Notes of Faith March 31, 2026

Notes of Faith March 31, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 17, 2002

“GOING FOR THE GOLD”

Hebrews 12:1-2

I am sure many of us have been watching the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City the past few days. Lots of athletes have been going for the gold medal. How thrilling to see an American sweep in the Men’s Half Pipe event! We watched with anticipation the Pair’s Figure Skating. Would Russia be dethroned after 40 years of winning the gold? The Canadian team performed flawlessly following the Russian’s performance that, although lovely, had several mistakes. The audience gave a standing ovation to the Canadians and the announcers shouted, “They’ve done it! The Canadians have won the gold!” And then came the scores and the judges had placed Canada second.

Heartbreak was evident for the Canadian pair whose flawless performance, from where we were sitting, should have put them on top. Many felt that politics had entered that phase of the Olympics.

Thank God there will be no politics in Heaven. We Christians are in a race. Unlike the secular races it is possible for all of God’s people to win the gold – the prize set before us, because God, Who sees perfectly, judges accurately. In Hebrews 12:1 we read:

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us - - -

A great crowd of witnesses has already run the race and all gained the prize.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Just as the Olympic contenders have to abide by the rules set down by the racing commission so we, too, have rules in the Christian race we must carefully follow if we hope to win the gold.

1. “Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.”

2. “Run with endurance the race set before us.”

What is our incentive to run well? Rather, Who is our incentive?

- - - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Jesus, the greatest runner of all time, endured the ultimate discipline to gain the honor of position at the right hand of the Father. The gold was His. He earned it legitimately.

So, in going for the gold we must enter into the discipline of the Lord. We lay aside anything that holds us back and accept the fallout of the cross. We hang in there in His power, always keeping our focus on Jesus. With His help you can do that! So can I.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Any of you who have had a job of any kind…I was assigned taking out the kitchen trash bag at age three by great parents, that were teaching me that work will always need to be done, sometimes causing pain and much physical suffering. But there are rewards: doing a job to the best of your ability, receiving payment for your hard work, learning to do even better. But the best work will not get you into heaven! That is a free gift of God through believing faith in Jesus Christ. The work that follows faith builds treasures in heaven to be revealed when we get there. If we continue in sin we lose opportunity to be building those treasures. What could we be doing instead of sinning? Let us follow as closely to Jesus as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit within and reach out to take the hand of others and help them in this race where distractions abound to keep us from winning. The crown of righteousness is waiting for you to cross the finish line!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 30, 2026

Notes of Faith March 30, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Romans Chapter 7

February 10, 2002

“LIFE IN CHRIST – NOT LIFE UNDER THE LAW”

Romans 7:1-6

In Romans 6 Paul pointed out that before we came to Christ we were dead in our sins, a virtual slave to sin under the Law, but once we have embraced Christ as our Saviour, we are now no longer under the Law but alive to God in Christ Jesus and a servant of His.

Now in chapter 7, to further emphasize our life in Christ and the hopelessness of life under the Law, Paul brings in a brilliant illustration or example. He reminds us that the Law has jurisdiction over a person as long as that person is alive. He further states that a married woman is automatically bound by law to her husband while he is living. But, if her husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.

Or do you not know brethren,(for I am speaking to those who know the law, that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then if, while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another man.

Paul now makes the application.

Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

We were in the flesh through Adam and sin was steadily at work in us – aroused by the Law (for don’t we naturally want to do the things we are told we can’t do?) And the result of that sin is death!

A wise man once said that the best way to know God’s estimate of sin is to realize the tremendous price it took to atone for sin, the death of His Son.

Verse 6 is the clincher:

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

The interpretation: Adam was our first husband. Through Adam we were bound by the Law of the flesh it do its bidding. We could not serve God. But on the cross Adam was crucified in Christ. We were in Adam, so we died in Adam on the cross - - - BUT we were raised up with Christ, so we share our life in Him and under His law to serve God in newness of life.

