// Covenant Family Church

Deuteronomy 5:11 December 27, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

Bible Text:
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Deuteronomy 5:11

Introduction:
Many Christians are exposed to blasphemous remarks directed against our Lord on a daily basis. Whether it may be at work with the cursing of a co-worker, at a family celebration with an uncouth relative, or in your own home with a movie or book containing some profanity, people wrongly pepper their language with expletives taking the name of our Lord in vain and many Christians simply put-up with it. The sad reality is that even some Christians struggle in this area of sin, either by accepting a bad habit or from a lack of self-control. The key questions that surround the 3rd Commandment are these: (1) What is the meaning behind a name, and especially the Lord’s name? (2) What does the Bible mean when it forbids taking the Lord’s name in vain? (3) What is the result when the Lord’s name is taken in vain? The always instructive Westminster Confession of Faith gives us the following practical advice:

The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence. Therefore, to swear vainly, or rashly, by that glorious and dreadful Name; or, to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred. Yet, as in matter of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament as well as under the Old; so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority in such matters ought to be taken. (WCF, Chapter XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows, Art. 2)

The Main Point of this Sermon:

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

1. What is the Meaning behind a Name, and Especially the Lord’s name?
2. What does the Bible Mean when it Forbids taking the Lord’s Name in Vain?
3. What is the Result when the Lord’s Name is taken in Vain?

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Deuteronomy 5:8-10
December 13, 2009
Pastor Marcus J. Serven
Covenant Family Church

It is not too difficult to think of the differing types of idols that have been built by religious people throughout the history of the world. We have seen pictures in various books, or perhaps we have even seen these idols in person. The Bible teaches that idolatry is a stumbling block for all human beings. Calvin emphatically stated “that man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” (Institutes 1:11:8) Our very hearts, which by sin are opposed to God, seek to direct our worship towards someone other that the living, holy and eternal God. The Israelites battled the sin of idolatry all throughout their national history, and in the end they fell under God’s severe judgment because of it. Christians, likewise, must guard against idolatry or they and their posterity will suffer the awful consequences! Our Confession exhorts us in the following way,

I. The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and does good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture. (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXI “Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day“, Article 1)

The Main Point of this Sermon:

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

1. The Commandment, (vs. 8 )

4. The Reward, (vs. 10)

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“The 1st Commandment: No Other Gods”

Deuteronomy 5:5c-7 December 6, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

A few weeks ago we began our study of the Ten Commandments by setting forth some preliminary principles. One of those was to take note of the basic structure of the Law of God: (1) the Moral Law—which is Ten Commandments; (2) the Ceremonial Laws—which are a “type” or “shadow” pointing towards the Messiah; they are fulfilled through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and (3) the Civil Laws—which are the “case law” that applies the Ten Commandments to particular problems in Ancient Israel; the principles of the “case laws” are still to be lived out in society today (cf. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 19 “Of the Law of God”). It is important to keep this basic structure in mind as we now come to the foremost of the commandments—the very 1st Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Deut. 5:7).

The Main Point of this Sermon:

“You shall not go after other gods…for the LORD your God…is a jealous God…” Deuteronomy 6:14-15

1. Its Imposing Author, (vs. 5c)

2. Its Redemptive Nature, (vs. 6)

3. Its Exclusive Claim, (vs. 7)

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“A Summary of the Ten Commandments”

Mark 12:28-34 November 29, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

As chronicled in the Old Testament the Jewish people had lost sight of the fundamental relationship that they had with the Lord. They had been lured away from actually knowing the living God to only knowing about God. Instead of whole-heartedly giving themselves to God in loving submission, they had been deceived by false religious teachers into thinking that animal sacrifices excused them from their sin and made them righteous before God. They delighted in symbols, shadows, and types, rather than in God himself. In the midst of this dark period of history, however, God’s witness amongst the people was not totally extinguished. God had given them the Scriptures (the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms), and he would also send his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ gave new meaning to the greatest commandment, because here was a man who fulfilled the law by living it out perfectly (Mt. 5:17-20, 48).

