ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> March 29<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2026  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/scripture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scripture</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>1 John 5:6–8; Romans 8:15–17; Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:15–16; John 14:5–6; Hebrews 6:18; Matthew 17:1–8; Luke 2:13–14; 12:57</p> <p><sup>6</sup>.... It is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. <sup>7</sup>For there are three that bear witness: <sup>8</sup>the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 1 John 5:6–8</p> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>The Spirit of Truth</h4> <ul> <li>What does it mean that the Spirit of God bears witness?</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. The Spirit of God is the truth, and bears witness to nothing but the truth</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Psalm 31:5, Isaiah 65:15–16, John 14:5–6</li> </ul> <h4><strong>III. The Johannine Comma (<em>Comma Johanneum</em>)</strong></h4> <ul> <li>1 John 5:7–8 (NKJV) "<sup>7</sup>For there are three that bear witness [in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. <sup>8</sup>And there are three that bear witness on earth]: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”</li> <li>Textual variants, textual criticism, King James Onlyism</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. Textual Support for the Johannine Comma</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Matthew 17:1-8</li> </ul> <h4><strong>V. Is the Johannine Comma authentic?</strong></h4> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> </ul> <p>Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. <a href="http://lsbible.org/">LSBible.org</a> and <a href="http://316publishing.com/">316publishing.com</a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> March 22<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2026  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/christ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christ</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>1 John 5:6; Matthew 16:16; 2 Peter 3:17–18; John 1:1–4, 14–15; 1 Timothy 1:15; Galatians 4:4–5; John 3:16; 1 John 4:14; John 19:32–37; Mark 1:9–11; 10:45; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 15:47; John 3:13; Leviticus 17:10–11, 14; Hebrews 9:17–28; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7–10</p> <p>This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. 1 John 5:6</p> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>The One who came…</h4> <ul> <li>"Familiarity breeds contempt"</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. Water and blood?</strong></h4> <h4><strong>III. What is the significance of Jesus coming by water <em>and</em> blood?</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Gnosticism, Cerinthus, Docetists</li> <li>Athanasius, <em>On the Incarnation</em></li> <li>"cross and circulatory speech"</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. Not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood</strong></h4> <ul> <li>The importance of blood</li> <li>Without blood, you cannot live</li> </ul> <h4><strong>V. Does <em>God</em> have blood?</strong></h4> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> </ul> <p>Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. <a href="http://lsbible.org/">LSBible.org</a> and <a href="http://316publishing.com/">316publishing.com</a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> March 15<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2026  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/union-with-christ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Union with Christ</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>1 John 5:5; John 17:3; 1 Timothy 5:25; John 14:28; Matthew 28:17; John 9:35–39; Matthew 16:13–17; John 5:17–24; 19:7; Hebrews 13:8–9; Titus 2:13; 1 John 1:3; 5:20</p> <p><sup>5</sup>Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5</p> <ul> <li>"Faith” is not just a verb—it is also a noun.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>What does it mean to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?</h4> <ul> <li>The Apostle John emphasizes believing, receiving, knowing, confessing, seeing, abiding over 100 times in this letter.</li> <li>John 17:3</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. How is Jesus the Son of God?</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Arianism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism</li> <li>Matthew 28:17, John 9:35-39</li> </ul> <h4><strong>III. What saith the Scripture?</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Matthew 16:13–17; John 5:17–24, 19:7</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. One of the primary subjects of John’s entire letter...</strong></h4> <ul> <li><strong><em>Icthus:</em></strong> "Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Uἱός Σωτήρ", "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior"</li> </ul> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> </ul> <p>Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. <a href="http://lsbible.org/">LSBible.org</a> and <a href="http://316publishing.com/">316publishing.com</a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> March 8<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2026  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/doctrines-of-grace" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Doctrines of Grace</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>1 John 5:4–5; Jude 3; Hebrews 5:12; Romans 12:1; Psalm 9:10; Acts 20:27; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:10; Jude 13; Genesis 49:4; Ephesians 4:14; Matthew 11:7; 2 Peter 2:1; Zechariah 4:6; John 18:33–37; Romans 8:37–39; 2 Corinthians 2:14–17; Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12; Revelation 19:11–15; 1:15; Colossians 1:21–23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 3:14–21</p> <p><sup>4</sup>For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the overcoming that has overcome the world—our faith. <sup>5</sup>Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4–5</p> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>What is this “faith” that overcomes the world?