Beloved, let this sink in. We are no longer required to serve under the old law of our first husband. We are free to serve under the new law of our second husband, Jesus Christ. Again I say, “Praise, hallelujah!”

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 6:14

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

The desires of the flesh are strong but the power and authority of our Master and Savior are infinitely stronger. We are free in Christ to NOT serve the authority of sin, Satan and death! Remember the One who died that you might have this freedom and redemption from death to life every time you are tempted, every time an impure thought comes into your mind. Do not act on those thoughts and temptations. You are free to do the good things that God has prepared for you and will reward you for doing in His name! Praise be to God for a life free from the shackles of sin!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 29, 2026

Notes of Faith March 29, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

February 3, 2002

Series: Romans Chapter 6

“THE GIFT OF GOD”

Romans 6:19-23

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul has just presented the fact that believers are no longer slaves to sin. By faith in Jesus Christ we are now slaves to God.

He now assures them that he is speaking in simple human terms for their understanding and ours. He reminds us that in our unsaved state we presented the members of our bodies as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness! Now in our new servanthood we are to present our members as slaves to righteousness resulting in a life set apart to God.

When we served sin, we had no part with righteousness. He now asks a very logical question. Were we deriving any benefit from those things of which we are now ashamed – for those things lead to death?

He follows up with another logical statement. Since we have been liberated from sin and are now enslaved to God, we derive blessed benefits that lead to a life set apart to God with the outcome eternal life! Sin has wages which separate us from God but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Praise Him, hallelujah!

But one question! How do we plug into eternal life today? Paul tells us it is through sanctification. Let’s break this down a little. Colossians 3:1-3 clarifies this for us. Since we have been raised with Christ and seated with Him at the right hand of God, we are to keep on seeking the things above. We are to actively set our minds on things above and not on earthly pleasures. The reason takes us back to Romans 6. We have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God.

Beloved, where are we setting our minds these days? Are we tangled up in the lure of the world or are we actively seeking the things that please our Lord? Let’s work on that aspect.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Rom 12:1-2

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

True love is sacrificial. It is a giving up of one’s desires for the desires of another. This could not be more true than in our relationship with God. He loved us when we were His enemy and gave His Son who became a sacrifice for us. He gave His sinless life yet taking on all the sin of mankind, to pay the price for our redemption to God, a debt we could not pay. We were condemned and could only expect the wrath of God were it not for the sacrifice of Jesus! Believe in Him, love Him, worship Him!

John 14:15

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 15:10-11

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Let us take up our cross daily, follow Jesus, sacrifice ourselves in obedience to God’s commandments that we might grow spiritually, sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others, that they might know Christ and grow in Him to maturity, sacrifice ourselves, forsaking the temptations and lusts of this world that we might be rewarded with an eternal inheritance from God that is beyond our imagination!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 28, 2026

Notes of Faith March 28, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

January 20, 2002

Series: Romans Chapter 6

“GETTING OUT OF THE BOAT”

in Romans 6:12-14

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.

In Romans 6:11 the fact was established that we are connected with the crucified and risen Christ which allows us to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

So what responsibilities do we have as a result of that wonderful fact? We are to “walk on water!” “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you may obey its lusts.” We are to take vital action (and get out of the boat) based upon what our Lord has done. We are to exercise our wills and give sin no place in our mortal bodies.

Sin is still present in our bodies but we are not to let it call the shots for us. The way we do this is to remember that sin has its outlet and expression in and through our body members. At the first hint of yielding to temptation we need to ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to resist. We are no longer to yield or present the members of our body to sin’s demands as instruments of unrighteousness, but present or yield our members to God “as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Our eyes are to focus upon that which pleases God. Our minds are to concentrate and dwell on material that is oriented to our God. The same is true with the rest of our bodies. Why? “For sin shall not be master over us” as in the past. “For we are no longer under law but under grace!”

