Covenant Naples

Sloth may seem like the most harmless of all the seven deadly sins. But Proverbs 18:9 says, "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” Join us to find out what the sin of sloth actually is and why it’s so deadly.

Sermon Outline:
I. The Symptoms of Sloth
1. Refusal to Act
2. Unnecessarily Delaying Action
3. Unwillingness to Make a Commitment
4. Inability to Finish Something
5. Chronic Busyness
II. The Underlying Cause of Sloth
III. The Cure for Sloth

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. As you consider the text of Numbers 13, why do you think the Israelites refused to go in and take the land that God had promised? How do you see these same issues at work in your life keeping you from going forward to have all that Christ died to purchase for you?
2. In what parts of your life are you most tempted to escape or avoid the demands of love?
3. Which of the symptoms of sloth are most apparent in your life?
4. In what part(s) of your life are you hesitant to act because you have a grasshopper mentality and are underestimating what God can do through you?
5. Recognizing that we can be overwhelmed by all of the things we could be doing, what is the one thing God may be calling you to do today out of love for him and love for your neighbor?

This is the sixth sermon in our series, "The Seven Deadly Sins". Today, March 21st, 2021, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from Numbers 13:17-33, entitled "Sloth".

When we consider the seven deadly sins, a sin connected to food just doesn’t seem serious enough to warrant a place on the list. But in this story from Numbers 11, we see the deadly power of our cravings for food. Come and discover how this deadly sin is already at work in your life, but also how the work of Jesus is greater still.

Sermon Outline:
I. The Heart of Gluttony
II. The Symptoms of Gluttony
III. The Cure for Gluttony

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Before hearing or reading this sermon, how conscious were you of the spiritual implications and causes of gluttony? Do you think this is a blind spot for 21st century Americans?
2. As we’ve seen, there are many shapes gluttony can take in our lives. Where do you see it most readily in your own heart? Which cravings do you find it most difficult to bring to God for satisfaction?
3. What is your current practice of fasting, and how could a change in that practice help you address the underlying causes of gluttony?
4. What are some of the differences between legitimate feasting, which the Bible approves and illegitimate gluttony which the Bible condemns?
5. How does the good news from John 6 about Jesus being the true bread from heaven ultimately deliver us from the tyranny of our inordinate desires surrounding food?

This is the fifth sermon in our series, "The Seven Deadly Sins". Today, March 14th, 2021, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from Numbers 11:1-15, 31-35​ entitled "Gluttony".

The great challenge of wrath is that it always feels justified, even when it’s not. Anger will want you to believe that you are in control, but really you are just hanging on for the ride. How can make sure that our anger doesn’t carry us away into destructive wrath?

Sermon Outline:
I. When You’re Angry, Make Sure You’ve Got the Right-Of-Way
II. When You’re Angry, Obey All Stop Signs
III. When You’re Angry, Exit As Soon As Possible

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Do you tend to be the kind of person who gets angry too fast, or the kind of person who stays angry for too long? If you’re married, this is a great question to discuss with your spouse.
2. How can you distinguish between anger that is right and good, and anger that is sinful?
3.Are you angry about something someone has done that you are not willing to overlook and also not willing to confront? How should you handle this biblically?
4. Have you embraced the forgiveness that God offers to you through a relationship with Christ? In light of that, are you now willing to extend that forgiveness to others?

This is the fourth sermon in our series, "The Seven Deadly Sins". Today, March 7th, 2021, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from 1 Samuel 25:1b-39​ entitled "Wrath".

Envy is perhaps the most puzzling of the seven deadly sins in that it seems to offer nothing in return for the misery it brings. And yet, each one of us struggles with it to varying degrees. Don’t let envy enslave you in madness, but discover how Jesus has set you free!

Sermon Outline:
I. The Roots of Envy.
II. The Fruits of Envy.
III. The Cure for Envy.

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Consider who it is that you presently envy, or where you find yourself tempted to compare with others. What does this tell you about yourself?
2. Do you find it difficult to confess when you are feeling envious? Why do you think that is?
3. Where have you seen the destructive effects of envy in your own life or someone close to you? Given how personally destructive envy is, why do you suppose we allow this sin to remain in our lives?
4. Why is it impossible for us to envy someone we truly love in the biblical sense?
5. How does the gospel enable us to have hearts full gratitude, contentment, and love rather than envy?

This is the third sermon in our series, "The Seven Deadly Sins". Today, February 28th, 2021, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from 1 Samuel 18:6-16​ entitled "Envy".

From the days of the garden of Eden to the present, greed has been a prominent wart on the end of the nose of our sinful human condition. And though we can see it in others, we seem to have no mirror with which to see it in ourselves. As we consider the case of Gehazi, we discover the diagnosis and the cure for the deadly sin of greed.

Sermon Outline:
I. The Diagnosis of Greed
1. Greed grows on discontent, ingratitude, and fear
2. Greed is focused on getting
3. Greed views people as objects to be used
4. Greed is a root from which many other sins grow
5. Greed fails to see the endgame
II. The Cure for Greed

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income.” Why do you think that is?
2. What does greed promise us that makes it so attractive and tempting?
3. Where have you seen the power of greed at work in your own life? Where do you feel most tempted?
4. How do contentment, gratitude, and generosity all strike at the heart of greed?
5. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” How does God’s promise enable us to experience contentment and freedom from the love of money?

