Covenant Grace Church

Worry, anxiety and fear are a part of the normal human experience. Paul teaches us that because the Lord is near we can, in response to our fears, learn to rejoice in the Lord and be gracious, call out to God in prayer, and think on the nearness of God, on His character and on His promises. This message was preached by Pastor Gabe Medina on November 27, 2022.

Have you ever thought, ‘My life just isn’t turning out the way I expected it to?’ That was Naomi's perspective when she asked that she be called Mara ("Bitter") rather than Naomi (cheerful). Yet, God was at work through it all. The book of Ruth is about redemption and teaches us about God's overarching plan throughout history and by application in our lives as well. This message was preached by Pastor Jim Newheiser on November 20, 2022.

Conflict in the church is inevitable; however, the Gospel equips us to deal with conflict with one another. The Scriptures are so wonderfully realistic and practical in this area. With the power of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to live out peacemaking principles, forgiveness and restoration is possible. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on November 13, 2022.

Won't believing in salvation by faith alone make us careless about sin in our lives? I mean, if we are saved by Jesus' works, not our own, why do good works? In this passage we see the kind of life the Gospel produces. We'll see that the Gospel is neither legalism nor license, but grace with resurrection power. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on November 06, 2022.

Our default mode is to trust in our own righteousness. Paul warns us in this passage to look out for legalists, to look at Paul's failed attempt at righteousness from the Law and to look at what we gain in Christ. When we are "found in Him" we gain: Righteousness, Relationship, Real Change and ultimately Resurrection. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on October 30, 2022.

God's design for the church is not individualistic in nature. Rather, the church is a family of believers designed to care for one another. In Philippians God gives us examples of how to live out His admonition, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on October 23, 2022.

What does a lived-out faith look like? Paul gives three descriptors. It's a life earmarked by the absence of grumbling (inwardly) and disputing (outwardly). It's a life of holding fast to Christ our anchor and holding out that faith for others to see. And it's a life of rejoicing in God and sharing that joy with one another. This message was preached by Pastor Gabriel Medina on October 16, 2022.

There is nothing Christ commands that we cannot learn to do by the power of the Spirit. Because God is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure, we can enter into this work of sanctification as well. Sanctification then becomes true communion with God. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on October 9, 2022.

Humility is a God-given gift for unity in the body of Christ. In this passage, Paul gives us the motivation for humility, the mind set on humility, the model for humility and the means of humility. This message was preached by Pastor Josh White on October 2, 2022.

What does a life "worthy of the gospel," a life shaped by the gospel look like? It's a life that stands firm, that strives together with other believers in one mind, and a life that is lived fearlessly. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on September 25, 2022.

What did Paul mean when he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." He preferred death not because his life was so horrible but because gaining Christ was so wonderful. Yet he was willing to delay his infinite happiness for other people's eternal happiness. May we imitate Paul as He imitated Christ. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on September 18, 2022.

Paul's joy in the midst of suffering can be ours when we realize our suffering brings the gospel (through us) to people we otherwise would never meet. It emboldens others to share Christ as they see the gospel put on display through our suffering, And the gospel testimony cannot be stopped no matter how messy our circumstances due to suffering. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on September 11, 2022.

In Paul's opening of his letter to the church at Philippi, he was thankful for his partners in ministry, sure of their future and complete sanctification, and full of hope-filled prayer for their ever increasing love for one another in Christ. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on September 4, 2022.

Acts 16:6-40 describes the birth of the Philippian church. It began with three unlikely converts: a religious, moral, wealthy woman; an oppressed demon possessed slave girl; and a rough but honor-driven jailer. All three reveal that the gospel doesn't come "naturally" to anyone but it is for everyone when the Holy Spirit holds the key to one's heart. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on August 28, 2022.

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes observe my ways" (Proverbs 23:26). Parenting is discipleship. It is a call of God to pass on our faith to the next generation. By learning from and depending upon our perfect heavenly Father to lead and guide us, we will, through His power, be equipped to lead and guide the next generation. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on August 21, 2022.

God and the Bible are pro-sex. Within marriage it was God's idea for procreation, as a sign of covenantal oneness and for strengthening the marriage union. Our culture has made it into something it was never intended to be, our identity and turned it into a terrible idol. Rightly understood and enjoyed it is a good gift. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on August 14, 2022.