Grace is the ruling factor in our lives now. What a glorious reality! That should put gas in our tank and give us spizerinctum!! But how do we do this, beloved? We do it by faith. We get out of the boat (not easy but oh, so rewarding!) and do a water walk.

God bless you and happy water walking!

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

When you awake in the morning, put on the full armor of God…

Eph 6:10-17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I pray for all true followers of Jesus that we might be prepared each day for the battle(s) that await us. Those of you that God has blessed me with during my years on earth are prayed for every time He brings you to my mind. I pray that God has used me to bless you as you have blessed me. May we walk together with Christ, now and forevermore!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 27, 2026

Notes of Faith March 27, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

December 9, 2001

“WHEN GLORY APPEARS”

Titus 2:13, 14

Looking for that blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

In our last Pen Pulpit we talked about when Grace appeared (Titus 2:11, 12). This, of course, referred to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came to provide salvation to the human race and for that salvation to run it’s course in this phase of God’s plan in which we are living – the Age of Grace.

It has been 2,000 years since His birth. Every day, through missionary effort throughout the world, thousands of people are plugging into that plan. However, one day that part of His plan will be completed. The last person will come to Christ through faith. The body will be complete and will be caught up to glory (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). Shortly following that event will come the appearance of His Glory (Revelation 19:11-16).

We Christians live in the hope of that event every day of our lives. So did Christians before us. Living in constant expectation of the appearing of His glory does something for us:

1. It instills in us true expectation (verse 13). We run into hope all over the New Testament. Hope is everywhere. God will not let us avoid it nor should we want to (cf. John 14:3, Matthew 24, Colossians 3:1-3, Romans 8:18-25, I John 3:3). The grace of God instills the expectation of the return of Jesus Christ in the hearts of Christians.

2. It provides emancipation (verse 14a). Emancipation/redemption touches all areas of life “redeem us from every lawless deed”. Sin is like quicksand. The harder people struggle to free themselves from the hard core of life - the deeper into its deadly mire they sink e.g. drugs, alcohol, sex. Jesus Christ is the only true emancipation.

3. It produces true sanctification (verse 14b). How does God purify us? He uses two sanctifying agents: The Holy Spirit (II Cor. 3:18); The Holy Scriptures (Eph. 5:25-30), however the Christian is to participate in this purification (I John 3:3).

4. It promotes true representation (verse 14c). Good works emanate from a life that is pure before God. Good works are the issue of sanctification - not an aid to sanctification. Good works are a true representation of God in a hostile world (Matt. 5:14-16; Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:8).

Beloved, in light of the above, let us re-evaluate our reason for being here. What an impact on the world we will have if we, as truly emancipated people, live godly lives in the expectation of the appearance of His Glory. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

I can’t remember a time after being saved that I did not want to be with Jesus. Those that daydream about living in a different time in history cannot beat being here during the last three years of Jesus’ life on earth. How could we, at this time in history, not want to be alive when Jesus calls for His bride, (the church), to be with Him forever?

1 Thess 4:13-18

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Cor 15:50-58

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

We comfort one another with the fact that Jesus is coming again. Our hope is in the person of Jesus! Therefore our hope is not a wish or want or even strong desire. Jesus, Himself said that He would return to take those who believe in Him to be with Him forever. We pray (sincerest hope) that the day will be soon! But, until then, we have work to do, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, that His death, burial, and resurrection, make it possible for a person to be forgiven of his/her sin, be saved from the wrath of God, and be taken from death (the earnings of sin) and receive eternal life!

Maybe you will be the one to lead the last one to believe in Jesus during the church age…and as my wife says, “He’s gonna toot and we’re gonna scoot!” The trumpet will sound and the church, dead first, then those who are alive, will meet Him in the clouds and be taken to heaven, to return with Him to earth at His second coming! Be faithful in the work God has given you, to speak truth in love, bringing as many as possible to the throne of grace, to receive salvation, to grow toward the image of Jesus, and finally to be made new, without sin, in the glory of what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Pray for yourself and what God has planned for your life and His work for you. Pray for those that will hear the good news of Jesus Christ through you relationship with them. Pray for it to be the will of the Lord Jesus to come quickly!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 26, 2026

Notes of Faith March 26, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

December 2, 2001

“WHEN GRACE APPEARED”

Titus 2:11, 12

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.

