Episodes

  • Believing in the Son of God | 1 John 5:5

    Believing in the Son of God | 1 John 5:5
    Mar 15 2026

    Lord's Day: March 15, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Topic: Union with Christ Scripture: 1 John 5:5; John 17:3; 1 Timothy 5:25; John 14:28; Matthew 28:17; John 9:35–39; Matthew 16:13–17; John 5:17–24; 19:7; Hebrews 13:8–9; Titus 2:13; 1 John 1:3; 5:20

    5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5

    • "Faith” is not just a verb—it is also a noun.

    I. What does it mean to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

    • The Apostle John emphasizes believing, receiving, knowing, confessing, seeing, abiding over 100 times in this letter.
    • John 17:3

    II. How is Jesus the Son of God?

    • Arianism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism
    • Matthew 28:17, John 9:35-39

    III. What saith the Scripture?

    • Matthew 16:13–17; John 5:17–24, 19:7

    IV. One of the primary subjects of John’s entire letter...

    • Icthus: "Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Uἱός Σωτήρ", "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior"

    Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
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  • Victorious Faith in Our Overcoming Faith | 1 John 5:4-5

    Victorious Faith in Our Overcoming Faith | 1 John 5:4-5
    Mar 8 2026

    Lord's Day: March 8, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Topic: Doctrines of Grace Scripture: 1 John 5:4–5; Jude 3; Hebrews 5:12; Romans 12:1; Psalm 9:10; Acts 20:27; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:10; Jude 13; Genesis 49:4; Ephesians 4:14; Matthew 11:7; 2 Peter 2:1; Zechariah 4:6; John 18:33–37; Romans 8:37–39; 2 Corinthians 2:14–17; Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12; Revelation 19:11–15; 1:15; Colossians 1:21–23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 3:14–21

    4For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the overcoming that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4–5

    I. What is this “faith” that overcomes the world?

    • Personal faith? Or the faith? Body of divinity?
    • Thomas Watson: "The second proposition is, that the way for Christians to be settled—is to be well grounded. "If you continue grounded and settled" (Colossians 1:23). The Greek word for grounded is a metaphor which alludes to a building that has the foundation well laid. So Christians should be grounded in the essential points of true religion, and have their foundation well laid."

    II. Overcoming by believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

    • Verb tenses are important in the Bible, to maintain proper balance and distinction of the law and the gospel, to avoid confusing primary doctrines, such as distinguishing justification (one time act) and sanctification (progressive, ongoing).

    III. How do we overcome the world?

    IV. Not by might…not by sight…

    • Zechariah 4:6, John 18:33-37, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12, Revelation 19:11–15

    Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
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  • Born of God for Victory | 1 John 5:4-5

    Born of God for Victory | 1 John 5:4-5
    Mar 1 2026

    Lord's Day: March 1, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Topic: Typology Scripture: 1 John 5:1–5; John 3:16; 1:9, 12–13; 1 John 4:4–6; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9; 2:13; Exodus 12:50–51; Jude 5; Hebrews 3:14–19; Numbers 21:5–9; 1 Corinthians 10:9; John 3:14–15; Numbers 14:13–14; Isaiah 63:10–14; Romans 8:37–39

    4For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the overcoming that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4–5

    I. Why the word “everything” (pan, v. 4) instead of “everyone” (pas, v. 1)?

    II. This is partly why we seek to baptize only true believers who "have been born of God..."

    • Westminster Larger Catechism (MESV), Q. 165. What is baptism? A. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, in which Christ has ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection to everlasting life; and by which the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.

    III. What is this “world” that we believing conquerors overcome?

    • First define key terms, otherwise you cannot make proper sense of the passage.
    • Context is king.

    IV. Born of God…the Father

    • Need to account more carefully for what both the Old and New Testaments reveal about Christ.
    • The Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics, Article III. WE AFFIRM that the Person and work of Jesus Christ are the central focus of the entire Bible. WE DENY that any method of interpretation which rejects or obscures the Christ-centeredness of Scripture is correct.

    Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
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  • Unburdened by Love | 1 John 5:3

    Unburdened by Love | 1 John 5:3
    Feb 22 2026

    Lord's Day: February 22, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Topic: Law & Gospel Distinction Scripture: 1 John 5:3; 4:10, 19; Ephesians 2:1–16; James 1:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 7:11–8:2; James 4:1–7; Romans 1:16–17; Matthew 11:25–30; Galatians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:6–7

    3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

    • Intricate, harmonious connection between love, faith, and obedience—on love visibly manifested and applied

    I. His commandments are not burdensome.

    • Why are God’s commandments not burdensome for believers? Because of God’s love.

