// 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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Isaiah 9:1-7 December 20, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

Think about it—how many times have you not fulfilled a promise that you have made? Perhaps, you could even make a compelling excuse for not fulfilling a particular promise; (i.e.) the circumstances changed; things didn’t turn out like you first expected; you didn’t intend to fail in keeping the promise, etc. But, be honest now, if you were on the receiving end of an unfulfilled promise, wouldn’t you be upset? Sure you would! However, when the promise is fulfilled, there is great joy! The LORD made significant promises in the Bible regarding the coming of a Messiah: He promised that the “seed” of the woman would give the “serpent’s seed” a mortal wound (Genesis 3:15); He said that the royal “scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10); and, He said that the Messiah would come from the kingly line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-17). All these promises seem believable enough, but when you get to the promise of the Messiah as reported by Isaiah the Prophet, it seems unbelievable. How could a mere human child be called “Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”? It is impossible! But God clearly fulfilled His messianic promise in sending forth his eternal Son, and that person is Jesus Christ (Psalm 2:7; John 1:1-18).

The Promise Concerning…

1. His Fame, (vs.1-5)
2. His Name, (vs.6)
3. His Reign, (vs.7)

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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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“A Preview of the Ten Commandments” (Part 1)

Deut. 5:1-6; Matt. 5:17-20 November 15, 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:

“Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the rules that I speak in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and be careful to do them.” Deut. 5:1

1. Obedience, (Deut. 5:1)

2. Covenant, (Deut. 5:2-3)

3. Mediation, (Deut. 5:4-5)

4. Authority, (Deut. 5:6)

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“The Mystery of Marriage”

Ephesians 5:31-33 November 8, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

With the large number of marriages that end in divorce, it seems reasonable to question the entire institution of matrimony. Some might say, “Why even bother with it?” However, as Christians we must remember that God is the One who instituted marriage between a man and a woman. The Bible teaches that God established marriage for three reasons: (1) for lifelong companionship, (2) for the bringing-up of children, and (3) for instructing us in self-sacrifice. Thus, there was and is a divine intent for marriage, and this truth should cause us to reflect upon its benefits and blessings. This particular passage (cf. Ephesians 5:31-33) is one of the most revealing in the Bible, because it shows us the what, the why, and the how of marriage. Therefore, let us resolve as Christians to contemplate upon God’s intent for marriage, and then to apply these truths to our own marriage relationship.

The Main Point of this Text:

“This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:32

1. The What—An Unbreakable Love, (vs. 31)

2. The Why—An Uncommon Love, (vs. 32)

3. The How—An Unreserved Love, (vs. 33)

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“Handling Truth”

1 Timothy 6:20-21 November 1, 2009

Pastor Marcus J. Serven

Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

Here at the end of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he gives one final sweeping exhortation to the youthful pastor of Ephesus. Paul strongly urges him to “guard the deposit entrusted unto you” (vs. 20). By this phrase Paul means that Timothy must courageously defend the Gospel from all attackers and despisers. This is a tall order for such a young man, but evidently Paul is confident that Timothy can accomplish this very thing. In his following letter Paul instructs Timothy in how to accomplish this goal (2 Timothy 2:15):

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

In this one sentence Paul reveals an extremely important method for gaining expertise in the Bible—you must constantly read it and thoroughly study it! Only in this way will you understand and appreciate the truths that you must contend for, by serious reading and reflection. With God’s help let us do it!

The Main Point of this Text:

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.” 1 Timothy 6:20a

1. One Gospel to Defend, (vs. 20a)

2. Two Behaviors to Avoid, (vs. 20b)

3. Three Examples of Apostasy, (vs. 21a)

4. Four Ways of Handling the Truth, (vs. 21b)

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“Handling Treasure”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 October 18, 2009
Pastor Marcus J. Serven
Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)

In a previous portion of his letter Paul warns Timothy about the devastating consequences of loving and pursuing money (6:6-10). Those who “desire to be rich”, he says, will fall “into a snare”. He does not say that all riches are inherently evil, but that the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”. Christians, therefore, should learn to be content with what God has given them and not be overly desirous of becoming rich. Now in this passage Paul addresses the question of how those who are already rich should handle their treasure. There were people in the Bible who were very rich—Job, Abraham, Solomon, Lydia, and Philemon. No doubt, each one of them would testify that riches are not a pathway to true happiness. And so, if you are rich—in that you possess more money than what is required for the essentials of life—then how do you handle those riches? Listen to Paul’s counsel…

The Main Point of this Passage:
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them…to set their hopes…on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

1. A Danger to Avoid, (vs. 17a)
2. A Promise to Enjoy, (vs. 17b)
3. A Duty to Fulfill, (vs. 18)
4. A Prospect to Consider, (vs. 19a)
5. A Delight to Anticipate, (vs. 19b)

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