Titus 2:11-14 puts the Christmas message in shoe leather. In this passage there are two appearings: the appearing of His Grace (v.11), and the appearing of His Glory (v.13). The appearing of His grace extends from the incarnation (Christ’s birth) throughout the Church Age or the Age of Grace. The appearing of His glory (His second coming) terminates the Age of Grace. This morning we will look at the appearing of His grace.

1. The Manifestation of the Grace of God in History [v.11]

The manner in which the grace of God appeared – The definition of appear is “to bring to light - to uncover - to fully make known.” The appearance of grace is personified in Jesus Christ. God uses a variety of expressions to declare this historic event. (Gal 4:5; John 1:14; Luke 2:11) Perhaps the most significant is “the grace of God”, for this defined man’s greatest need which is seen in the motive of the appearing of the Grace of God:

For the Law was given through Moses, grace, and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:17

The motive in the appearing of the Grace of God

II Timothy 1:9-10 tells us that Christ brought salvation to all men. Salvation is not universally applied to all men - but universally available: salvation sufficient to save any and all - but efficient only to those who come in faith (Isaiah 55:1).

2. The Manifestation of the Grace of God in Human Lives [v. 12]

As children of God we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly and sensibly, with soundness of mind. A mind that is set in proper balance. A mind that has gained mastery over self through the salvation that frees from the shackles of sin.

A believer should have control of himself (Proverbs 16:32, 25:28). When the Holy Spirit has control of you, you have control of yourself. To live righteously means that our outward conduct compliments the righteous character of God which evokes God’s approval.

Christians should be godly (reverent) as they are the closest view of God that the ungodly sees. Are you a showcase for the world to see God? Am I?

Christians should live godly in this present evil age. This world is our playing field, our battleground, our arena. This is where living takes place. This is where testimonies are accepted or rejected.

Have you been active on the battlefield, in the arena this week? Let’s take a fresh look at the Grace of God and let our lives reflect that Grace.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Having a love for sports, I enjoy biblical references that teach principles of truth through sports illustrations. There are stretching exercises and various tests of strength and speed to prepare for the game. We are living in the game of “life” and we need to be prepared to win! God has given us, in His Word, disciplines of preparation, that when practiced effectively, we are guaranteed to win! May we all desire to get in the game, run as though to win, with all of the preparation that God has given, in order to be welcomed into the joy of our Master when we finish the race of life!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 25, 2026

Notes of Faith March 25, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

November 11, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN”

Romans 5:20-21

And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this final section of Roman 5 Paul talks about two reigns: the reign of sin and the reign of grace. First then, the reign of sin under the law.

He really gives to us the essential purpose of bringing in the law. “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase.” That is to say, the law came with all of it commands and restrictions so that, in the light of the Holy Law of God, the transgression (our sins) might loom large. The Law is, then, the revelation of God’s character.

But with the increase of the revelation of what sin is all about, under the illumination of the Law, grace abounded all the more. Grace surpassed sin. The contrast now grows greater, as sin reigned in death. The only possible conclusion is that sin ends in death.

Even so, by way of contrast, grace (in Jesus Christ) would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord – the only possible conclusion.

What a thrilling reality! God’s marvelous grace reigns daily in the lives of God’s children! Sin is no longer king in my life and your life, beloved. Grace is now king.

Are you still struggling under some sin that refuses to let go of its control in your life? Reflect upon this great liberation passage in Romans 5.