</h4> <ul> <li>Personal faith? Or <em>the</em> faith? Body of divinity?</li> <li>Thomas Watson: "The second proposition is, that the way for Christians to be settled—is to be well grounded. "If you continue grounded and settled" (Colossians 1:23). The Greek word for grounded is a metaphor which alludes to a building that has the foundation well laid. So Christians should be grounded in the essential points of true religion, and have their foundation well laid."</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. Overcoming by believing that Jesus is the Son of God.</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Verb tenses are important in the Bible, to maintain proper balance and distinction of the law and the gospel, to avoid confusing primary doctrines, such as distinguishing justification (one time act) and sanctification (progressive, ongoing).</li> </ul> <h4><strong>III. How do we overcome the world?</strong></h4> <h4><strong>IV. Not by might…not by sight…</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Zechariah 4:6, John 18:33-37, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12, Revelation 19:11–15</li> </ul> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> </ul> <p>Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. <a href="http://lsbible.org/">LSBible.org</a> and <a href="http://316publishing.com/">316publishing.com</a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> March 1<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2026  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/typology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Typology</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>1 John 5:1–5; John 3:16; 1:9, 12–13; 1 John 4:4–6; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9; 2:13; Exodus 12:50–51; Jude 5; Hebrews 3:14–19; Numbers 21:5–9; 1 Corinthians 10:9; John 3:14–15; Numbers 14:13–14; Isaiah 63:10–14; Romans 8:37–39</p> <p><sup>4</sup>For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the overcoming that has overcome the world—our faith. <sup>5</sup>Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4–5</p> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>Why the word “everything” (<em>pan</em>, v. 4) instead of “everyone” (<em>pas</em>, v. 1)?</h4> <h4><strong>II. This is partly why we seek to baptize only true believers who "have been born of God..."</strong></h4> <ul> <li><strong><em>Westminster Larger Catechism </em>(MESV), Q. 165. What is baptism?  A.</strong> Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, in which Christ has ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, <strong>of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection to everlasting life; and by which the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.</strong></li> </ul> <h4><strong>III. What is this “world” that we believing conquerors overcome?</strong></h4> <ul> <li>First define key terms, otherwise you cannot make proper sense of the passage.</li> <li>Context is king.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. Born of God…the Father</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Need to account more carefully for what both the Old and New Testaments reveal about Christ.</li> <li><em>The Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics</em>, Article III. WE AFFIRM that the Person and work of Jesus Christ are the central focus of the entire Bible. WE DENY that any method of interpretation which rejects or obscures the Christ-centeredness of Scripture is correct.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> </ul> <p>Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. <a href="http://lsbible.org/">LSBible.org</a> and <a href="http://316publishing.com/">316publishing.com</a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> February 22<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2026  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/law-gospel-distinction" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law & Gospel Distinction</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>1 John 5:3; 4:10, 19; Ephesians 2:1–16; James 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 7:11–8:2; James 4:1–7; Romans 1:16–17; Matthew 11:25–30; Galatians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:6–7</p> <p><sup>3</sup>For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3</p> <ul> <li>Intricate, harmonious connection between love, faith, and obedience—on love visibly manifested and applied</li> </ul> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>His commandments are not burdensome.</h4> <ul> <li>Why are God’s commandments not burdensome for believers? Because of God’s love.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come…”</strong></h4> <ul> <li>If the law of God is not burdensome, then why do we still struggle with burdens?</li> <li>Romans 7:12-8:2</li> </ul> <h4><strong>III. The source of quarrels and conflicts among you.