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. Joshua 7-8 | Defeated

    3d ago

    Joshua 7-8 | Defeated

    Joshua 7-8: Defeated

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

    4d ago

    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]

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

    5d ago

    Genesis 6-7 | The Ark and the Flood

    Genesis 6-7: The Ark and the Flood

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

    6d ago

    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.

  5. Joshua 6 | Jericho

    Jun 18

    Joshua 6 | Jericho

    Joshua 6: Jericho

  6. Revelation 2:1-7 | The Loveless Church

    Jun 17

    Revelation 2:1-7 | The Loveless Church

    Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. [Revelation 2:4] Ive often said that a little knowledge and a little confidence is a dangerous combination. Mixing the two oftentimes siphons out humility. Humility gets us to yield to the Teacher and to take in what Hes teaching. But it is oftentimes when were overconfident that we stop listening, learning, and receiving what the Teacher teaches. We begin to think that we can do it on our own. That is what happened to the church at Ephesus. We have a wealth of Scripture on the church at Ephesus. Paul planted the church during his 2nd Missionary journey [ref. Acts 18:19]. The gifts of the Spirit were powerfully active [ref. Acts 19:11]. There was much love and fellowship among the believers [ref. Acts 20:17-38]. There is a cannoned letter that Paul wrote specifically to the Ephesian saints. Timothy and John were Overseers of that church at various times in their ministries. We therefore can read Ephesians, parts of Acts, 1 2 Timothy, and 1, 2, and 3 John and piece together valuable insight into the Ephesian fellowship. And yet, here in Revelation, we have Jesus commentary. They were exhorted to watch their doctrine closely [ref 1 Ti. 4:15]. They were warned that savage wolves would come in to divide their flock [ref Acts 20:29]. They were encouraged to labor for the truth [ref 1 Ti. 1:18-19]. And they were warned about false teachers [ref 1 Ti. 4:6]. This makes it all the more interesting to see what Jesus had to say in Rev 2:1-7. Howd they do? He commends them in Rev 2:2-3; 2:6. They did well with doctrine, endurance, identifying false teachers, and living righteous and pure lives. Yet Jesus rebukes them in Rev 2:4-5. They had left their first love. They departed from their intimate love relationship with Jesus. Their fellowship had become mature in doctrine, Scripture, and discerning false teachers. They had become a learned people. BUT this came at the great cost of leaving their First Love. Can we, too, become so learned that we leave our First Love? The church at Ephesus serves as a warning, even to us. Education in the Scriptures is important, but it can never be at the expense of love. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Lets make sure that we are both loving and learning the Scriptures in all humility.

  7. Genesis 4-5 | Cain & Abel

    Jun 16

    Genesis 4-5 | Cain & Abel

    Genesis 4-5: Cain & Abel

  8. Matthew 2:13-23 | Characters of a Godly Man

    Jun 15

    Matthew 2:13-23 | Characters of a Godly Man

    When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt [Matthew 2:14] There really is not a lot of Scripture on Joseph, Marys husband, our Lords adopted father. But the handful of verses that we have, describe him as a God-fearing man and a Spirit-led leader. The end of Matt 1 records that he sought to put her away secretly finding that she [Mary] was with child during their engagement. Joseph, being a just man, did not want to make her a public example. One can only imagine the questions [and hurt] he was feeling. And yet, his concern was for Mary. He was more interested in her wellbeing even while his own heart was broken. This is a mark of a Godly man and leader. He did not yell and get violent; he trusted God and served his wife. Yeah guys, the ways of God are very different than the way this world teaches. In our passage this morning we will see several Godly characters in Joseph. Firstly, he knows to wait for Gods word. Now when they had departed [the Magi], behold, an angel of the Lord appeared [v.13]. It had been over two years in Bethlehem. No doubt Joseph sensed danger during that time, and yet he stayed put until the Word of the Lord came. Secondly, when it was time to go, he went. Though the travel to Egypt would be dangerous, he went. It was the Word of the Lord that was leading him. He was a man of faith, even though there was much around him to fear. He left by faith, and he led his family by faith [not by fear]. This is another mark of a true leader. Thirdly, Joseph was a man of wisdom. Notice that the angel told Joseph to flee [v.13] not fight. Notice, too, that Joseph took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt. [v.14] Joseph received Gods word and applied it wisely. The whole of the Bible reveals Gods will, way, and timing. In the handful of verses on Joseph, we see him faithfully exercising these three. Notice that two out of three is not enough. In Josephs case it would have been disastrous. But it is the same for us. It starts with knowing Gods will, way, and timing; and then walking in the three that inherits the fullness of Gods blessings. We should be settling for nothing less than the three.

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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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