So this chapter begins with the peace of God through justification:

Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 1).

and concludes with the grace of God reigning through righteousness:

. . . so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (v. 21).

which naturally leads us to chapter 6 where all of this wonderful truth is explained further. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

There is a tendency in all of us to think, if not say, that since God’s grace reigns over my sin, I can keep on enjoying a life of sin without fear of God’s wrath.

Rom 6:1-19

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

2 Tim 2:22

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Eph 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

Eph 5:25-27

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

1 Peter 1:15-16

like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength continually, always, every moment, will lead to will glorify God whose desire and promise is to make us into the image of His Son Jesus! Sin WAS our master. You have a new master in the Lord Jesus Christ and are set free from the reign of sin over you. This is truth! We need to act upon this truth. Fight the good fight.

Heb 12:4

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;

Jesus shed His blood for your sin. Every time you sin, you should remember the blood that was shed for you.

Jesus said, “Follow Me”, His perfect life to imitate…

The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.”

Let us fervently pursue Jesus, as each day brings us closer to His return…

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 24, 2026

Notes of Faith March 24, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

November 4, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“CONDEMNATION VS. JUSTIFICATION”

Romans 5:18-19

Today we continue the thoughts of Romans 5. Verses 18 and 19 sum up, in a concise form, the Apostle Paul’s teaching beginning in verse 12. In verse 17 we learn that the reign of death came upon all men through the transgression of the one (Adam.) Then Paul reminds us that for those in Christ, because of His work on the cross, there comes the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.

In verse 18 the “so then” encapsulates verses 12-17:

So then as through the one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

We should be ready to remind men that they are already under God’s righteous condemnation because of our relationship to Adam. It doesn’t matter what we have done. Our condemnation comes from who we are related to, which results in our actions.

In the same way justification of life comes to all believers through one act of righteousness – Jesus dying on the cross.

Then comes the issue of disobedience versus obedience:

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous (v. 19).

Adam disobeyed God, thus making the many (the human race) sinners. In the same way through the obedience of one man, Jesus, the many will be made righteous (cf. Philippians 2:5-8.)

We are to follow the way of the Righteous One in obedience. God never said this would be easy. But He did say it would be possible! What a contrast:

disobedience = unrighteous = condemnation (to eternal separation from God)

obedience = righteous = justification (declared righteous by God)!

Reflect on these precious doctrines as this is where the believer’s strength comes from. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Our relationship to Adam is earthly and physical (we were in his loins when he sinned against God). Our relationship with God is spiritual and eternal. We did not have to believe in Adam nor follow in his footsteps of sin, though all mankind does so, to be condemned by God. The entire human race, and for that matter, all of creation was condemned because of Adam’s sin. But in order to be saved from the penalty of our sin (death and eternal separation from God), we must believe in the only One who could pay our debt to God for our sin. Jesus’ work of sacrificing His own perfect and sinless life to the Father for our sin made forgiveness and redemption possible. We cannot earn our way to God by any amount of good works. Good works are an outpouring of salvation and redemption. Acts that follow believing faith in Jesus because of the work He has done on our behalf.

1 John 4:19

We love, because He first loved us.

John 14:15

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

This is obedience… Though we still live in the flesh that desires to sin, we must fight against those thoughts and actions and pursue the righteousness of Jesus daily! Disobedience brought death. Jesus’ death and resurrection brings life to those who believe in Him, repent of their sin and seek pure and holy lives.

Because of what God has done to redeem sinful mankind, we should be fervent in our desire to obey Him, to live every moment pleasing to our heavenly Father, looking forward to the day we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 23, 2026

Notes of Faith March 23, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 28, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“ADAM AND CHRIST IN CONTRAST”

Romans 5:15-17

I must confess that the following verses are extremely complicated. We’ll work through each thought very carefully.

We have seen that in verse 14 Adam is a type of Christ in contrast. Now that contrast is explained.

But the free gift is NOT like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many (verse 15).

