// Covenant Family Church

If God wants to do something, he does it. The desire and decree of God are one and the same. God does all His holy will. Atonement=The reconciliation between God and man, brought about by Christ. The mediator=The one who restores peace. Christ actively gave his life for His people. Paul, appointed a herald of the gospel. Our responses: awe at the outworking of God’s redemption purposes, thanksgiving by giving our hearts to Christ, praise for His sovereign, holy, omnipotent desire and decree.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:5-7

This is a key question in theology that has oftentimes confused and separated evangelical Christians—for whom did Christ die? Three answers have been proposed by various Bible teachers over the centuries. These are,

(1) Christ died on the cross for all people, actually saving all of them (Universal Salvation or a Universalism)

(2) Christ died on the cross for all people, potentially saving those who freely believe in him by faith (Universal Redemption or a General Atonement)

(3) Christ died on the cross for all types of people, truly saving only his Elect (Particular Redemption or a Definite Atonement)

Problems abound with the first two proposals: For example, we know by experience that all people are not saved, because many go to their death rejecting the claims of Christ. Plus, the Bible clearly teaches that there will be a Judgment Day and that unbelievers will be sent to Hell. Secondly, if Jesus died on the cross for all people, potentially saving those who freely believe in him by faith, then salvation is ultimately accomplished by a human work rather than solely by the grace of God which is contrary to John 1:12-13; Rom. 3:21-26; Eph. 2:8-10; and Titus 3:5-7. This logic, then, inexorably leads us to the third proposal which teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all types of people. In other words, he died only for his Elect who can be found in every tribe, tongue, and nation. Our response should be one of awe, thanksgiving, and praise for our sovereign God!

Text: Ephesians 5:22-33
Guest Preacher: Pastor Jeff Yelton

One of God’s greatest gifts to mankind is government. Whenever men and women are gathered together in a community, they need a government. So, we experience many kinds of government in our everyday lives. We are under federal, state, and county governments. Even our families have a kind of government, since someone must make decisions, and others must submit to them. Churches also have governments. Just as the Bible has a great deal to teach us about civil governments and the government of the family, so the Bible teaches us about the form of church government that is pleasing to God.

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Text: Exodus 3:1-14

What does the Bible teach us about the worship of God? Especially that worship that is refreshing, redeeming, and restorative. literally, the word “worship” means (in Hebrew: shadchah) “to fall down in adoration, to kneel, to bow low, fall at another’s feet”; (in Greek: proskuneo) “make obeisance, reverence”. Our Old English word “worthship” means “the attention you give to one who is worthy, to show honor, dignity, reverence.” There are a great number of passages in the Bible that we might learn from. But, this passage from the book of Exodus is significant because it teaches us a good deal of helpful information about what God expects from us in our worship of Him.

“Then he said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground’.” Exodus 3:5

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There are certain duties Christians have. Prayer is one: on a regular daily basis. It takes determination, desire, and effort. You have to do something to make prayer a part of your life. Reverence before God. Bowing yourself before the Lord in humility. Making petitions because of your own or another lacks. What does “All” mean? “All types of people”—the Jews andthe Gentiles. One of the great benefits of prayer is resting before God: peace and tranquility in life. He rejoices as we submit ourselves to Him.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

There are some Christians who strongly contend that it is improper to pray for the lost. They rigidly surmise that since God will only save his elect, there is no need for the Christian to pray evangelistically. They reason, “Why waste time praying for the lost; it will make no difference anyways.” Now, it is certainly true that God will save only his elect, but it is also equally clear that no human being knows the identity of God’s elect. Therefore, we should pray that god would make that person—who seems so completely lost—into a trophy of grace. Moreover, our Lord commands his disciples to pray “for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-45), and to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38). The Apostle Paul also urges fellow Christians to pray for “all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Therefore, I strongly disagree with those brethren who teach that we shouldn’t waste our time praying for the lost. It is our duty to pray. In addition, we can thankfully affirm that God accomplishes his ends through the use of means–even our prayers. The Larger Catechism summarizes our obligation to pray, by teaching:

Q. 183: For whom are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.

Q. 184: For what things are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God, the welfare of the church, our own or others’ good; but not for anything that is unlawful.

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