Embracing Chesed: The Power of the New Covenant

 

Summary

Understanding the profound concept of "Chesed" is transformative. This Hebrew word, used 248 times in the Old Testament, encapsulates God's covenant loyalty, His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. It is a characteristic that not only defines God's nature but also shapes our relationship with Him. Chesed is not merely an abstract idea; it is a dynamic force that impacts our lives, enabling us to receive the fullness of what Jesus died to give us. This revelation of God's character is crucial for unleashing the power of the New Covenant in our lives.

In Exodus 33 and 34, God reveals Himself to Moses, emphasizing His merciful, gracious, and long-suffering nature, and most importantly, His abounding Chesed. This divine attribute is the foundation of God's covenant-keeping nature. It assures us that God's promises are unbreakable, as His word is His bond. The New Testament continues this theme, with Greek words like "eleos" and "elio" reflecting the same concept of Chesed, underscoring God's consistent character across both covenants.

The New Covenant, established through Jesus' sacrifice, is a testament to God's Chesed. Unlike the Old Covenant, which was conditional upon human obedience, the New Covenant is based on what God has done through Christ. It is a covenant of "I will" rather than "if you," highlighting God's initiative and fulfillment of His promises. This covenant offers us an inheritance that includes success, victory, prosperity, healing, protection, strength, help, and abundant life.

Understanding and embracing this covenant transforms our prayer life and our perception of God's promises. It shifts our focus from our inadequacies to God's sufficiency. The New Covenant is not just about eternal security; it is about experiencing the fullness of God's blessings in every aspect of our lives. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of this covenant, submitting its terms to the divine court, affirming our rights and inheritance in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Chesed as Covenant Loyalty: Chesed is God's covenant loyalty, His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. It assures us that God's word is unbreakable, and His promises are guaranteed. Understanding this characteristic of God transforms our relationship with Him, enabling us to receive the fullness of His blessings. [08:57]

- Old vs. New Covenant: The Old Covenant was conditional, based on human obedience, while the New Covenant is based on what God has done through Christ. It is a covenant of "I will" rather than "if you," highlighting God's initiative and fulfillment of His promises. This shift emphasizes God's sufficiency over our inadequacies. [35:29]

- Inheritance of the New Covenant: The New Covenant offers us an inheritance that includes success, victory, prosperity, healing, protection, strength, help, and abundant life. These are not just spiritual promises but encompass every aspect of our lives, reflecting God's desire for us to experience His fullness. [54:21]

- Communion as a Reminder: Partaking in communion is a powerful reminder of the New Covenant. It is an act of submitting the terms of the covenant to the divine court, affirming our rights and inheritance in Christ. It shifts our focus from our inadequacies to God's sufficiency. [59:34]

- Living in the Revelation of Chesed: Embracing the revelation of Chesed transforms our prayer life and perception of God's promises. It enables us to live in the fullness of God's blessings, experiencing His peace, joy, and strength in every dimension of our existence. [26:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:57] - Understanding Chesed
- [13:50] - Chesed in the New Testament
- [17:59] - The New Covenant's Foundation
- [22:12] - Chesed and Covenant Relationship
- [26:24] - God's Unbreakable Promises
- [31:56] - The Old vs. New Covenant
- [35:29] - The Shift from "If You" to "I Will"
- [40:20] - Inheritance of the New Covenant
- [47:06] - Submitting the Contract
- [54:21] - New Covenant Inheritance Details
- [59:34] - Communion and Covenant
- [01:03:00] - Living in the Revelation of Chesed

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Chesed and the New Covenant

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 34:5-7
2. Hebrews 8:6-10
3. Ephesians 2:4-5

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Observation Questions:

1. In Exodus 34:5-7, how does God describe Himself to Moses, and what significance does the repetition of "Chesed" have in this context? [08:57]

2. According to Hebrews 8:6-10, what distinguishes the New Covenant from the Old Covenant, and how does this reflect God's initiative? [35:29]