Paul says that free gift is not like the transgression. Through the transgression of the one man, Adam, the many (all) died. Much more did the grace of God and the gift of grace through the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. That is, in its restorative effect grace surpassed the transgression. This is saying that we got much more in Christ than we lost in Adam.

This thought continues in verses 16 and 17:

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgression resulting in justification.

For if the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

1. Through the transgression of the one (Adam) the many died. This means that the effects of Adam’s sin extended to the whole of the human race.

2. In a much greater degree, the restorative grace of God extended to the many who believe. This takes us beyond where Adam was in his innocence and exalts us to the heavenlies in Christ.

External judgment came to all men through the one who sinned (Adam). On the other hand, the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. That is to say the many transgressions (the sins of the entire human race) caused by the one transgression of Adam were put upon Jesus Christ on the cross. This resulted in justification for all believers through the one act of the Last Adam (Jesus).

My suggestion is that you read carefully through this complex passage to grasp the wonderful truth that the Holy Spirit is conveying to us. God bless.

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

One of the greatest struggles of mankind is to understand that every person has a condition of judgment placed on them because of sin. It is a condition that they cannot fix or change on their own. All too often, man strives to act as God in his world and believes that anything is possible in his own power and strength.

Sin brought about decay and death! If we had not lost relationship with God… if Adam had not sinned, he would still be living with us today. Only the work of Jesus, paying for our sin, and redeeming our lives for God gives us opportunity for abundant life now and eternal life with Jesus! I pray that you have come to recognize what a permanent separation from God means…an eternal life of judgment in hell…but the love of God for us is poured out through the perfect and sinless life of Jesus, sacrificed to the Father for our sin. Only faith in Jesus and belief in His death and resurrection will give you true life!

Come to Jesus, confessing your sin, asking for forgiveness, and turning away from the sin that separates you from God. Grow in His grace and mercy daily and share with others what He has done for you in taking you from death to life!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith March 22, 2026

Notes of Faith March 22, 2026

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

October 14, 2001

Series: Romans Chapter 5

“SIN’S CHANNEL INTO THE WORLD”

Romans 5:12

This verse takes us back to Romans 3:23:

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Now we pick up this thought in Romans 5:12:

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.

This verse does three things:

1. It unequivocally includes all people in the category of sin. There isn’t one person – man, woman or child – who is not included in the divine indictment. Moms and dads, you well know that soon after that sweet little angel came into this world that sin was present in his/her makeup.

2. It identifies the source of that sin: through one man. This man is Adam. Sin passed down from our first father.

3. It tells us when we sinned. Look at the words “because all sinned.” Not all have sinned though this is true. But all sinned – an Aorist tense in the Greek. All sinned at a point in time. When? The entire human race was resident in Adam when he sinned. I sinned when he sinned and so did you.

Example: When Grandpa came from Ireland many years ago, I came from Ireland in Grandpa. I was in his loins. See how it works? We never have to teach our little ones to lie or throw a temper tantrum. Where did they get that tendency? It was in their hearts from birth. So let’s pray for and attempt to lead our children and grandchildren to Christ as soon as possible.

Some people will not accept this truth but there it is, both in the Bible and in human experience.

Thank God we have His answers to man’s problems. Amen? God bless each of you as we contemplate these solemn truths…

Love to you all,

Pastor Charles Covington

Sin is our nature. We sinned in Adam and we sin because of the nature of our heart. Believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings salvation, forgiveness and renewed relationship with God, but it does not remove the sin nature while we yet live in this world. This nature continues to fight against the Spirit of God that is given to us at the moment of believing faith in Jesus. The more we dwell on the things of God, His will for us, obeying His commandments, the more we are led by the Spirit in decisions and actions we make, instead of the sinful nature that wants only to please itself and leads to destruction and death. May you call on the Lord Jesus to be your Savior today, to know and understand truth about yourself and God, and continue to grow in His grace and mercy day by day…and telling others about the blessing of moving from death to life in Jesus!

Pastor Dale