Every single marriage is at risk of what the Lord warns about in Malachi. And every one of us will benefit from seeing the beautiful covenantal nature of marriage and our beautiful covenantal God who is relentlessly faithful to us. Learn four ways to guard this precious gift of marriage. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on August 7, 2022.

Marriage is designed by God to be a Gospel reenactment. Wives reflect the roll of the church, the body of Christ. Husbands reflect the head of that body, Christ. Union with Jesus Christ and abiding in Him is the secret strength in marriage. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on July 24, 2022.

What is marriage? There are many ways to answer this question, but Genesis 2:18-25 focuses in on marriage as a friendship first and foremost. In addition, marriage is a shared mission to extend God's kingdom through our ordinary families. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on July 17, 2022.

Friendship is a human need, given as a gift by God. We were not only created to experience friendship with God, but also with one another. Our friendships have the power to shape us and friendship is also an art to be practiced. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on July 10, 2022.

Work is part of God's original, untainted, created order, a gift designed to bless others and glorify God. Work is not a curse but became cursed after the fall. Yet Christ, through the cross and His resurrection came to redeem our work. Through Him and the work He gives us, we can love and serve our God, love and serve our neighbor, and look to the future with hope. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on July 3, 2022.

God's generous design of male and female, friendship and marriage, sex and family, seems almost completely lost on our culture. But in every one of these areas we have good news to rediscover. And they all point to the greatest of all news: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on June 26, 2022.

Peter failed miserably and visibly. Because of that, he serves as a great tutor to point us to the grace of Jesus Christ. We need that grace each and every day. This message was preached by pastor Marcelo Tolopilo on June 19, 2022.

Because our lives are full of sin, they should also be full of repentance. Our God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance. Psalm 51 helps us to call upon the character of God, confess and ask for forgiveness, and then be able to rejoice and speak of God's goodness. This message was preached by Gabe Medina on June 12, 2022.

We all have a thirst that only God can satisfy. On the cross Jesus experienced the thirst that belongs to all those who reject God. He was the rock struck to give us living water. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me [Jesus] and drink." What prevents you from coming and receiving the promised Holy Spirit? This message was preached by Erick Cobb on June 5, 2022.

The Ascension reminds us that Jesus—the God Man—is right now reigning in heaven with all authority to empower us, His church, to live for Him here on earth. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are equipped to serve Him until the glorious day of His return. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on May 29, 2022.

Psalm 90 is a psalm about death, written by Moses who saw a lot of it. Now that might sound morbid, but it's actually quite magnificent. Psalm 90 is full of rich metaphors and points us to the One who defeated death for us. This message was preached by Erick Cobb on May 22, 2022.

Psalm 23 is not a psalm for the dying but for the living. Our good Shepherd is with us and is all we need for rest, for courage, for hope. Adversity does not mean we are on the wrong path. Likewise "courage isn't found in the absence of our problems, but in the presence of God." This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on May 15, 2022.

"I know my life is worth living if only I had....." How would you fill in the blank? If the answer is something other than God, that is your idol. Idols are often good things that have been come god-things. The way out is to recognize the foolishness of idols in contrast to the faithfulness of our God and Savior. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on May 8, 2022.

Is God's personal knowledge of you good news or bad news? Test yourself with Psalm 139. In Christ, we are fully known, fully seen, fully loved. The Gospel makes Psalm 139 very good news and should engender Wonder, Loyalty, and Love. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on May 1, 2022.

What can we do when we feel deserted and betrayed, not by those outside the household of faith, but by those within? David teaches us that we can cry out to God to save us, we can call out to God for justice, and we can stake a claim on God's character. This message was preached by Pastor Josh White on April 24, 2022.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of first importance. The resurrection of Jesus Christ happened. Because these things are true we can have confidence that we are next. Our resurrection is assured! "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting." This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on April 17, 2022.

Psalm 22 was written approximately 1000 years before Christ's crucifixion. It is a psalm of worship for anyone who feels forsaken. Christ, Himself, felt the absence of God, the presence of His enemies, and ultimately the victory of His sufferings. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on April 15, 2022.

