Covenant Naples

What does it mean to believe in the holy, universal church? God has called his people out of darkness and into light, uniting us through the spirit across time and space, and he desires for his church to be holy as he is holy. This week, Pastor Chris will take a look at 1st Corinthians 1:2 as we see God’s design for his true church.

Questions:
How have you thought about the church before and what about Paul’s teaching on the church helped you clarify those beliefs?

What does the identity of the church as holy and universal, founded on the teaching of the apostles with Christ as the cornerstone, mean for missions?

What tangible ways this week can you express the unity and communion that you have with the saints?

This is the sixth sermon in the series "I Believe", today, August 1st, 2021, Pastor Chris Voorhees delivers his sermon entitled "The Holy Universal Church" based on 1st Corinthians 1:2

There has always been a lot of mystery around the person of the Holy Spirit. Do you know what you’re talking about, who you’re talking about, when you say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit”? Join us as we discover and delight in the Holy Spirit!

Sermon Outline:
I. The Holy Spirit in Creation.
II. The Holy Spirit in Israel.
III. The Holy Spirit in Prophecy.
IV. The Holy Spirit in Jesus.
V. The Holy Spirit in Us.

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Prior to this message, what first came to your mind when you thought about the Holy Spirit? What about now after listening to the message?

2. How does a person receive the Holy Spirit? (See Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:2; John 7:38-39)

3. Read Galatians 5:16-25. What does it look like practically to walk by the Spirit? How can you know if you’re keeping in step with the Spirit?

4. Read what the apostle Paul says about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. On what basis does God give gifts to people? For what purpose does God give these various manifestations of the Spirit?

5. Read Ephesians 5:15-21. What can we learn from the contrast between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirt? What is the relationship between being filled with the Spirit and the various activities listed in verses 19-21?

This is the fifth sermon in the series "I Believe", today, July 25th, 2021, Pastor trent Casto delivers his sermon entitled "The Holy Spirit" based on Acts 2:1-21.

What does the bible really say about the second coming of Christ and why does it matter? What does the return of Jesus mean for everyone everywhere? Tune in this Sunday to find out!

Questions:

- Have you considered the nature of Jesus return?

-Why do you think we most often hear of and imagine the gentle Jesus of the bible and what difference does that make?

-What does it mean to love the cross and despise the crown of Jesus and how are we to live in light of that?

-What is hell and the false beliefs surrounding it in our culture?

-As a sheep, what is your purpose here on earth?

-What pro-active decisions will you commit to in order to be about reaching the goats?

This is the fifth sermon in the series "I Believe", today, July 18th, 2021, Aaron Dean delivers his sermon entitled "The Second Coming of Christ" based on Matthew 25:31-46.

God the Father exalted His Son through His resurrection, ascension, and enthronement at His right hand. If we have died to sin in humble repentance, we too will be exalted and experience the fullness of life in Him for which we were created.

‘The third day He rose again’

- The resurrection of Christ is the most important event in human history.

- If there is no resurrection, there is no meaningful Christian faith.

- Christ’s resurrection comprehensively changes our perspective.

- Christ’s resurrection carries with it the promise of ours – if we have died to sin.

‘He ascended into heaven’

- The Ascension establishes, beyond any doubt, the universal power and authority of Christ.

- The Ascension clarifies our marching orders.

‘And sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty’

Questions for further study:

What does it mean for us to die to sin?

Why is it essential that the resurrection of Christ be established as an historical fact?

How does Christ’s resurrection guarantee the resurrection of those who are in Him?

What is the relationship between the ascension of Christ and the Great Commission?

Why should we not ‘stand looking into heaven’ as the ascension eyewitnesses did?

What exactly does the term ‘right hand of God” mean?

This is the fourth sermon in the series "I Believe", today, July 11th, 2021, Pastor Brent Whitefield delivers his sermon entitled "Exaltation of Christ" based on Romans 6:1-11.

Ever feel like you’re the star of this movie called life? Anyone ever tell you that you only think about yourself? Wanting to change that, but not sure how? Join us as we consider what it means to believe that Christ was born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried for you.

Sermon Outline:
I. Christ Humbled Himself.


II. Christ Humbled Himself for Me.


III. Christ’s Humiliation Should Humble Me.


Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. When thinking about climbing or descending the ladder, why do you think we’re all more inclined to go up than to go down?

2. Consider the five ways Christ humbled himself in his earthly ministry. Which of the five ways stands out to you most and why?

3. Consider the seven implications of the fact that Christ humbled himself for you. Which of them do you have the hardest time believing?

4. What are some ways that Christ’s humiliation ought to humble you personally? What are some signs in a family or church community that people are believing the gospel more deeply and becoming more humble?

This is the third sermon in the series "I Believe", today, July 4th, 2021, Pastor Trent Casto delivers his sermon entitled "The Humiliation of Christ" based on Philippians 2:1-11.

Who is Jesus Christ? Son of God and His very Word, life and light of men. The only one through whom we receive grace and truth. If you have seen Son, you have seen the Father. Have you seen and received him?

