I’m Derek Cozine, a Reformed PCA Christian in the U.S., committed to the teachings of the Westminster Standards. For a more concise statement of faith, feel free to click the link below. I deeply love God and treasure the privilege of serving Him within His Church each day. This website is dedicated to sharing my past sermons, God-honoring resources, and edifying blog posts to help others glorify God and delight in Him forever. While the sermons here reflect my previous Baptist background, they continue to offer valuable insights for all Christians.
Call to Ministry
In August 2010, I had the opportunity to participate in an internship at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. My intention in joining this program was to strengthen my faith before heading off to college to pursue a career as a secondary education English teacher. During my time at Elevation, I was mentored by my supervisor, Paul Cunningham, who taught me the importance of theology, doctrine, and living a life of worship toward God. Through his guidance, I began to realize how ill-prepared I had been in my faith growing up due to my own choices. This was a responsibility I bore. I had relied heavily on sermons, pastors, and my parents as my main sources of spiritual nourishment. Over the course of my internship, I came to see that this is a common practice among many children and teenagers.
As the internship progressed, my passion for theology, doctrine, and the study of God’s Word was ignited. Paul encouraged me to prayerfully read through the New Testament and reflect deeply on what I was reading. When I reached John Chapter 21, the words struck me with profound significance. It felt as if God was speaking directly to me:
“Derek, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again, Jesus asked, “Derek, do you love me?”
I responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
At that moment, I knew there was no turning back. While I understand that this passage was directed at Peter, I felt a personal application. I looked back on my life and saw how I had only sought out limited influences for my understanding of God and godliness. I recognized how I had denied Jesus through my choices and how I had failed to obey Him. I knew I had a responsibility to care for the next generation, to nourish and teach them as I had needed when I was their age.
Reflecting on that moment, the passion that had been developing in me transformed into a mission. I thought of the children and teenagers who were entering their faith the same way I had—without adequate guidance due to their environment or personal choices. My heart ached for them. I could empathize with their struggles, and I felt a strong calling to help them understand Scripture, apply it to their daily lives, and deepen their relationship with God through Jesus and His Word. I am convinced in my heart that Jesus is calling me to feed His sheep, and I am committed to fulfilling that calling. This is why I am called to youth ministry, and I truly believe it is a lifelong vocation.
After completing my internship at Elevation Church, I changed my major and transferred to Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, near my hometown. Later, I transferred to Liberty University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Religion with a focus on Biblical and Theological Studies. I chose this path with the goal of reaching youth through the Bible, equipping them with the proper literacy, grammatical, and historical context to provide them with timeless applications for their daily lives. To continue my growth, I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity in Theology at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, with three semesters remaining.
As the internship progressed, my passion for theology, doctrine, and the study of God’s Word was ignited. Paul encouraged me to prayerfully read through the New Testament and reflect deeply on what I was reading. When I reached John Chapter 21, the words struck me with profound significance. It felt as if God was speaking directly to me:
“Derek, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again, Jesus asked, “Derek, do you love me?”
I responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
At that moment, I knew there was no turning back. While I understand that this passage was directed at Peter, I felt a personal application. I looked back on my life and saw how I had only sought out limited influences for my understanding of God and godliness. I recognized how I had denied Jesus through my choices and how I had failed to obey Him. I knew I had a responsibility to care for the next generation, to nourish and teach them as I had needed when I was their age.
Reflecting on that moment, the passion that had been developing in me transformed into a mission. I thought of the children and teenagers who were entering their faith the same way I had—without adequate guidance due to their environment or personal choices. My heart ached for them. I could empathize with their struggles, and I felt a strong calling to help them understand Scripture, apply it to their daily lives, and deepen their relationship with God through Jesus and His Word. I am convinced in my heart that Jesus is calling me to feed His sheep, and I am committed to fulfilling that calling. This is why I am called to youth ministry, and I truly believe it is a lifelong vocation.
After completing my internship at Elevation Church, I changed my major and transferred to Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, near my hometown. Later, I transferred to Liberty University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Religion with a focus on Biblical and Theological Studies. I chose this path with the goal of reaching youth through the Bible, equipping them with the proper literacy, grammatical, and historical context to provide them with timeless applications for their daily lives. To continue my growth, I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity in Theology at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, with three semesters remaining.