    II. “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come…”

    • If the law of God is not burdensome, then why do we still struggle with burdens?
    • Romans 7:12-8:2

    III. The source of quarrels and conflicts among you.

    • James 4:1-7

    IV. My burden is light.

    • Matthew 11:25-30
    • 1 Peter 5:6-7

    Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
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  • To Be, or Not to Be, God-Breathed? | 2 Kings 17:13-14

    To Be, or Not to Be, God-Breathed? | 2 Kings 17:13-14
    Feb 15 2026
    Lord's Day: February 15, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: It Is Written: Scripture Alone Topic: Authority Scripture: 2 Kings 17:13–14; Nehemiah 8:1–8; Psalm 119:1; Matthew 23:1–3; Romans 3:2; Colossians 1:9–10; Psalm 19:7–8 13Yet Yahweh warned Israel and Judah by the hand of all His prophets and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by the hand of My slaves the prophets.” 14However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in Yahweh their God. 2 Kings 17:13–14 The OT is full of the same synecdoches we saw in the NT that point to either a larger part of, or the whole of, the OT—the Law, the Prophets, the Law and the Prophets, etc. I. To Be, or Not to Be, God-Breathed? That Is the Church’s Question II. The Jews, the Pharisees, and Josephus III. The Roman Catholic Church-State Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam: “…we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”[1]The early church was highly varied and diverse, not monolithic, and in many ways was unlike any of the major denominations we see today. IV. The Roman Catholic Canon The first time that the Roman Catholic Church defined her canon of the Bible dogmatically—was during the Council of Trent (1546): "But if any one receive not, as sacred and canonical, these same books entire with all their parts, as they have been used to be read in the Catholic Church, and as they are contained in the old Latin vulgate edition; and knowingly and deliberately despise the traditions aforesaid; let him be anathema [eternally condemned].” V. Eastern Orthodoxy: The Other “One True Church” & Her Bible(s) Russian Orthodox Catechism of Philaret (1782-1867) of Moscow (1830), "Examined and Approved by the Most Holy Governing Synod [of the Russian Orthodox Church], and Published for the Use of Schools, and of all Orthodox Christians, by Order of His Imperial Majesty," affirms the Protestant canon instead, contradicting the earlier 1672 Synod of Jerusalem. VI. The Russian Orthodox Canon of Scripture VII. The 1672 Council of Jerusalem “The 1672 Synod of Jerusalem…rejected any further attempts at reformulation [and reformation] of Orthodox teachings and strengthened Orthodox beliefs against both the Protestant Reformation and Catholicism. The Synod produced...the Confession of Dositheus (Patriarch of Jerusalem), in which point by point it refuted Cyril [Lucaris’] eighteen points. In addition, it added four catechetical style questions that defended the restriction of reading and study of Scripture to the priests, defended the role of tradition, as well as a lengthy defense of the veneration of icons and prayers to the saints [and defined the canon of Scripture to go against Protestantism].”[2] We meet on Sundays for worship at 10:00am: ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church4712 Montana Ave El Paso, Texas 79903 Contact us at: web: ThornCrownCovenant.Churchcall/text: (915) 843-8088email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com Scripture quotations marked LSB are from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com [1] Unam Sanctam - Papal Encyclicals, Pope Boniface VIII (December 24, 1294 - October 11, 1303), 18 November 1302 . [2] ‘The Confession of Dositheus (The Eastern Orthodox Synod of Jerusalem of 1672)’, ed. by Dennis Bratcher, The Voice, .
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  • It Is Written: The Only Infallible Authorities of God | Rom. 3:4, John 8:12-19

    It Is Written: The Only Infallible Authorities of God | Rom. 3:4, John 8:12-19
    Feb 8 2026

    Lord's Day: February 8, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: It Is Written: Scripture Alone Topic: Authority Scripture: Romans 3:1–4, 9–20; John 9:34; Luke 6:39; Mark 7:13; 1 Timothy 3:15; Matthew 7:12, 29; John 8:12–19; Romans 8:16, 23–27, 34; John 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:2–13; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; Deuteronomy 18:9–14; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:2; 5:6–9; 1 Corinthians 4:6–12; Romans 11:16–24; Titus 1:9

    May it never be! Rather, let God be true and every man a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And overcome when You are judged.” Romans 3:4

    17“Even in your law it has been written that the witness of two men is true. 18“I am He who bears witness about Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me.” John 8:17–18

    • There is no such thing as an infallible human authority, for all men and women are corrupted, fallen sinners, and liars.

    I. What does infallible mean?

    • Not capable of erring (making errors)—at all
    • God-Breathed Scripture, Free Grace Broadcaster 239 (Chapel Library, 2017), https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/gbscfg/godbreathed-scripture.
    • Some traditions dogmatically affirm that it is possible for some people to be infallible (the pope), or that some people lived on earth without ever committing any personal sin, even while still suffering the other effects of the fall (Eastern Orthodoxy).
    • Romans 3:9-20

    II. Of Fallible Men & Infallible Authorities

    • John 8:12-19
    • We as believers and as the church of God already have, not one, not two, not three, but four infallible Authorities—God and His Word.

