Covenant of Grace OPC Oxnard Podcast

Luke1:1-4:”A Short Story About the Great Story”

Throughout the Scriptures we are reminded that God's people are engaged in spiritual conflict with our enemy and adversary, Satan. Yet, so often, we bring frustration and discouragement upon ourselves by living as if the only things that matter are those things that may be seen and felt. But Scripture corrects us and reminds us that we must live by faith and not on mere appearances. This morning, ask your Lord to give you the true and greater vision of His Kingdom and His glory. Then give Him the praise of which He is worthy. 

Luke 2:41-52: ”The Obedient Son”

Luke 2:1-20: ”Today!”

Here is the movement of the Christmas story: glory forsaken (Jesus), glory liberated (our self-glory), glory restored (our living for the glory of God). The Son of Glory came to fight our glory battle so that we would be freed from our bondage to any other glory but the glory of God. May your celebration today be bigger and deeper than awesome Christmas decorations, wonderful Christmas food, and cool Christmas gifts. May you glory in the real glory of this season. May you celebrate your glory liberation while you recognize your need for further freedom, and may you remember your Savior. His humiliation is your liberation. 

                                                                 Paul David Trip

Luke 1:46-55: ”Joy in the Mighty One”

Heidelberg Catechism #1

1.	Q.	What is your only comfort in life and death?
	A.	That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,  to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.  He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,  and has set me free from all the power of the devil.  He also preserves me in such a way  that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;  indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.  Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life  and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Luke 2:21-38: The Promised Comfort

 "Thankfully, we don't have to persevere alone. God has surrounded us with a hopeful company: his beloved church. By their example and exhortation, the members of our local churches become a cloud of witnesses pointing to Jesus. As we read God's Word together, we grow in our knowledge of the Redeemer. As we sing songs of praise, our hearts are lifted to the One who is worthy. As we share stories of God's grace, we look for the Spirit's work in the unseen places of our own hearts. Week after week, our fellow believers testify that this world is not all there is, and they remind us that the people of God have always lived for another world entirely. In the company of the church, we focus on Christ."                                       Megan Hill "A Hopeful Company"

Romans 12:14-17: Bless the World part 2

Rev. Joshua Martin brings part 2 of his message on Romans 12

Rom.12:14-17: Bless the World: part 1 by Rev. Joshua Martin

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Rom. 12

Luke 1:5-25: ”From Barrenness to Blessing”

We need to remember that when we are in the distress of affliction, it's not always because of personal sin. When we do suffer, we should resist the temptation to ask what did I do to deserve this? Instead, we should say to ourselves, "Recognizing my place in God's providence, how may I glorify Him in this?"

Psalm 130: ”The Right Kind of Fear”

Supplemental texts: Isaiah 11:1-5; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1, Mark 4:35-41

Pastor Mueller preached this sermon on Nov. 7, 2021. Not posted until the 14th

Ephesians 6:21-24:”Openness about Me and You”

The Apostle Paul helps us understand how we should see ourselves in Christ Jesus.