This is the second sermon in our series, "The Seven Deadly Sins". Today, February 21st, 2021, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from 2 Kings 5:9b-27​ entitled "Greed".

Pride cannot be healed except through humility: Christ’s humility for us displayed at the cross to reconcile us to God and to free us from the power of pride that we might humble ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.

Sermon Outline:
11:50​ = I. The Diagnosis of Pride
36:50​ = II. The Cure for Pride

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. Some say that pride is the root of every other sin. Do you agree or disagree and why?
2. How does pride blind us and keep us from giving God the glory for our accomplishments? Do you think there is any place for a Christian to take a sense of pride in a job well done
3. Perhaps the worst form of pride is spiritual pride. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Whenever we find that our religious life is
4.How does the gospel message about what Jesus has done for us apply to the sin of pride?
5. Historically, the sin of pride is associated with Psalm 32. Read and meditate upon this psalm this week as you humbly ask the Lord to search your heart and expose your pride.

This is the first sermon in our series, "The Seven Deadly Sins". Today, February 14th, 2021, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from 2 Kings 5:1-19​ entitled "Pride".

In the world, grace is something you must grow into, something you must earn because you’re good. Good people get grace; bad people get cancelled. But the church is a counterculture. Here, no one grows into grace, but having received it freely as a gift, we make every effort to grow in it.

Sermon Outline:

I. Grace is the Foundation of our Growth

II. Grace is the Shape of Our Growth

III. Grace is the Fuel of our Growth


Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. What is the difference between “growing in grace” and “growing into grace”? Which one reflects the good news of the gospel?

2. If grace is the foundation (rather than the reward) of our growth in godliness, wouldn’t this make us complacent in the Christian life? Why or why not?

3. If we’re unfruitful and ineffective as Christians, what is the fundamental problem? What is the solution?

4. Which of the seven qualities listed in verses 5-7 are you feeling the greatest need to grow in? How can you pursue that growth?

This is the last sermon in our series, "Counter Culture". Today, February 7thst, 2020, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from 2 Peter 1:3-11 entitled " Growing in Grace".

We want to be a church, following the example of Christ, that reaches out in mercy to the lost in our families, community and world.

Sermon Points:
- Reaching Out
- In Mercy

Questions for discussion:
Since we are not Jesus, is it not dangerous for us to spend time with sinners? Will we not be spiritually compromised?
In this passage, is Jesus implying that the Pharisees are healthy and not in need of salvation?
How is it that Matthew followed Jesus after the simple invitation: “Follow me”?
In your social circles, who are the people that it would be scandalous to be seen with?
What does it mean: “I desire mercy and not a sacrifice?” What is wrong with a sacrifice?
What does the term ‘righteous’ mean in the context of verse 13?

This is the fourth sermon in our series, "Counter Culture". Today, January 31st, 2020, Brent Whitefield delivers his sermon from Matthew 9:9-13 entitled " Reaching Out in Mercy".

In a time when everyone is encouraged to pursue their own truth, the church is called to be a counterculture that lives by the truth revealed in God’s Word.

Sermon Outline:
I. What it Means to Be Committed to the Word?
II. Why Are We Committed to the Word?
III. How Can I Be More Committed to the Word?

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. What parts of the Bible are you most inclined to cut out, either literally or just practically?
2. When it comes to knowing, obeying, and spreading God’s Word, which do you find to be the easiest for you, and which is the most challenging?
3. Where have you seen a place in your life where you were dwelling in spiritual darkness or ignorance and God enlightened you through his Word?
4. When it comes to reading, believing, obeying, and sharing God’s Word, which one does it feel like God may be prompting you to step into more fully? How do you suppose you can do that this week practically?

This is the third sermon in our series, "Counter Culture". Today, January 24th, 2020, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from 2 Peter 1:16-21 entitled " Committed to the Word".

The world advances its agenda through great ideas, human wisdom, strategic planning, and resourcing. While there is nothing wrong with those things inherently, the church must advance differently. Find out what it means to be dependent on the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Outline:
I. Who is the Holy Spirit?
II. What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
III. What Does Dependence on the Holy Spirit Look Like?

Sermon Discussion Questions:
1. How would you know if you were living your life independent of the Holy Spirit rather than dependent on the Holy Spirit?
2. Do you think it is easier or harder for a Church like Covenant to depend on the Holy Spirit than it is for a church under persecution or without access to financial resources? What makes dependence so difficult?
3. Of the twelve ministries of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the sermon, which one(s) are you most grateful for today? Which one are you inclined to forget?
4. Pastor Trent mentioned five manifestations of a church that is living in dependence on the Holy Spirit. What are some other evidences that a person or church is dependent on the Spirit?
5. Will you earnestly consider joining us for the Frontline Prayer meetings beginning this Wednesday at 5:30?

This is the second sermon in our series, "Counter Culture". Today, January 17th, 2020, Trent Casto delivers his sermon from John 16:7​-15 entitled "Counter Culture: Dependent on the Holy Spirit".