Sermons from July 2022
Hebrews 9:1-10
In Hebrews 9:1-10 the author explains the basics of the ministry of the priests in the tabernacle and shows that the tabernacle ministry points to the ministry of Christ while also indicating that the way to God has not yet been opened. Shadow must give way to substance if the people of God are to approach Him. The levitical ministry also was unable to perfect the worshipper in regard to his conscience. What could not be done in the old…
Matthew 13:31-33
In Matthew 13:31-33 Christ gives the parables of the mustard seed and leaven. In these parables Christ shows that the growth of the kingdom of God is certain even if it appears to be hidden at times. The kingdom of God will start out small, but it will grow until it fills the entire world. This ought to be a comfort to Christians who increasingly find themselves in a world of unbelief.
Hebrews 8:7-13
Jeremiah 31:31-34 is a very important text for understanding the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Pastor Grasso explains the similarities and differences between the two as given in Hebrews 8 and other parts of the New Testament, showing that the New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Old, that the way of salvation was fundamentally the same between the two, and that the New is superior in terms of efficacy.
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
In Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43 Christ gives the parable of the wheat and the weeds, showing that there will always be a mixture of the righteous and the wicked until the last day. The great separation will happen at the judgment when Christ sends forth his angels to gather the wheat into the barn but to reserve the weeds for fire. Such is the warning for all Christians, not to presume salvation based on outward membership and not to expect…
Hebrews 8:1-6
In Hebrews 8:2 the author speaks of Christ as the priest of the true tabernacle, pitched by God, not man. The tabernacle and the temple were instituted by God but constructed by man. The Old Testament speaks of a time when God himself would construct a house for his name and bring His people to dwell with Him there. Christ is the priest of this new tabernacle, serving in heaven itself.
Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35
In Matthew 13:10-17 Christ explains why he speaks to the people in parables. The reason he speaks in parables is both to reveal and conceal truth about the kingdom of God. This shows that the knowledge of the kingdom of God is sovereignly given by Christ. He gives it to his disciples by grace and withholds it from others in justice according to the eternal decree. God’s grace is sovereign and therefore unbelief is part of his plan to the…
Hebrews 8:1-13
In Hebrews 8:1-13 the author speaks of the glory of Christ as our high priest. Having shown that he is the glorious priest after the order of Melchizedek, the author now moves to show how he serves as priest. Whereas the levitical priests served on earth, Christ, as the superior priest, serves in heaven, making a way for the true approach to God.
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
In Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 Christ gives the parable of the sower or the parable of the soils. This is the first of the famous kingdom parables from Matthew 13 given in response to the unbelief recorded in chapters 11-12. Here Christ explains that there will be many who do not respond well to the gospel. Some will be deceived by Satan. Some will fall away after persecution. Some will be choked out by the cares of this world and the…
Hebrews 7:20-28
In Hebrews 7:20-28 the author explains how Christ serves after the order of Melchizedek showing that Christ serves according to the oath of God (vv. 20-22, cf. Ps. 110:4), that he is not limited by death from continuing in office (23-25), and that thus he is not appointed according to weakness but, having made a sacrifice for sins once and for all, he is the true priest after the order of Melchizedek, appointed as the Son perfected forever.
Matthew 12:46-50
In Matthew 12:46-50 Christ’s family comes to see him, however, they come doubting. When told that his family wants to see him, Christ explains that his true family are those who do the will of his Father in heaven are his true family. This is the blessing of the gospel: that though there be many who turn away, those who come to Christ are adopted into the family of God with Christ himself as their elder brother who came to…