Philosophy of Ministry
As a man who has been called by God to be a servant leader to a congregation that desires to be biblically led in discipleship, I will minister to them using the Word of God and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am committing my life to the eternal souls of those under my care. It is my hope that it will promote spiritual and emotional growth in our youth. It is my calling to be a shepherd of a congregation’s youth and their families. It is my responsibility to care for them as eternal beings who are living an accountable life here in Earth. Through this belief and calling, I will help those who need or request my shepherding and fellowship. I will share Jesus, the one and only God, our true salvation.
Mission:
1. Train students of the youth ministry towards thoughtful, knowledgeable and wise biblical discipleship (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
2. Help students establish and promote genuine fellowship within the congregation, across all ages (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:25).
3. Promote a God-honoring climate and location for people to learn about and grow with God (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 12:3-13; 1 Cor. 12:25-27).
4. Engage students in outreach and service using their gifts and talents (1 Pet. 4:10; Rom. 12:6-8; Col. 3:23-25)
Vision:
1. We will grow to be a community that accepts a diverse crowd, becoming a ministry that seeks the lost and disciples the saved (Matt. 28:18-20).
2. To identify individuals within the Body of Christ to grow and cultivate Christian leaders for missions and ministries within the congregation, training them to fulfill a placement within the Church (Eph. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
3. To help students identify and use their gifts to serve God in the world (Matt. 5:14-16; Matt. 28:18-20)
Strategy:
1. Teaching God’s Word in its context to willing individuals in the youth ministry for their daily life with Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Matt. 5:14-16).
2. Instructing students to share the Scriptures to the best of their ability in society and in private for evangelism and apologetics (1 Pet. 3:15-16; 2 Tim. 4:2).
3. Being constantly in prayer for one another and for the world, looking to God and His promises (Jm. 5:13-20; 1 Thess. 5:17; Matt. 28:20).
4. Guide students to have a desire to serve and place them in a ministry that fits their gifts and skills (Eph. 2:10; Eph. 4:12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Rom. 12:6-8).
5. Promote community life in our church’s youth ministry as a welcoming entity in the Church (Heb. 10:24-25; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 12:25-27).
Values:
1. Reaching the Lost: We are not called to sit comfortably in our congregation, but to reach out to those who are without God through prayer, biblical evangelism and apologetics (Matt. 9:37-38; Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15).
2. Bearing Godly Fruit: We are called to biblical discipleship that produces godly fruit in our lives and noticeable growth by men (John 15:1-17; Matt. 7:15-20; Rom. 6:22; 1 Cor. 11:1).
3. Cherishing the Word: We are committed to the teachings of Jesus, the Word of God, through his canonized Scriptures given to us by human authors and fully inspired by God, both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16; Matt. 4:4).
4. Welcoming Fellowship: We will be an open-door Youth Ministry, inviting those who are age-appropriate in our community and our church to come to God (Matt. 5:14; Matt 24:14; Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 15:7;).
5. Godly Discipleship: Through teaching, fellowship, and discussion we will grow together and individually in our faith for God out of gratitude toward who He is and for all He has done for us (Eph. 5:1; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).
Mission:
1. Train students of the youth ministry towards thoughtful, knowledgeable and wise biblical discipleship (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
2. Help students establish and promote genuine fellowship within the congregation, across all ages (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:25).
3. Promote a God-honoring climate and location for people to learn about and grow with God (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 12:3-13; 1 Cor. 12:25-27).
4. Engage students in outreach and service using their gifts and talents (1 Pet. 4:10; Rom. 12:6-8; Col. 3:23-25)
Vision:
1. We will grow to be a community that accepts a diverse crowd, becoming a ministry that seeks the lost and disciples the saved (Matt. 28:18-20).
2. To identify individuals within the Body of Christ to grow and cultivate Christian leaders for missions and ministries within the congregation, training them to fulfill a placement within the Church (Eph. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
3. To help students identify and use their gifts to serve God in the world (Matt. 5:14-16; Matt. 28:18-20)
Strategy:
1. Teaching God’s Word in its context to willing individuals in the youth ministry for their daily life with Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Matt. 5:14-16).
2. Instructing students to share the Scriptures to the best of their ability in society and in private for evangelism and apologetics (1 Pet. 3:15-16; 2 Tim. 4:2).
3. Being constantly in prayer for one another and for the world, looking to God and His promises (Jm. 5:13-20; 1 Thess. 5:17; Matt. 28:20).
4. Guide students to have a desire to serve and place them in a ministry that fits their gifts and skills (Eph. 2:10; Eph. 4:12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; Rom. 12:6-8).
