Studying Scripture with Pastor David Higa at ccEchoPark

Pastor David Higa

Study the whole Bible chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse with Pastor David Higa at Calvary Chapel Echo Park in Los Angeles ccEchoPark.com

  1. Revelation 2:18-29 | The Corrupt Church

    15h ago

    Revelation 2:18-29 | The Corrupt Church

    And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass. [Rev 2:18] Can you imagine taking in this personal revelation of Jesus!? We can refer back to Rev 1:14-15 to see that these are only two of the several features that John described in his vision of the unveiled Christ. His response, I fell at His feet as dead. [Rev 1:17] Yet these features, we note, are the two specific ones that Jesus revealed to the church in Thyatira. Thyatira is referred to as the Corrupt Church. It was not that everyone was corrupt. They received commendations from our Lord as well. I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. [Rev 2:19] Notice their transformation; their latter works were more than the first [ref. Rev 2:19]. Nevertheless Jesus warned, you allow [tolerate in the NASB] that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. [Rev 2:20] What was the sin of tolerating Jezebel? It dealt with tolerating immorality, specifically sexual immorality, the root of which is idolatry. The prophecy of Hosea speaks volumes on this connection.Some commentators see parallels between Thyatira and the time in Church History known as the Medieval Church [A.D. 476-1453]. That time was certainly a corrupt one. But notice what preceded it; the Imperial Church [A.D. 300-476], which was a period of steep compromise. Last week we looked at a Compromised Church in Jesus letter to Pergamos. To press the Church History parallel further, next week we study Jesus letter to the Church in Sardis [ref. Rev 3:1-6]; oftentimes referred to as the Dead Church. Certain commentators match Sardis with the Reformed Church [A.D. 1453-1648], a time when reformation would begin after so much had died during the darkness of the Medieval Church. It probably would be wise to not get too carried away with Church History parallels. However, it cannot be denied that there is a real digression from compromise, to corruption, to death; even in todays church. We would do well to stay close to our Lord; in prayer, fellowship, worship, and His Word. Anything less would be compromise; and compromise is that first step toward ruin.

  2. Genesis 8-9 | Noah

    1d ago

    Genesis 8-9 | Noah

    Genesis 8-9: Noah

  3. Matthew 4:1-11 | The Dynamics of Temptation

    2d ago

    Matthew 4:1-11 | The Dynamics of Temptation

    Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [Matthew 4:1] The temptation that Christ endured came immediately after His baptism. Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. [Mk 1:12] This is the dynamic that we see in our day. It doesnt take long after a baptism service for Satan to tempt, entice, and lead astray. Notice, though, that it was the Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness. It was not, however, the Spirit who tempted. The Devil did the tempting. But ultimately God allowed it. There are some important principles to glean from this passage. Firstly, it is the Spirit who oftentimes leads us to a place of testing. This is because spiritual maturity comes with real physical, spiritual, and emotional trials. Gods desire is that we grow up so that we can be used by Him in this fallen world. He receives us just as we are; marred vessels, bruised and broken; and then saves us, mends us, and begins to mold and shape us into His image. His image, however, is holy, and so there needs to be a work done in us by the Holy Spirit through testing. Secondly, notice that it is Satan that tempts, not God. God never tempts with evil [ref. Jms 1:13]. Satans temptations are rooted in physical and emotional appetite, the flesh, a lust to satisfy self. Obey your thirst, is the contemporary slogan that sums it up. But notice Jesus response, For man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Thirdly, notice that God allows temptation. This can be a bit perplexing when under severe temptation. A good word to remember is 1 Cor 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. This is insight into the question why temptation? It is for maturitys sake.

  4. Joshua 7-8 | Defeated

    6d ago

    Joshua 7-8 | Defeated

    Joshua 7-8: Defeated

  5. Revelation 2:8-17 | The Persecuted and Compromised Church

    Jun 24

    Revelation 2:8-17 | The Persecuted and Compromised Church

    This morning we will cover Jesus Revelation letters to Smyrna and Pergamos. To Smyrna: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich) [Revelation 2:9] In the world you will have tribulation, Jesus told His disciples this just before He went to the Cross [ref. John 16:33]. He would leave them, but not as orphans; He promised them the Holy Spirit who would guide and strengthen them. But He did not sugar-coat the reality of life in this fallen world. It is [and will continue to be] a life of trial, tribulation, and suffering. Jesus knew their suffering and poverty in the Smyrna fellowship. I know your works, tribulation, and poverty This Persecuted Church had worked unto their Lord in the midst of tribulation. Rather than be isolated into a pity party, they worked unto God in the midst of severe suffering. And Jesus commends them for it. It reveals that in Christ our best can come out in our most trying times. It is interesting, too, that this persecuted church received no rebuke; there was no correction. Persecution was a pure road to travel. To Pergamos: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword. [Revelation 2:12] Pergamos is known as the Compromising church. They stayed the course in some areas but compromised in others. Compromise is perhaps the most effective weapon against the Christian because of her subtlety. Do not stray into her paths. [Prov 7:25] When we compromise we stray, and when we stray we can find ourselves on a road that is difficult to get off of. For she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men. [Prov 7:26] The warning is clear, do not underestimate the power [and subtlety] of sin. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. It is true; even a little leaven leavens the whole lump. The great weapon against compromise is Gods word, He who has the sharp two-edged sword. He, the Word, is Who cuts out compromise. And it is precisely the cutting out [pruning] that produces genuine Spiritual fruit. May we take heed to this warning. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [Heb 4:12]

  6. Genesis 6-7 | The Ark and the Flood

    Jun 23

    Genesis 6-7 | The Ark and the Flood

    Genesis 6-7: The Ark and the Flood

  7. Matthew 3:1-17 | The Forerunner of Christ

    Jun 22

    Matthew 3:1-17 | The Forerunner of Christ

    I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [Matthew 3:11] Our Lord referred to John the Baptist as the greatest born of women. That is high praise! Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist [Jn 11:11]. And yet we see in the Gospels John consistently deferring to Jesus. In the Kingdom, the way up is down. Indeed, the highest place is at the foot of the Cross. He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease. [Jn 3:30] That is what made John the Baptist great and his ministry effective. He was Gods forerunner to Christ; his ministry was a precursor to the baptism of the Spirit. John knew his place; he knew what he was called to and did it. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance [Johns ministry]. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire [Jesus ministry]. These ministries are alive and well today! Repentance is the Greek metanoeo; from meta, after, and noeo, to think. It underscores faith. Repentance of sin is a matter of faith. In this context it is not only a decision to turn from sin but to turn toward Christ. The dynamic is twofold. In the root of the word, it says that even if I do not have it figured out, I have decided to turn and to trust, and that understanding will come later. Most importantly, though, it is trusting the Spirits power to transform my life. It is precisely when I experience Holy Spirit transformation that things begin to make sense. Understanding comes as I walk by faith. It begins, however, with repentance [i.e., Johns ministry], a decision to turn from my own way and go His, even if I do not understand [yet]. This is a decision that every true Christian makes. It is a decision that every non-Christian can make. Repent of your sins; and then ask Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. These are the two parts of Johns and Jesus ministry. It begins with Johns [a baptism of repentance] and is completed in Jesus [a baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire]. It is, however, initiated by you; a decision for Christ; a step of faith. I encourage you to take that step today. If you do you will find that things will begin to make a whole lot of sense in the days ahead.

  8. Joshua 6 | Jericho

    Jun 18

    Joshua 6 | Jericho

    Joshua 6: Jericho

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Study the whole Bible chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse with Pastor David Higa at Calvary Chapel Echo Park in Los Angeles ccEchoPark.com

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