Psalm 118 uses the covenant keeping name of God -Yahweh- more than any other psalm. It is also the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. Jesus Himself quoted this psalm during Holy Week prior to His crucifixion. Find out why. This message was preached by Pastor Gabe Medina on April 10, 2022.

Psalm 78 highlights the truth that God is faithful & gracious and God's people often are not. In light of this, God provides 4 principles specifically for parents: 1. Be aware your children are fallen, 2. Because of this, teach them with purposeful determination the greatness of God, 3. Teach them the Bible, and 4. Teach them with the goal of their salvation and subsequent faithfulness to God clearly in mind. This message was preached by Pastor Marcelo Tolopilo on April 3, 2022.

Psalm 67 is God's heart for the nations, that all might know Him. Our motives for missions are that more people might worship the one true God and that the nations might find their joy in God who is the well of all happiness. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on March 27, 2022.

In the midst of environmental catastrophe, war and national collapse, why do believers have cause for courage? The psalmist reminds us that can take courage in the Dwelling of God, the Victory of God, and the Glory of God. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on March 20, 2022.

There is often a stigma that accompanies depression. Not so with God. Half of the Psalms are songs of laments or contain laments. How do we pilot our souls in darkness? The psalmist encourages us to do three things: 1. Pour out our souls to God. 2. Preach to our own souls rather than listening to oneself. 3. Remember depression has a time stamp on it. It will not last. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on March 13, 2022.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy name." David six times calls himself and all creation to bless the Lord. The God who is worthy of blessing is slow to anger. He doesn't deal with us according to our sins. He does not need us but in His mercy chooses us. And His perfect love is ours in Jesus. "Bless the Lord, O my soul..." This message was preached by Gabe Medina on March 6, 2022.

Jesus is our ruling King, leading King, and conquering King. But not only that, He is also our eternal, sacrificing, interceding and saving Priest. This message was preached by Pastor Josh White on February 20, 2022.

"O magnify the Lord with me..." "O taste and see that the Lord is good..." "O fear the Lord you His saints..." Why does David call us to worship God in this way? Psalm 34 leads us on a journey to answer this question. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on February 20, 2022.

Psalm 119 is a love song for the word of God. Why love God's word? Because it makes you wise; because it makes you strong; because it sets you free; and because it gives you God! How do we experience what the psalmist describes? By spending time in prayer and meditation in this delightful word with the God of the word. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on February 13, 2022.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a miry pit, needing rescue? When God draws us out and sets our feet on a rock, how should we respond? We should have hearts that want to obey; we should tell others of our faithful God; and we should call upon again and again. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on February 6, 2022.

Psalm 33 lifts our mind's eye high to gaze upon an all powerful yet personal Creator God who knows everything even the deepest sorrows of your soul. The psalmist gives us reasons to praise Him and shows us the way to praise Him as well. This message was preached by Gabriel Medina on January 30, 2022.

Psalm 55, a counseling psalm, shows us what to do with our fears and anxieties. David reveals that confessing our anxieties, casting our burdens on God, and praying for God's peace can break the strength of our greatest fears. "But I call to God, and the LORD will save me." This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on January 23, 2022.

How do we find true happiness? God is the fount of all happiness and the psalmist tells us, "Blessed (happy) is the one whose transgression is forgiven." Happiness comes by drawing near to God and by dealing honestly with God about our sin. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on January 16, 2022.

"God has inspired a psalm for every sigh of the soul." (Don Whitney)The book of psalms is a singing theology and a theology that makes you sing. In the psalms we see God, we see how to draw near to God, and we see Christ. Welcome to the book of psalms. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on January 9, 2022.

The New Covenant is a continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant of grace and replaces the Mosaic Covenant of works. Grab onto 5 New Covenant Promises this New Year from Ezekiel 36:25-27. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on January 2, 2022.

David wanted to build a house for God, but God turned the table and blessed David with this promise, "The LORD will make a house for you...I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He is the king we can hope in and his is a kingdom we can live in even as we await his second advent and the culmination of his kingdom. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on December 26, 2021.

The Mosaic Covenant reveals God's perfect holiness and our inability to keep His holy law. It reveals our need for God's grace. Jesus had to be our lamb and our law keeper. His life and His sacrifice provided the righteousness we lack on our own. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on December 19, 2021.