5. Promote community life in our church’s youth ministry as a welcoming entity in the Church (Heb. 10:24-25; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 12:25-27).
Values:
1. Reaching the Lost: We are not called to sit comfortably in our congregation, but to reach out to those who are without God through prayer, biblical evangelism and apologetics (Matt. 9:37-38; Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15).
2. Bearing Godly Fruit: We are called to biblical discipleship that produces godly fruit in our lives and noticeable growth by men (John 15:1-17; Matt. 7:15-20; Rom. 6:22; 1 Cor. 11:1).
3. Cherishing the Word: We are committed to the teachings of Jesus, the Word of God, through his canonized Scriptures given to us by human authors and fully inspired by God, both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16; Matt. 4:4).
4. Welcoming Fellowship: We will be an open-door Youth Ministry, inviting those who are age-appropriate in our community and our church to come to God (Matt. 5:14; Matt 24:14; Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 15:7;).
5. Godly Discipleship: Through teaching, fellowship, and discussion we will grow together and individually in our faith for God out of gratitude toward who He is and for all He has done for us (Eph. 5:1; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).
Statement of Faith
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
I believe the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testaments, are the verbally inspired Word of God, written by men under God's guidance and authority, inerrant and infallible in the original manuscripts, and it is our sole and final authority in faith and life. I believe the apocrypha, pseudepigraphal books, and other written works of the human authors of the canonical books to be extrabiblical works. Therefore, these extrabiblical works are not considered to be equal to, or greater than, the 66 books included in the inspired Word of God.
GOD: ONE ESSENCE, THREE PERSONS
I believe there is only one true and living God, eternally existing and manifesting Himself in three persons revealed in the scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are distinctive from each other, but equal, yet are still one in essence.
GOD: THE FATHER
I believe in God the Father, perfect and holy, infinite in his wisdom and measureless in his power. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves us from sin and death through his grace all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
GOD: THE SON
I believe in the eternal Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who was born a human to Mary, a virgin. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He led a sinless life and atoned for the sins of those who followed him in genuine faith through his grace by his death on the cross. I also believe in his physical resurrection, His physical ascension into heaven, and then His physical and spiritual presence as the high priestly intercession for His people. His personal, visible, premillennial return to the world will happen according to His promises and he will judge all men according to their faith and fruit, or lack thereof.
GOD: THE HOLY SPIRIT
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine person of God who convicts the world of sin; that He brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ. He indwells them individually and as a whole, permanently sealing them until the day of redemption. He gives believers of Christ spiritual gifts for the sharing of the Gospel and glorifying God. He is our guide and counselor.
THE NATURE OF MAN
I believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, in innocence and without sin. But with Adam's sin, the human race fell into imperfection and sin. We inherited Adam’s sinful nature, becoming spiritually dead and alienated from God in His holiness and perfection. By ourselves, we are incapable of remedying our lost and depraved condition.
SALVATION
Because of the nature of man, I believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace. It cannot be gained by merits or works, but is freely given upon all that put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. All who trust the Savior of the Cross are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, our sinful human nature is reconciled with Go,d and we can approach God with confidence, peace, and assurance.
SECURITY AND ASSURANCE
I believe that all the ones that are genuinely saved, those in whom God has accomplished His transforming work of Grace through justification of faith, are kept by His power and are, thus, secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in this security of their salvation.
RESPONSIBILITY
However, this assurance is not the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in His love, He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life.
BIBLICAL SEXUALITY
I believe that humanity was created with a sexual nature. Sex and relations with the opposite sex are natural and can be godly within the safe boundaries of marriage. God designed sexual relations to be between a man and a woman, within the covenant of marriage. This marriage is to be a biblical covenant between the man, the wife, and God. Any sexual action or lust outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman is sin (i.e., Adultery, Homosexuality, premarital sexual relations, polygamy, etc.).
THE CHURCH
I believe that the true Church, called in scripture the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism into which every person who has trusted Jesus Christ for salvation in this present age has been baptized by the Holy Spirit. The scripture also teaches the establishment and continuance of local congregations as groups of redeemed individuals that are to join together for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service in their daily walk with each other and God.
LORD’S SUPPER
I believe in observing the ordinances of the Lord's Supper, which is a memorable, symbolic representation of our Savior's suffering and death. Any believer who desires a repentant life and follows Christ should be able to partake in this communion as a part of the Body of Christ. Nonbelievers should withhold themselves from partaking, so they do not drink and eat judgment on themselves.
