CBC Corpus Podcast

If there is one thing that is abundantly clear throughout Genesis and the entirety of Scripture it is that God is absolutely faithful. Our God is a covenant keeping God and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation and throughout the ages. Today in Genesis 26:1-11 we see the unfolding and continuation of God's covenant of grace as Abraham's promised son Isaac is now tried, tested and directed in ways that are strikingly similar to his father Abraham.

We are prepared to die well only when we live each day to the glory of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Eternal life is the reward of all those who die in faith. Death for the believer is not the end but only the beginning of a new, glorious existence — one in which we enjoy face-to-face communion with the Lord forever.

In this sermon podcast, pastor Eddie Davila is teaching from Romans 11:16-24. God is making Israel envious by delivering the gospel to the Gentiles. In this section of chapter 11, Paul reveals how the hardening of Israel has resulted in blessings for the Gentiles—blessings accompanied by the responsibility for humility. To keep the Gentiles from falling into the same sin as Israel, Paul's description of blessing is followed by a warning against pride.

In this sermon podcast, Mark Lopez is teaching from Hebrews 12:1-7;11. Mark poses seven questions to help guide our understanding of the text. Idea: Christians ought to look to Jesus, who endured the full weight of suffering, and trust in the Father’s benevolent providence through all trials and hardship. The author of Hebrews provides a list of faithful examples in chapter 11. He then uses these examples as a basis for urging his readers to remain faithful. But the point of this passage is not to look to our earthly fathers but to look to Jesus, our ultimate source for finding strength and for obtaining a proper understanding of the heavenly Father’s discipline. Believers look to Christ because he endured suffering for the church’s salvation.

Pastor Eddie is teaching from Ecclesiastes 10:1-3. In this chapter Solomon gives us several examples of the “foolish life.” Many of these matters seem insignificant, but grave consequences can come from such “small” things. It is easy to downplay the significance of “little tasks,” but they can determine the course of a person's life. Indulging in a “little foolishness” may bring grave consequences.

Today, pastor Eddie will be teaching from Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12. The main idea: Pursuing satisfaction in money Is meaningless. Those who love money will never be satisfied by money, and Solomon calls this kind of discontentment “futile.” Solomon’s statement has nothing to do with tax bracket; he does not mention an amount. His statement has everything to do with the heart. You can love money and have a lot, and you can love money and have a little. The issue is not how much you have; the issue is the heart.

Today, pastor Ed is preaching from Ecclesiastes 3:16-22. The meaninglessness of justice and politics in this cursed world cries out for a Savior. Why am I here? What’s the reason for my existence? Those are gigantic questions. Most people know things like pleasure or possessions or the pursuit of money are not high enough values. Most of us recognize that those aims are too low and inadequate for life. There has to be more to life—something more meaningful—than money and pleasurable experiences.

Today, pastor Ed will be preaching from Ecclesiastes 2:12-26. Solomon's transition to consider whether the dutiful person is better off than the fool also proves that there is no good substitute for God. Worldly wisdom certainly has some temporal advantages over folly. It is preferable to understand how to cope in this perplexing world. Balancing your checkbook and changing the oil in your car are prudent activities. So are obeying the laws of the land. But worldly wisdom clearly has its limitations, as we see in verse 14. All our striving apart from God are marked by futility.

In this sermon podcast, pastor Ed is preaching from Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. Exploring the possibility that various diversions offer fulfillment now occupies Solomon's attention. He finally realizes this is also a futile pursuit not worthy of his time.Pleasure in and of itself doesn't offer anything of lasting value. Pleasure that doesn't find its source in God is transitory, so it ultimately disappoints.

Today, pastor Ed will be preaching from Ecclesiastes 1:1-18. Romans 8:18-21 describes a futile creation that longs for the curse to be overthrown, a creation that longs for resurrection from the dead, and a fallen humanity that screams along with that creation. The reign of death is strong, and it claimed Adam and Abel and David and Solomon and Rehoboam, and one day it will claim you. But in a world full of grave plots, one grave is empty, and there is one Man whom the dust cannot claim because God would not allow the Holy One to see decay. Jesus is free from the curse, and He graciously offers that freedom to you.

Today we begin a series through the book of Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes we find a guy faced with the monotony of life who tried to find meaning in all of those things and more, and in the end he concludes that everything is meaningless. Ecclesiastes was written by the “Teacher” or “Preacher.” The Hebrew word denotes the leader of a congregation—a Pastor (Eswine, Recovering Eden, 3). Who is he? He is the “Son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1). Solomon is the only candidate because he is the only one of David’s sons who ruled over a united Israel from Jerusalem (see Eccl 1:12; 1 Chr 29:25).