And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary…

Outline

I. Jesus Christ the Son is fully God and fully man.

Jesus is fully God

Because He is God, Jesus does for us what only God can do.

Jesus is fully man.

Because He is man, Jesus does for us what only a man can do.

II. The idea that Jesus Christ is the son of God is the greatest stumbling block to saving faith.

III. To know Jesus Christ is to know God; indeed, it is the only way.

Questions for further study:

What are some examples of things that Christ emptied himself of when he became a man?

Why is it necessary that Christ, in order to save us, be a man?

What is meant by the term ‘word’ (Gr. logos) applied to Christ?

What is the significance of the reference to the ministry of John the Baptist in the Apostle John’s introduction to Christ?

What are the dangers inherent in acknowledging the deity of Jesus Christ without accepting his humanity?

This is the second sermon in the series "I Believe", today, June 27th, 2020, Pastor Brent Whitefield delivers his sermon entitled "Jesus Christ the Son" based on John 1:1-18.

As we finish our series in 2 Corinthians we will see that if we long to experience the presence of God in our lives, then we must pursue genuine Christian community.


Sermon Outline:
I. Some Elements of Christian Community

II. Some Expressions of Christian Community

III. The Source of Christian Community

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Explain what is meant by the statement: “Where there is Christian community, there is God.”

2. Of the five imperatives listed in verse 11, which do you think is the most difficult for churches to practice? Which do you personally find most challenging?

3. What was the “holy kiss” in verse 13 intended to convey? What are some culturally appropriate ways that we can tangibly communicate the same truths to others in our Christian community?

4. Why is a rejection of Christian community a rejection of the heart of God?

5. Looking back across 2 Corinthians, share some ways that this letter has shaped or sharpened your thinking. Spend some time in prayer asking God to continue that good work in you and in our community.

This is the last sermon in the series "God's Strength in Our Weakness", today, June 13th, 2021, Pastor Trent Casto delivers his sermon entitled "Living in Christian Community " based on 2 Corinthians 13:11-14.

As the Apostle Paul prepares to visit the Corinthians for a third time, he encourages them to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith. We are not waiting for a return visit from Paul, but from the Lord Jesus! Examine yourselves. Are you prepared for his return?

Sermon Outline:
I. The Purity of Christ Should Be Pursued in His Churches
II. The Presence of Christ Should Be Evident in His People
III. The Posture of Christ Should be Reflected in His Shepherds

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. How do you feel about the practice of a spiritual self-examination? What has been your practice of this in the past?

2. What is the role of individual church members in the pursuit of the purity of the church? What is the role of the elders in this pursuit?

3. What are the steps of church discipline? (See Matthew 18:15-20) Why is the practice of church discipline necessary?

4. According to the quotes from Thomas Chalmers and 2 Corinthians 3:18, why is it important in the process of self-examination to not only look at our own hearts, but to look to Christ himself?

5. How does Paul’s posture toward the erring members of the church in Corinth before his visit, mirror Christ’s posture toward sinners before his second coming? Are you prepared for Christ’s return?

This is the twenty-seventh sermon in the series "God's Strength in Our Weakness", today, June 6th, 2021, Pastor Trent Casto delivers his sermon entitled "Examine Yourselves " based on 2 Corinthians 13:1-10.

The Corinthians failed to appreciate the authentic ministry they had from the apostle Paul, and with the help of the super-apostles, fell for a less-than-biblical ministry. How can we recognize and appreciate authentic ministry so that we’re not drawn away by imposters?

Sermon Outline:
I. Authentic Ministry is Apostolic in its Nature
II. Authentic Ministry is Sacrificial in its Manner
III. Authentic Ministry is Restorative in its Aim

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think it is that we tend to appreciate least those who serve us most? How can we resist that tendency?
2. Paul writes in 12:14, “…I seek not what is yours but you.” How does this statement reflect Christ’s own heart? Why is this the necessary heart-posture for gospel ministry?
3. Paul lists a series of sins in 12:20 that are not only offensive to God, but destructive of churches. How should shepherds in churches deal with these sins when they show up? Why is it imperative that they do so?
4. In verse 21, Paul is afraid that when he comes he will have to “mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented…” The church in Corinth was full of people who had sinned in significant ways, but that wasn’t the basis of Paul’s mourning. He mourns their lack of repentance. How is the church to deal with those living unrepentantly in sin? What is the aim of such action?
5. If you’re a shepherd in the church, evaluate your own heart and ministry in light of how authentic ministry is described in this passage. Accept the grace of God by confessing and turning from those things contrary God’s intention for us. If you’re not a shepherd, are you doing everything you can to make shepherding you a joy? (Hebrews 13:17)

This is the twenty-sixth sermon in the series "God's Strength in Our Weakness", today, May 30th, 2021, Pastor Trent Casto delivers his sermon entitled "Appreciating Least Those Who Serve Us " based on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21.