lord, You are marvelously powerful, and Your power moves in ways unseen to most of us. No grandiose displays of might are needed to move the hearts of men, though they are all around us in nature. It took a hidden call to our hearts. We had built fortresses of wisdom to protect ourselves from … Continue reading Considering Our Calling
https://youtu.be/5lwbqki2RQg With everything going on recently, (Charlottesville, North Korea, Barcelona, etc.) I was happy to preach this past weekend on when sin brings you low. This sermon looks at Micah 7 and explores two ways sin brings us low; from the sin around us to the sin within us. It then looks at the answer … Continue reading When Sin Brings You Low
When God is not at the center of our lives, something else will be. We must examine ourselves to see if we have any pleasant plants we have been tending.
See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. - Colossians 4:7 "Fulfill the Ministry." Paul initially said this to Archippus, but was this a warning or encouragement? Since we do not know much about him, it is hard to tell. Some have suggested that Archippus was the first pastor to the … Continue reading Fulfill the Ministry
The Fight of Faith 