COVENANTAL BAPTISM
I believe that baptism is biblically shown and described to be covenantal. Baptism is a sign of the covenant and is meant for all believers and their households. It is a holy sacrament for the believer that marks them as set apart for God. Similarly, baptizing a believer's household marks them as set apart in the visible church. The believer is called to raise them in the covenant family of God and disciple them, starting with giving them the covenant sign, like the Israelites would do for their households with circumcision. For the believer, and through them their household, there are 4 reasons signified in our baptism.
1) The washing and cleansing of our sins - our physical baptism points to the profession of the believer in his household and the community that he/she believes Christ has washed and cleansed his/her sins.
2) Spirit Baptism - our water baptism points to the Spirit's baptism, proclaiming that we have the Spirit and believe to be sealed for eternity. For the household, their baptism is our proclamation that we will utilize our spiritual gifts given by the Spirit to disciple them in the faith.
3) Union with Christ - When the Spirit of God indwells us, we are united with Christ, not just in His death, but in the newness of life. This baptism is a proclamation of a life united with our Lord and Savior. It is a call and conviction to unite our household with Him as well.
4) Union with other believers - Both for the believer and their household, baptism is a proclamation that you are baptized in the visible church, the Body of Christ. Therefore, you are submitting yourself to fellowship and accountability to the local church and its leadership. Believers acknowledge that the unity of the Body is important and is a necessary component of genuine faith.
Baptism does not save the believer or their household. Baptism is a biblical sign of the covenant of grace in Christ. Signs are not the destination, but simply and significantly point to the destination. Christ is the destination for all believers, and the hopeful destination of our households. God is the one who saves, sustains, and grows us.
ESCHATOLOGY
I believe in Christ's present spiritual reign as King over all things during this age. Jesus is the Reigning King from Heaven, and this is exhibited in the hearts and lives of His followers. This age is not viewed as a time of earthly peace and prosperity, but as a time of gospel proclamation, spiritual growth, and the church’s witness in the world. I believe in the personal, imminent second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for the deliverance of His Church as He ushers in eternity and the final judgement. This view is known as Amillennialism.
THE ETERNAL SOUL AND GLORIFIED BODY
I believe that at death, the souls of those who have trusted Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss to worship Him until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church. When soul and body are reunited, we will worship Him forever with a glorified physical body and eternal soul.
THE JUDGMENT OF EVIL
I believe that the souls of unbelievers are in conscious misery after death, awaiting the final judgment of the great white throne. When soul and body are reunited, they shall be cast into the lake of fire as a part of their judgment, not to be annihilated, but to be separated from God forever in conscious and most likely physical punishment as glimpsed by Scripture.
I believe the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testaments, are the verbally inspired Word of God, written by men under God's guidance and authority, inerrant and infallible in the original manuscripts, and it is our sole and final authority in faith and life. I believe the apocrypha, pseudepigraphal books, and other written works of the human authors of the canonical books to be extrabiblical works. Therefore, these extrabiblical works are not considered to be equal to, or greater than, the 66 books included in the inspired Word of God.
GOD: ONE ESSENCE, THREE PERSONS
I believe there is only one true and living God, eternally existing and manifesting Himself in three persons revealed in the scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are distinctive from each other, but equal, yet are still one in essence.
GOD: THE FATHER
I believe in God the Father, perfect and holy, infinite in his wisdom and measureless in his power. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves us from sin and death through his grace all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
GOD: THE SON
I believe in the eternal Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who was born a human to Mary, a virgin. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He led a sinless life and atoned for the sins of those who followed him in genuine faith through his grace by his death on the cross. I also believe in his physical resurrection, His physical ascension into heaven, and then His physical and spiritual presence as the high priestly intercession for His people. His personal, visible, premillennial return to the world will happen according to His promises and he will judge all men according to their faith and fruit, or lack thereof.
GOD: THE HOLY SPIRIT
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine person of God who convicts the world of sin; that He brings new life to those who are spiritually dead; that He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ. He indwells them individually and as a whole, permanently sealing them until the day of redemption. He gives believers of Christ spiritual gifts for the sharing of the Gospel and glorifying God. He is our guide and counselor.
THE NATURE OF MAN
I believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, in innocence and without sin. But with Adam's sin, the human race fell into imperfection and sin. We inherited Adam’s sinful nature, becoming spiritually dead and alienated from God in His holiness and perfection. By ourselves, we are incapable of remedying our lost and depraved condition.