In this podcast, pastor Ed is preaching from 3 John 9-11. Diotrephes is a prideful man. Prideful people who are malicious gossips oppose Christian hospitality. Perhaps John wrote a letter to the church, encouraging them to be hospitable toward traveling missionaries, but Diotrephes resisted it because of pride. He wanted to be first over them. The apostle then declared moral judgment against Diotrephes. His conduct was evil. Gaius was not to imitate this behavior. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God, John observed.

Today, pastor Ed is preaching from 3 John 5-8. People cannot see your heart, but they can see your life. Walk, live out, day by day, the gospel truth that is in you by virtue of your union with Christ. Abide in Christ and bear much fruit (cf. John 15). John commends Gaius, “Dear friend, you are showing faithfulness.” His faithful service stands in striking contrast to the inhospitable Diotrephes, whom we will meet in verses 9-10.

Today, pastor Eddie teaches from 3 John 1-4. As followers of Jesus, our lives and reputations ought to reflect His love, affection, and hospitality toward one another. With that in mind let me raise three important questions for all of us to think about: First, what do you think of yourself? Second, what do you believe others think about you? Third, what does God think about you? The shortest book in the Bible, the letter of 3 John is very helpful in assisting us to reflect on these three questions.

Pastor Ed is preaching from 1 John 5:18-21. For the final time in this letter John addresses the “new birth.” The apostle wants us to be sure that we have been born again, and he catalogs no less than 13 evidences of the new birth in this letter. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the true God, and the only God who gives you an eternal life—and you can have it with certainty. All you have to do is believe in His name. He and He alone is the “true God.” All other gods are deceiving counterfeits and false substitutes. What they promise they can never provide. Jesus “is the true God and eternal life.” On this truth you can stand and stake your eternal destiny.

Today, pastor Eddie teaches from 1 John 5:1-5. We can have assurance of our salvation. A person who believes Jesus is the Son of God is born again. The Spirit testified that Jesus came by water and blood. Anyone born of God does not continue to sin. God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. The true Christian overcomes the world by his faith and demonstrates his salvation by obeying God's commands—and they are not burdensome.

On this Resurrection Sunday, pastor Ed preaches from 1 John 3:4-10. As the storm clouds of World War II were approaching, German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer preached a sermon on November 26, 1939, entitled “Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory.” He brought his message to a close with these words: When dark hours and when the darkest hour comes over us, then we want to hear the voice of Jesus Christ calling in our ear: victory is won. Death is swallowed up in victory. Take comfort. And may God grant that then we will be able to say: I believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. It is in this faith that we want to live and die. (Bonhoeffer, The Collected Sermons, 210; emphasis in original)

On this Palm Sunday, pastor Ed teaches from 1 John 2:28-3:3. True believers will remain in fellowship with Christ and experience the blessings that come through communion with Him. That glorious day is indeed coming and the apostle John sees it as an awesome hope for the future and a powerful motivation for the present. Because I am going to be like Him in the future and for all eternity, such a promise has a wonderful transforming power in the present. My future impacts my life today!

Today, pastor Ed is preaching from Acts chapter 2:42-47. In this summary of the early church, Dr. Luke gives several significant descriptions of a healthy body of Christ. The church is God’s plan. That plan is bigger than the random conversion of a few individuals. Christianity is personal but not individualistic. It’s corporate. Jesus is saving a people for himself (Titus 2:14). This fact is made plain here in Acts 2; it has also been emphasized in Acts 1, as the people gathered together (1:14; 2:1). The communal nature of the church is reiterated throughout the New Testament and is illustrated by the fact that the epistles, or letters, were written to churches or in reference to churches.

Today pastor Ed is preaching from Jonah chapter 3:1-5. Jonah’s obedient proclamation of the destruction of Nineveh results in mercy for the Ninevites as the Lord turns from destroying them when He sees their belief in His Word. Jonah has to be the one to take Nineveh the bad news so that they can have a chance to hear some really good news.

In this sermon, pastor Eddie is teaching from Jonah 2:1-10. God loves the world so much that he seeks to save the world by leading every person in it to repentance from sin and commitment to a life of obedience. God expects his people to carry out the mission assignments he gives to each of us.

Today, pastor Ed will be preaching from Luke 2:22-38. God had promised consolation for Israel, a time of comfort and renewed hope (see Isa. 40:1; 49:13; 51:3; 52:9; 57:18; 66:10-11). Simeon expected that to happen any day. In his daily walk with God, Simeon had heard God's Spirit speak. God's personal word to Simeon guaranteed him the Christ, God's comfort in person, would come before Simeon died. God kept his promise to a man known in history only because he waited obediently for God to keep his promise.

Today, Pastor Eddie teaches from 1 Corinthians 16:19-24. Paul finally brought this letter to a close, including elements typical of his closings—greetings, blessings, and a brief note written in his own hand. Paul mentioned a number of Christians who sent greetings to the Corinthian church in order to remind these believers that they did not stand alone against the world. Many other believers stood united with the Christians at Corinth.