</strong></h4> <ul> <li>James 4:1-7</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. My burden is light.</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Matthew 11:25-30</li> <li>1 Peter 5:6-7</li> </ul> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> </ul> <p>Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. <a href="http://lsbible.org/">LSBible.org</a> and <a href="http://316publishing.com/">316publishing.com</a></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="sermon-speaker"><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> February 15, 2026  <strong>Preacher:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  </span></span><span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/it-is-written:-scripture-alone" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">It Is Written: Scripture Alone</a></span>  <span class="sermon-topic"><strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Authority</a>  </span><span class="sermon-verse"><strong>Scripture: </strong>2 Kings 17:13–14; Nehemiah 8:1–8; Psalm 119:1; Matthew 23:1–3; Romans 3:2; Colossians 1:9–10; Psalm 19:7–8</span></p> <p><sup>13</sup>Yet Yahweh warned Israel and Judah by the hand of all His prophets <em>and</em> every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by the hand of My slaves the prophets.” <sup>14</sup>However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in Yahweh their God. 2 Kings 17:13–14</p> <ul> <li>The OT is full of the same synecdoches we saw in the NT that point to either a larger part of, or the whole of, the OT—the Law, the Prophets, the Law and the Prophets, etc.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>To Be, or Not to Be, God-Breathed? That Is the Church’s Question</h4> <h4><strong>II. </strong>The Jews, the Pharisees, and Josephus</h4> <h4><strong>III. </strong>The Roman Catholic Church-State</h4> <ul> <li>Pope Boniface VIII, <em>Unam Sanctam</em>: “…we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is <em>absolutely necessary</em> <em>for salvation</em> that <em>every</em> human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a></li> <li>The early church was highly varied and diverse, not monolithic, and in many ways was unlike any of the major denominations we see today.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. </strong>The Roman Catholic Canon</h4> <ul> <li>The first time that the Roman Catholic Church defined her canon of the Bible dogmatically—was during the Council of Trent (1546): "But if any one receive not, as sacred and canonical, these same books entire with all their parts, as they have been used to be read in the Catholic Church, and as they are contained in the old Latin vulgate edition; and knowingly and deliberately despise the traditions aforesaid; let him be anathema [eternally condemned].”</li> </ul> <h4><strong>V.  </strong>Eastern Orthodoxy: The <em>Other</em> “One True Church” & Her Bible(s)</h4> <ul> <li>Russian Orthodox Catechism of Philaret (1782-1867) of Moscow (1830), "Examined and Approved by the Most Holy Governing Synod [of the Russian Orthodox Church], and Published for the Use of Schools, and of all Orthodox Christians, by Order of His Imperial Majesty," affirms the Protestant canon instead, contradicting the earlier 1672 Synod of Jerusalem.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>VI. </strong>The Russian Orthodox Canon of Scripture</h4> <h4><strong>VII. </strong>The 1672 Council of Jerusalem</h4> <ul> <li>“The 1672 Synod of Jerusalem…rejected <em>any</em> further attempts at reformulation [and reformation] of Orthodox teachings and strengthened Orthodox beliefs against both the Protestant Reformation and Catholicism. The Synod produced...the Confession of Dositheus (Patriarch of Jerusalem), in which point by point it refuted Cyril [Lucaris’] eighteen points. In addition, it added four catechetical style questions that defended the restriction of reading and study of Scripture to the priests, def

<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="sermon-speaker"><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> February 8, 2026  <strong>Preacher:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  </span></span><span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/it-is-written:-scripture-alone" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">It Is Written: Scripture Alone</a></span>  <span class="sermon-topic"><strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Authority</a>  </span><span class="sermon-verse"><strong>Scripture: </strong>Romans 3:1–4, 9–20; John 9:34; Luke 6:39; Mark 7:13; 1 Timothy 3:15; Matthew 7:12, 29; John 8:12–19; Romans 8:16, 23–27, 34; John 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:2–13; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; Deuteronomy 18:9–14; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:2; 5:6–9; 1 Corinthians 4:6–12; Romans 11:16–24; Titus 1:9</span></p> <p><span lang="en-US">May it never be! Rather, let God be true and every man a liar, as it is written, “</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">That</span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">You may be justified in</span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Your words</span><span lang="en-US">, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">And overcome when</span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">You</span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">are judged</span><span lang="en-US">.” Romans 3:4</span></p> <p><span lang="en" style="text-decoration: none;"><sup>17</sup></span><span lang="en-US">“Even in your law it has been written that the witness of two men is true. </span><span lang="en" style="text-decoration: none;"><sup>18</sup></span><span lang="en-US">“I am He who bears witness about Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me.” John 8:17–18</span></p> <ul> <li>There is no such thing as an infallible human authority, for all men and women are corrupted, fallen sinners, and liars.