    III. Belief in infallible authorities is neither contrary to Scripture—it is Scriptural—nor is it anti-Protestant…

    • As long as infallible authorities are restricted to God and His Word alone.

    IV. Parallel Problems: Fallible Mediators & Authorities

    • Those who impose so-called “infallible” churches, traditions, popes, councils, etc., undermine and replace the authority and power of God and His Word.

    V. Why would you look to men for what God alone can provide?

    • We cannot go beyond what is written, cannot go against what is written, cannot contradict what is written—the Jesus test, Scripture test, “It is written” test, Logos test, Logic test.

    We meet on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations marked LSB are from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
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  • Sin & Righteousness According to God | Psalm 11:7, 1 John 2:1

    Sin & Righteousness According to God | Psalm 11:7, 1 John 2:1
    Feb 1 2026

    Lord's Day: February 1, 2025 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Topic: Law & Gospel Distinction Scripture: Psalm 11:7; 1 John 1:9–2:2; Deuteronomy 32:3–4; 1 John 3:4; Romans 7:13; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8; Matthew 5:29–30; Romans 8:6–8; 1 John 3:8–10; Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29; Mark 10:18; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10–12; Galatians 2:21; John 1:29; Galatians 4:4–5; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22–24; Romans 5:19; 4:3–8; 2 Corinthians 5:20–21; Ephesians 4:20–24; Philippians 3:20–21

    For Yahweh is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face. Psalm 11:7

    • Two of the most important subjects in the entire Bible: sin and righteousness

    I. “…so that you may not sin.”

    • According to God, we are all sinners, born guilty under the Law of God.
    • What is your life’s purpose? To not sin?
    • Who are you a child of?
    • The Belgic Confession, Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith

    II. The Gospel According to Righteousnesses

    • Are you righteous?
    • The Bible describes different kinds of righteousnesses with respect to God and man, which summarize the entire story of the Bible, the whole counsel of God, and reveals the true gospel to us:
    1. The Righteousness of God
    2. Original Righteousness
    3. Self-Righteousness
    4. The Righteousness of Jesus Christ
    5. The Imputed Righteousness of Believers
    6. The Renewed Righteousness of Believers
    7. The Culminated Righteousness of Believers

    An Orthodox Catechism, Question 60: How are you right with God? Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.(a) Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God's commandments and of never having kept any of them,(b) and even though I am still inclined toward all evil [in my flesh],(c) nevertheless, without my deserving it at all,(d) out of sheer grace,(e) God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,(f) as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.(g) All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.(h) (a) Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil 3:8-11 (b) Rom. 3:9-10 (c) Rom. 7:23 (d) Tit. 3:4-5 (e) Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8 (f) Rom. 4:3-5 (Gen. 15:6); 2 Cor. 5:17-19; 1 John 2:1-2 (g) Rom. 4:24-25; 2 Cor. 5:21 (h) John 3:18; Acts 16:30-31

    Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com

    See Carlos E. Montijo, ‘Series: Biblical Church Discipline’, ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church: El Paso, TX, January 2022 [accessed 25 October 2025].
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  • It Is Written: The Chair of Moses | Matthew 23:1-4

    It Is Written: The Chair of Moses | Matthew 23:1-4
    Jan 25 2026

    Lord's Day: January 25, 2025 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: It Is Written: Scripture Alone Topic: Authority Scripture: Matthew 23:1–4; Luke 4:16–21; Exodus 18:13–26; Deuteronomy 1:11–18; Ezra 10:1–6, 10–12; Nehemiah 13:23–30; Matthew 7:29; John 8:14–15, 19; 1 John 2:23; John 9:39–41; Mark 7:13

    2“The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them." Matthew 23:2–3

    • Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees, who do not practice what they preach, insofar as what they preach/teach actually agrees with Moses and the prophets, the sacred Scriptures, the written Word of God.

    I. The kathedra of Moses

    • Moses’ seat is not some extrabiblical, “infallible” tradition or authority that is outside of or independent of what is written by God.

    II. What saith the Scriptures?

    • Exodus 18:13–26, Deuteronomy 1:11–18, Ezra 10:1–6, 10–12, Nehemiah 13:23–30

    III. God always requires His leaders to be called and qualified, without hypocrisy.

    • Both then, in Israel (kings, scribes, priests, prophets, judges, etc.), and now, in the church (pastors, elders, teachers, etc.)
    • Pharisees and Sadducees emerged, and seated themselves in the authoritative teaching chair of Moses (Matt. 23:2-3)—but, were they actually called and qualified by God to do so?
    • The scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees were denounced by Christ as hypocritical, unbiblical usurpers and abusers of authority.

    We meet on Sundays for worship at 10:00am:

    • ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
      4712 Montana Ave
      El Paso, Texas 79903

    Contact us at:

    • web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
      call/text: (915) 843-8088
      email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com

    Scripture quotations marked LSB are from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
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