3. How does Ephesians 2:4-5 describe God's character, and what role does "eleos" play in understanding the New Covenant? [13:50]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the impact of understanding God's Chesed on our relationship with Him? [26:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of Chesed as "covenant loyalty" change the way believers perceive God's promises and their relationship with Him? [08:57]

2. In what ways does the New Covenant, as described in Hebrews 8:6-10, emphasize God's sufficiency over human inadequacy? [35:29]

3. How does the understanding of "eleos" in Ephesians 2:4-5 expand the believer's view of God's mercy and love in the New Covenant? [13:50]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the transformative power of embracing the revelation of Chesed in a believer's prayer life and perception of God's promises? [26:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you doubted God's promises. How does understanding Chesed as God's covenant loyalty encourage you to trust Him more fully? [08:57]

2. The New Covenant is based on what God has done through Christ. How can this shift your focus from your inadequacies to God's sufficiency in your daily life? [35:29]

3. Consider the inheritance offered by the New Covenant, including success, victory, and healing. Which aspect of this inheritance do you find most challenging to embrace, and why? [54:21]

4. How can partaking in communion serve as a reminder of your rights and inheritance in Christ? What practical steps can you take to make this a meaningful practice? [59:34]

5. The sermon emphasizes living in the revelation of Chesed. What specific changes can you make in your prayer life to align more closely with this understanding? [26:24]

6. Identify an area in your life where you feel inadequate. How can the New Covenant's promise of God's sufficiency help you overcome this feeling? [35:29]

7. Think of a situation where you need to rely on God's Chesed. What steps can you take this week to actively trust in His covenant loyalty? [08:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Chesed as the Foundation of God's Promises
Understanding God's Chesed is transformative, as it reveals His covenant loyalty and unwavering faithfulness to His promises. This Hebrew word, used extensively in the Old Testament, encapsulates a divine characteristic that assures us of the unbreakable nature of God's word. Chesed is not just an abstract concept but a dynamic force that shapes our relationship with God, enabling us to receive the fullness of His blessings. By grasping this aspect of God's nature, we can experience a deeper connection with Him, knowing that His promises are guaranteed and His word is His bond. [08:57]

Psalm 89:33-34 (ESV): "But I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively remind yourself of God's unbreakable promises in your daily life, especially when facing challenges?


Day 2: The Shift from Conditional to Unconditional Covenant
The Old Covenant was based on human obedience, a conditional agreement that required adherence to the law. In contrast, the New Covenant, established through Jesus' sacrifice, is based on what God has done through Christ. It is a covenant of "I will" rather than "if you," highlighting God's initiative and fulfillment of His promises. This shift emphasizes God's sufficiency over our inadequacies, allowing us to rest in His completed work rather than striving to earn His favor. By embracing this truth, we can experience the freedom and assurance that come from relying on God's faithfulness rather than our own efforts. [35:29]

Hebrews 8:10 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your own efforts to God's sufficiency in your spiritual journey today?


Day 3: Inheritance of the New Covenant
The New Covenant offers us an inheritance that includes success, victory, prosperity, healing, protection, strength, help, and abundant life. These promises are not limited to spiritual blessings but encompass every aspect of our lives, reflecting God's desire for us to experience His fullness. By understanding and embracing this inheritance, we can live with confidence and hope, knowing that God has provided everything we need for a victorious and abundant life. This perspective transforms our approach to life's challenges, enabling us to walk in the fullness of God's blessings. [54:21]

Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to claim God's inheritance today, and how can you take a step towards experiencing His fullness in that area?


Day 4: Communion as a Reminder of the New Covenant
Partaking in communion is a powerful reminder of the New Covenant. It is an act of submitting the terms of the covenant to the divine court, affirming our rights and inheritance in Christ. This practice shifts our focus from our inadequacies to God's sufficiency, reminding us of the completed work of Jesus and the promises that are now ours. By regularly participating in communion, we can reinforce our understanding of the New Covenant and strengthen our faith in God's unbreakable promises. [59:34]

1 Corinthians 11:25 (ESV): "In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

Reflection: How can you make communion a more meaningful and intentional practice in your life, focusing on the New Covenant promises it represents?