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>What does <em>infallible</em> mean?</h4> <ul> <li>Not capable of erring (making errors)—at all</li> <li><em>God-Breathed Scripture</em>, Free Grace Broadcaster 239 (Chapel Library, 2017), <a href="https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/gbscfg/godbreathed-scripture">https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/gbscfg/godbreathed-scripture</a>.</li> <li>Some traditions dogmatically affirm that it is possible for some people to be infallible (the pope), or that some people lived on earth without ever committing any personal sin, even while still suffering the other effects of the fall (Eastern Orthodoxy).</li> <li>Romans 3:9-20</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. </strong>Of Fallible Men & Infallible Authorities</h4> <ul> <li>John 8:12-19</li> <li>We as believers and as the church of God already have, not one, not two, not three, but four infallible Authorities—God and His Word.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>III. B</strong>elief in infallible authorities is neither contrary to Scripture—it is Scriptural—nor is it anti-Protestant…</h4> <ul> <li>As long as <em>infallible authorities</em> are restricted to God and His Word alone.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>IV. </strong>Parallel Problems: Fallible Mediators & Authorities</h4> <ul> <li>Those who impose so-called “infallible” churches, traditions, popes, councils, etc., undermine and replace the authority and power of God

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lord's Day:</strong> February 1<span class="sermon-listing-detail">, 2025  </span><span class="sermon-listing-detail"><strong>Preacher:</strong> <a class="speaker" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/preacher/p/19307/carlos-montijo" rel="p-19307">Carlos Montijo</a>  <span class="sermon-series"><strong>Series:</strong> <a id="series-10" class="series" href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/first-john">First John</a></span> <span class="sermon-topic"> <strong>Topic:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/topic/law-gospel-distinction">Law & Gospel Distinction</a>  </span></span><strong>Scripture: </strong>Psalm 11:7; 1 John 1:9–2:2; Deuteronomy 32:3–4; 1 John 3:4; Romans 7:13; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8; Matthew 5:29–30; Romans 8:6–8; 1 John 3:8–10; Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29; Mark 10:18; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10–12; Galatians 2:21; John 1:29; Galatians 4:4–5; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22–24; Romans 5:19; 4:3–8; 2 Corinthians 5:20–21; Ephesians 4:20–24; Philippians 3:20–21</p> <p><span lang="en-US">For Yahweh is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face. Psalm 11:7</span></p> <ul> <li>Two of the most important subjects in the entire Bible: sin and righteousness</li> </ul> <h4><strong>I.  </strong>“…so that you may not sin.”</h4> <ul> <li>According to God, we are all sinners, born guilty under the Law of God.</li> <li>What is your life’s purpose? To not sin?</li> <li>Who are you a child of?</li> <li><em>The Belgic Confession</em>, Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith</li> </ul> <h4><strong>II. The Gospel According to Righteousnesses</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Are <em>you</em> righteous?</li> <li>The Bible describes different kinds of righteousnesses with respect to God and man, which summarize the entire story of the Bible, the whole counsel of God, and reveals the true gospel to us:</li> </ul> <ol> <li>The Righteousness of God</li> <li>Original Righteousness</li> <li>Self-Righteousness</li> <li>The Righteousness of Jesus Christ</li> <li>The Imputed Righteousness of Believers</li> <li>The Renewed Righteousness of Believers</li> <li>The Culminated Righteousness of Believers</li> </ol> <p><strong><em>An Orthodox Catechism</em>, Question 60: How are <em>you</em> right with God? </strong>Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.(a) Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God's commandments and of never having kept any of them,(b) and even though I am still inclined toward all evil [in my flesh],(c) nevertheless, without my deserving it at all,(d) out of sheer grace,(e) God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,(f) as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.(g) <strong>All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart</strong>.(h)  (a) Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil 3:8-11  (b) Rom. 3:9-10  (c) Rom. 7:23  (d) Tit. 3:4-5  (e) Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8  (f) Rom. 4:3-5 (Gen. 15:6); 2 Cor. 5:17-19; 1 John 2:1-2  (g) Rom. 4:24-25; 2 Cor. 5:21  (h) John 3:18; Acts 16:30-31</p> <p><strong>Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church</a></strong><br />4712 Montana Ave<br />El Paso, Texas 79903</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact us at:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>web:</strong> <a href="https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/">ThornCrownCovenant.Church</a><br /><strong>call/text:</strong> (915) 843-8088<br /><strong>email: </strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">ThornCrow