The Main Point of this Text:

“Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

1. The Crucial Question, (vs. 28)

2. The Precise Answer, (vs. 29-31)

3. The Complimentary Response, (vs. 32-33)

4. The Stunning Declaration, (vs. 34)

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“A Preview of the Ten Commandments” (Part 2)

Deut. 5:1-6; Matt. 5:17-20 November 22, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

The Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, has always been a very controversial document. The Israelites welcomed these moral standards, but then went right out and violated them! In Jesus’ time they were mistakenly seen as a means of salvation and right-standing before our holy God (works-righteousness). In our own day the Ten Commandments are rejected by some as being antiquated (antinomianism) and are emphasized by others with a legalistic zeal (hypernomianism). Just what is the serious Christian to think of the Ten Commandments? Should you ignore them? Should you heed them? Answers to these questions are found in the both the Old Testament (Deut. 5:1-5) and in the New Testament (Matthew 5:17-20). Therefore, let us examine all that God has said so that we might honor, obey, and please Him.

The Main Point of this Text:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17

5. Satisfaction, (Matt. 5:17)

6. Endurance, (Matt. 5:18)

7. Warnings, (Matt. 5:19a)

8. Blessings, (Matt. 5:19b)

9. Perfection, (Matt. 5:20)

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Sermon by Conrad Cheatham

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Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Throughout the Old Testament there are several individuals who are referred to by the noble title “Man of God”—Moses, David, Elijah, Elisha, and various lesser known prophets (e.g. 1 Kings 13:1-26). Thus, when Paul uses this same term to refer to Timothy it communicates his very high regard for the young pastor. Paul, though, is not trying to flatter Timothy, instead he trying to exhort and encourage him to persevere in his pursuit of “godliness”. This same word of exhortation and encouragement could surely be given to all disciples of Jesus Christ regardless of gender—whether they are a man or woman (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Nevertheless, in this passage it seems to address those men who serve as spiritual leaders; in other words those men who are responsible for the spiritual welfare of others (e.g. pastors, teachers, missionary/evangelists, elders, deacons, husbands, and fathers).

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Text: 1st Timothy 6:6-10

What should the attitude of the Christian be towards money? Well, it is certainly one of the necessary things of life that is used to purchase food, clothing, transportation, shelter, and services of various kinds. It is also used to bless others by meeting their needs. Moreover, we are commanded by God to regularly bring our tithe into the Lord’s house and thereby receive his blessing. Yet, we should also know that money can be a temptation, and snare and a pathway that leads to our own destruction. Jesus warned his disciples “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24). And so, we would do well to take Jesus’ admonition to heart and resolve by God’s grace to practice generosity, learn Christian contentment, and rejoice in God’s promises–of these actions God greatly approves!

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Text: Psalm 121:1-8

Every year each Israelite male was required by the Lord to make three pilgrimages to Jerusalem; for Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (see Exodus 23:14-17, 34:22-24; and Deuteronomy 16:16-17). As Israel’s borders grew it became very difficult to make these lengthy journeys, and so it was customary for the people from the outlying areas to go Jerusalem only once a year. The Law did not require women and children to make this arduous trip, however in many devout households all family members would go. You may remember that the Lord Jesus went on one of these pilgrimages when he was a young boy (see Luke 2:41-51). The route to Jerusalem could be filled with adventure and danger. But, when the hills of Jerusalem came into view the pilgrim’s hope would rise to the point of great expectation and joy! In this Psalm there are lessons for each of us—in how we deal with adversity, in how we prepare to worship our God, and in how the Lord keeps us safe throughout the pilgrimage we all make to the heavenly Jerusalem.

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1 Timothy 6:3-5

If you know your Bible well, then you can spot a false teacher by his doctrinal aberrations and irregularities (cf. Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1-6; 2 Peter 2:1-22; and Jude 4, 8-16). But what sort of marks does the false teacher manifest in his character? Apparently, the Apostle Paul was concerned that Timothy, the young pastor, and the church in Ephesus might not be able to spot a false teacher until it was too late and the damage had already been done! In this particular passage Paul identifies certain marks in a man’s character that Timothy should watch out for. These seven marks are as true today as they were back then. Let us resolve, then, to learn these for our own protection, as well as for the protection of our young adults and little children.

The Main Point of this Passage:

“He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce…constant friction” 1 Timothy 6:4-5

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