New Covenant OPC Sermon Podcast New Covenant OPC

In Philippians 3:17-4:1 Paul urges the Philippians to be fellow imitators of Christ with him. There are many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ, but we are to be heavenly minded, looking with eager anticipation to the return of the Savior.

In Isaiah 63:1-6 Isaiah gives the final of four messianic prophecies in chapters 59-63. Here the emphasis falls on Christ coming in judgment. How does this judgment relate to the other oracles of salvation? We see here that salvation comes through judgment. The judgment of sin on the cross is the surest guarantee of another future judgment which will destroy the wicked and bring vindication to the godly.

Christ's work as priest is not limited to his sacrifice on the cross. He continues to serve as priest having been raised from the dead. He is the priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and pleads the merits of his blood on behalf of his people.

Jesus is our great High Priest, through whom the way has been opened to God. How was this way opened? Through his death. Christ is both the priest and the sacrifice whereby we are cleansed from our sins and enabled to approach God without fear.

In Philippians 3:12-16 Paul exhorts the Philippians to strive for more in the Christian life. It can be so easy to be complacent in the Christian life, but Paul teaches us the Christian life is one that is always to be filled with striving for more.

In Isaiah 62:1-9 Isaiah speaks about the prayers that ought to be made to God in light of the coming of Christ. The passage actually starts out with an example of Christ's prayers for the restoration of the people of God. These prayers are made constantly to God. We do not have, however, only a prophecy of Christ's prayer, Isaiah also tells us that Christ will set watchman to pray unceasingly to God for the restoration of Zion. The instructions given to them is to "give Him no rest." Such is to be our perseverance in prayer for the Kingdom of God.