Today Pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 15:20-28. Because Christ has been raised, Paul declared, the believing dead must be raised because of their relationship to Christ. Paul insisted that it was a fact that Christ…indeed had been raised from the dead, but Christ's resurrection was more than one person's triumph over death. At the very heart of Christ's resurrection was the idea that he was the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. In perfect harmony with the idea of Christ as the firstfruits that honor God as the one who gives harvest, Christ will remain in subjection to the Father so that God may be all in all.

Today, pastor Ed is preaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 15:12-19. Paul addressed opponents who opposed the idea of human bodies being resurrected into glorified bodies. Paul introduced this line of reasoning by posing a dilemma. If he had preached that Christ had been raised from the dead and the Corinthians had believed it, how could they deny the resurrection of the dead? He introduced the idea that this was an inconsistent way of thinking. If people cannot be resurrected bodily, then Jesus was not resurrected. The fact of Christ's resurrection invalidated any philosophical objection to the possibility of resurrection.

Today Pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 15:1-2. In this chapter Paul dealt with another problem in the Corinthian church. He affirmed that the Christian faith rests upon the resurrection of Christ and has a sure conviction of the resurrection on the final day of all who believe in him.

Today Pastor Ed is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 14:1-5. Paul continued his discussion of spiritual gifts, focusing on their proper use in worship. God designed spiritual gifts for the edification of others. This principle should guide the ways we exercise them in worship. Paul argued that the principles of love and edification must guide the use of gifts in worship. He urged the Corinthians to devote themselves to using their spiritual gifts for others.

Today Pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Paul pointed out that Christian love is the most important of all gifts from the Spirit of God. He called the Corinthians to pursue love, without which all of their spectacular gifts amounted to nothing. This chapter focuses on love, a theme found throughout Paul's discussion of worship, and emphasizes the importance of the edification of others.

Today pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 12:21-26, The idea of the church as the body of Christ was an important metaphor for Paul because it represented the unity that believers share in Christ in a way that most people could understand. The church can not function properly if it does not enlist the contributions of each of its members.

Pastor Ed is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 12:14-20. Diversity is no accidental attribute of the body. It is of its very essence. No one member is to be equated with the body. It takes many members to make up one body. The whole discussion is placed on the highest level, for the members are not in the body haphazardly; God has arranged them, or better, ‘put’ them. Every one of them brings out the point that God’s care does not extend only to the more important and spectacular. His oversight and creativity extend to every member of the body. He made them all just as he wanted them to be (‘ just as he willed’).

Today, Pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Paul warned against identifying the Spirit with only one manifestation in the church. The gifts of the Spirit are manifold, and each is important in the worship of God and the ministry of the church.

Today, Pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Paul explained the role of the gifts of the Spirit in worship, beginning with the value of diverse gifts in the worship of God. He discussed the issue in three main sections: identifying the Spirit, the unity and diversity of the Spirit's manifestations, and the unity and diversity of members in the body. The Corinthians’ pagan background made them susceptible to being misled by supernatural manifestations. Paul told them how to identify those who spoke by the Spirit.

Today pastor Ed is preaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 11, beginning at verse 17. The Corinthians had so twisted the celebration of the Lord's Supper that it was hardly recognizable. To correct this problem, Paul applied the three principles which he employed in each subject related to worship. He appealed to: (1) the honor of God in worship, (2) proper regard from one believer to another, and (3) the testimony of the church to outsiders. Paul insisted that the Lord's Supper at Corinth no longer met these criteria.

Pastor Eddie is teaching from 1 Corinthians chapter 11 beginning at verse 2. Paul asserted that three parallel relationships exist: (1) Christ in relation to every man; (2) man in relation to woman; and (3) God (the Father) in relation to Christ. Many details of this passage remain obscure for modern readers, but some aspects are clear. Paul instructed the Corinthian men and women to honor each other in worship. To do otherwise was to present unacceptable worship before God.

Today Pastor Eddie will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 9:15-18. In order to encourage the Corinthians to forfeit their rights for the sake of other Christians, Paul described his entire ministry as one of sacrifice and accommodation to others. This passage brings this perspective to bear on our relationships with other people, especially fellow believers. We should not seek our own rights and privileges but the good of others. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Today Pastor Ed will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. In this passage the apostle continued his thoughts on the importance of love and service over dogmatic doctrinal attitudes. He did so by illustrating from his own life the importance of serving others. Unfortunately, the premium we place on personal liberty often does not disappear when we become followers of Christ. In fact, we often transfer our freedom ideals into our faith. We think we should follow Christ any way we see fit, so long as we don't hurt anyone. Let's talk more about it. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Today Pastor Eddie will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 8:1-7. After answering their questions about marriage, Paul turned to one of the most controversial subjects in the letter he received from the Corinthian church: “Can Christians eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols?” The immediate question does not interest believers today since we do not face that problem. But the wider issue of “Christian liberty” does apply to us, because we face questions that Paul never faced. Is it right for Christians to attend the theater? Should a believer have a television set in his home? To what extent can a Christian get involved in politics? Christ has given his followers much freedom in many areas of life, but this freedom was never intended to be used to harm others. Thank you for your support and prayers.