SALVATION
Because of the nature of man, I believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace. It cannot be gained by merits or works, but is freely given upon all that put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. All who trust the Savior of the Cross are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, our sinful human nature is reconciled with Go,d and we can approach God with confidence, peace, and assurance.
SECURITY AND ASSURANCE
I believe that all the ones that are genuinely saved, those in whom God has accomplished His transforming work of Grace through justification of faith, are kept by His power and are, thus, secure in Christ forever. It is their privilege to rejoice in this security of their salvation.
RESPONSIBILITY
However, this assurance is not the occasion for sin, for God in holiness cannot tolerate persistent sin in His children, and in His love, He corrects them. True faith in Christ is expressed by a fruitful, God-pleasing life.
BIBLICAL SEXUALITY
I believe that humanity was created with a sexual nature. Sex and relations with the opposite sex are natural and can be godly within the safe boundaries of marriage. God designed sexual relations to be between a man and a woman, within the covenant of marriage. This marriage is to be a biblical covenant between the man, the wife, and God. Any sexual action or lust outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman is sin (i.e., Adultery, Homosexuality, premarital sexual relations, polygamy, etc.).
THE CHURCH
I believe that the true Church, called in scripture the Body of Christ, is a spiritual organism into which every person who has trusted Jesus Christ for salvation in this present age has been baptized by the Holy Spirit. The scripture also teaches the establishment and continuance of local congregations as groups of redeemed individuals that are to join together for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service in their daily walk with each other and God.
LORD’S SUPPER
I believe in observing the ordinances of the Lord's Supper, which is a memorable, symbolic representation of our Savior's suffering and death. Any believer who desires a repentant life and follows Christ should be able to partake in this communion as a part of the Body of Christ. Nonbelievers should withhold themselves from partaking, so they do not drink and eat judgment on themselves.
COVENANTAL BAPTISM
I believe that baptism is biblically shown and described to be covenantal. Baptism is a sign of the covenant and is meant for all believers and their households. It is a holy sacrament for the believer that marks them as set apart for God. Similarly, baptizing a believer's household marks them as set apart in the visible church. The believer is called to raise them in the covenant family of God and disciple them, starting with giving them the covenant sign, like the Israelites would do for their households with circumcision. For the believer, and through them their household, there are 4 reasons signified in our baptism.
1) The washing and cleansing of our sins - our physical baptism points to the profession of the believer in his household and the community that he/she believes Christ has washed and cleansed his/her sins.
2) Spirit Baptism - our water baptism points to the Spirit's baptism, proclaiming that we have the Spirit and believe to be sealed for eternity. For the household, their baptism is our proclamation that we will utilize our spiritual gifts given by the Spirit to disciple them in the faith.
3) Union with Christ - When the Spirit of God indwells us, we are united with Christ, not just in His death, but in the newness of life. This baptism is a proclamation of a life united with our Lord and Savior. It is a call and conviction to unite our household with Him as well.
4) Union with other believers - Both for the believer and their household, baptism is a proclamation that you are baptized in the visible church, the Body of Christ. Therefore, you are submitting yourself to fellowship and accountability to the local church and its leadership. Believers acknowledge that the unity of the Body is important and is a necessary component of genuine faith.
Baptism does not save the believer or their household. Baptism is a biblical sign of the covenant of grace in Christ. Signs are not the destination, but simply and significantly point to the destination. Christ is the destination for all believers, and the hopeful destination of our households. God is the one who saves, sustains, and grows us.
ESCHATOLOGY
I believe in Christ's present spiritual reign as King over all things during this age. Jesus is the Reigning King from Heaven, and this is exhibited in the hearts and lives of His followers. This age is not viewed as a time of earthly peace and prosperity, but as a time of gospel proclamation, spiritual growth, and the church’s witness in the world. I believe in the personal, imminent second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for the deliverance of His Church as He ushers in eternity and the final judgement. This view is known as Amillennialism.
THE ETERNAL SOUL AND GLORIFIED BODY
I believe that at death, the souls of those who have trusted Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss to worship Him until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church. When soul and body are reunited, we will worship Him forever with a glorified physical body and eternal soul.
THE JUDGMENT OF EVIL
I believe that the souls of unbelievers are in conscious misery after death, awaiting the final judgment of the great white throne. When soul and body are reunited, they shall be cast into the lake of fire as a part of their judgment, not to be annihilated, but to be separated from God forever in conscious and most likely physical punishment as glimpsed by Scripture.