Day 5: Living in the Revelation of Chesed
Embracing the revelation of Chesed transforms our prayer life and perception of God's promises. It enables us to live in the fullness of God's blessings, experiencing His peace, joy, and strength in every dimension of our existence. By understanding God's covenant loyalty and faithfulness, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing that His promises are sure and His love is steadfast. This revelation empowers us to live victoriously, trusting in God's unchanging character and His desire for us to experience His abundant life. [26:24]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the understanding of God's Chesed into your daily prayer life, allowing it to transform your relationship with Him?

Quotes



So God is describing Himself, it's being proclaimed the character of God, the expression that God is revealing of Himself to Moses. And of all the descriptions, twice He repeats the hesed characteristic. What's He saying? I am, I'm going to rewrite the covenant that you broke. And every time I talk about covenant or covenant is revealed, remember Moses broke the first ones and we read and kind of laughed last week because God said, I'm going to, the covenant that you broke, the tablets that you broke, I'll redo them. [00:07:48] (33 seconds)


So when God says, I have hesed, God's saying, I'm faithful to my promise. If I make a contract with you, if I tell you something, all heaven, all the earth, everything could pass away. My word can't pass away. What else has He said? I'm a God, I cannot lie. It's impossible for me to lie. Why? Because I'm hesed. And therefore, it can't happen. If I say it, I'll be loyal to it. [00:09:04] (27 seconds)


The benefits of the contract or the covenant are not in effect if both sides are not keeping their side of the agreement. So conduct must follow the contract. Another definition of hesed is the purest expression of God's character. One of the purest expressions. Why? And I mean good character, God's good character. Because what is character? Come on, we've all heard a teacher or coach teach us before. Character is you're the same when no one's looking as you are when everyone's looking, right? [00:10:10] (32 seconds)


What if you understood this character trait, this part of God that is so faithful, loyal to his word, when he says it, he'll do it. That means whatever you know he says, you'll be able to receive what he said he would give you. Nothing can stop it. 1 Peter 2 .9, this is the verb form, the last verse I'll read. It says, you're a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people that you may proclaim the praises of him who's called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [00:22:12] (31 seconds)


It's saying, He remembered the covenant He has with them. Therefore, according to this abundance of chesed that He has, He relented according to that person. Why? He's saying, I know what I covenanted with you. Therefore, I'm acting in accordance with the covenant I made. I can't act any other way. I'm obligating myself to act in accordance to the contract I have with you. [00:28:34] (22 seconds)


There's no possible way I can break my covenant. Man, once you catch this revelation, your prayer life will take off. Your joy will be without fail. Why? Because you know what He has said, what He promised you. Therefore, no matter what you see or feel, it's subject to change because the contract says it. [00:29:38] (21 seconds)


The old covenant, Jesus said, I didn't do away with it. I am the fulfillment of it. Why? Because Jesus said, I fulfilled it perfectly. Then when I shed my blood, then now both sides of the contract are fulfilled and I have a new contract that's not, it didn't say I got rid of the old benefits, right? God's the same yesterday, today, and forever. If he makes a contract, he cannot ever go back on it. [00:50:00] (24 seconds)


The new covenant is inward, moves its way outward. Jesus doesn't just cover sin with his blood. He eradicated sin with his blood. Both covenants, here's the good news, come with an inheritance. This is the best part of the message because this gets all the benefits. I'm going to read the fine print that some people haven't been reading and now you're going to get real excited. [00:54:21] (21 seconds)


The Bible says in the book of Hebrews that Jesus went into the real Holy of Holies in heaven and he put his own blood on the real mercy seat, not the copy that was on the earth that Moses had. Jesus went to the mercy seat in heaven and signed his name in his own blood that says this new covenant is signed in my blood. That means it can never be null and void. It can never lose its power and it will always be active on your behalf. [00:57:22] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
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