We're glad you're here! Today we celebrate the life, death and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ. Pastor Ed will be preaching from the Gospel of John chapter 20:1-18. The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands unrivaled as the most radical event in history. The resurrection is an essential part of the gospel message (1 Cor. 15:1–8) and a key doctrine in the Christian faith. It proves that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 2:32–36; Rom. 1:4) and that His atoning work on the cross has been completed and is effective (Rom. 4:24–25). The empty cross and the empty tomb are God’s “receipts” telling us that the debt has been paid. Jesus Christ is not only the Savior, but He is also the Sanctifier (Rom. 6:4–10) and the Intercessor (Rom. 8:34). One day He shall return as Judge (Acts 17:30–31). Thank you for your support and prayers.

Today we continue our series, Covenant Stewards. Marriage. Singleness. Betrothal. Pastor Eddie will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 7:36-40 with the theme, Betrothal & Remarriage. Paul intended to help the Corinthians live in proper devotion to the Lord, not to restrict them by giving them new rules to follow. To make sure they understood this, he offered two final concessions regarding marriage between those who were already engaged and those who had been widowed. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Today we continue our series, Covenant Stewards. Marriage. Singleness. Betrothal. Pastor Ed will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 7:25-35 with the theme, Lifestyle & Devotion. Paul wanted the Corinthians to discard their worldly perspectives that emphasized personal spiritual status and led to arrogance and divisions. He taught them to adopt an eternal perspective, which would help them weather their time of crisis. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Today pastor Eddie teaches from 1 Corinthians 7:18-24. Paul digressed to discuss a guiding rule established for all the churches: each believer should retain the place in life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. Throughout this passage Paul spoke of God's calls to believers, calls both to salvation and to various tasks. This emphasis on “call” expanded his statement in verse 15 that “God has called us to live in peace.” Believers live in peace partly by knowing and following God's call.

Today pastor Ed teaches from 1 Corinthians chapter 7:10-17. The Corinthians lived in difficult times. In their world, society did not value marriage as God does. The modern church finds itself in constant conflict with its culture when it comes to issues of marriage and divorce. Paul addressed divorce between two believers and divorce between a believer and an unbeliever. The only way someone can look at the wrong person in his or her marriage and for that person to become the right person in his or her marriage is to be able to know that the perfectly right person has come for the wrong person—for all of us.

Today we continue our series, Covenant Stewards. Marriage. Singleness. Betrothal. Pastor Eddie will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 with the theme, Singleness & Widowhood. In the Christian ideal, spouses must not deprive partners sexually except by mutual consent and for a time, and only for special religious purposes: that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Throughout the Old Testament, times of special religious devotion, such as prayer and fasting, included sexual abstinence (1 Sam. 21:4–5). Paul made it apparent that such practices were to be carried over into the New Testament as well. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Pastor Eddie will be preaching from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. In this chapter Paul exposed the pagan practice of religious prostitution for what it truly was. He called on the Corinthians to take on a Christian outlook and to reject the views of their surrounding culture. There was a great deal of sexual laxness in the city of Corinth. It was a permissive society with a philosophy similar to that which the world has today: Sex is a normal physical function, so why not use it as you please? Paul pointed out that God created sex when He made the first man and woman, and therefore He has the right to tell us how to use it. The Bible is the “owner’s manual” and it must be obeyed. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Pastor Eddie preaches/teaches today from 1 Corinthians chapter 5. The church at Corinth was not only a divided church, but it was also a disgraced church. There was sin in the assembly and, sad to say, everybody knew about it. But the church was slow to do anything about it. No church is perfect, but human imperfection must never be an excuse for sin. Just as parents must discipline their children in love, so local churches must exercise discipline over the members of the assembly. Church discipline is not a group of “pious policemen” out to catch a criminal. Rather, it is a group of brokenhearted brothers and sisters seeking to restore an erring member of the family. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Pastor Eddie will be preaching from 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 which deals with the true nature of the church. Divisive loyalties to human leaders are not only contrary to the nature of leadership in the church, but also to the nature of the church. In this section, Paul demonstrated that the church of Christ is too wonderful to be caught up in following human celebrities. Paul pointed first to the sanctity of the church. He wanted the Corinthians to understand how special they were in God's eyes, and how their status as the temple of God required a particular kind of leadership. Leaders must not serve the church with human wisdom, but with divine wisdom from the Spirit, because the church is holy before God. Thank you for your support and prayers.