Covenant Sermons

None are available at this time.

None are available at this time.

We have more denominations today than ever before. Many things can endanger a church, but internal fighting and division is one of the worst.

New Testament Scriptures on Unity: 1 Cor. 1:10, 12:12-13, 14, 2 Cor. 13:11, Acts 2:42-47, 4:32, Gal. 3:28, Jn. 13:25, Rom. 6:5, 12:10, 16, 18, 14:1, 19, 15:5-6, Matt. 18:19-20, 23:8, Col. 3:13-17, Eph. 4:2-6, 11-13, 14, 16, 1 Pet. 3:8, Rom. 12:16, Tit. 3:10-11

Christian unity is something that Paul was very passionate about…so was Jesus! John 17:21: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one.”
This is what Paul wants for the Philippians (Phil. 1:27).

The Basis of Christian Unity—Verse 1
In light of the blessings of salvation we enjoy in Christ, this changes the way we relate to others.
• What we share in common with Christ is far more important than what we disagree on!
• At the end of the day, it’s the essentials of the gospel that hold us together and our shared faith that really matters!
• Deferring to other believers in matters of secondary importance is actually a sign of maturity, not weakness!

The Marks of Christian Unity—Verse 2
Christian unity means the church is moving together as one body to
advance the Kingdom. Unity is like an orchestra.
• Uniformity (loss of individuality) is everybody playing the same
instrument.
• Unity is everybody looking at the same sheet music and the same conductor!
• When Jesus becomes the most important thing in the room, the
differences that divide us become the smallest thing (Heb. 12:2).

None are available at this time.

None are available at this time.

None are available at this time.

None are available at this time.

None are available at this time.

None are available at this time.

Introduction:

***It is our natural human instinct to want to hide our sin from God (ex. Adam) but true joy and rest is found ONLY in confession and forgiveness.

In Psalm 32, David presents us with three different hiding places for human soul.

1.     Hiding FROM God (vs 3-4)

a.      As long as he kept silent, David was an emotional/physical wreck!

b.     The best years of his life were wasting away!

c.      He became extremely irritable!

d.     God relentlessly pursued him/disrupting his life until he repented!

e.      We can’t stay hiding forever and live! Sooner or later, we have to come out!

2.      Hiding NOTHING from God (vs 5)

a.      When David finally uncovered his sin, God covered it with his forgiveness!

b.     David received this forgiveness instantly!

                                                             i.      But here’s the condition – that he not just confess his sins…but that he also turn to God in faith and receive forgiveness.

                                                           ii.      Confession alone is not enough / we need a better place to hide!

3.     Hiding IN God (vs 7)

a.      Col 3:3 – your life is now “hidden” with Christ in God.

b.     This is our new reality and it’s the best place to hide!!

Why would we settle for these other hiding places?