Embracing God's Covenant: A Call to Faithfulness
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound concept of covenant as it is presented in the Scriptures. A covenant is essentially a promise or agreement between two parties, and we see four distinct types of covenantal relationships in the Bible: personal, family, church, and national covenants. Each of these covenants demonstrates how God interacts with us on different levels – individually, within our families, as part of the church community, and as a nation.
I delved into the features of God's covenant with the nation of Israel, which was initially revealed to Abraham and subsequently passed down to his descendants. This covenant encompassed promises of abundant life, effective living, salvation, success, prosperity, fecundity, and longevity. These blessings are not just for the ancient Israelites but are also applicable to us today.
To receive these blessings, we must acknowledge God as our ruler and leader, as stated in Psalm 33:12. This principle transcends all human authority, whether it be a president, prime minister, or university chancellor. Our trust must not be placed in human capabilities but in God's providence. As Jeremiah 17 warns, relying on human strength can lead to defeat and divine opposition.
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 10 and Romans 15, I emphasized the importance of learning from Israel's history. The Scriptures are provided for our instruction, allowing us to understand how God deals with His people and what He expects from us. God desires to be first in our lives, and He is passionate about our love for Him, as reflected in His name El Kana – the God who is jealous for our love.
Furthermore, I cautioned against the dangers of being misled by incomplete or false interpretations of the Bible, which are prevalent on the internet. It is crucial to know the Word for ourselves. At the Embassy Center, we are committed to implementing God's will as revealed through His Word.
I concluded by drawing an analogy with the battle cry "Wakanda Forever" from the Black Panther films, using it to introduce the theme "Kingdom Covenant Forever." Just as the characters in the movie rallied around a legacy and a future, we too are called to unite under the banner of God's eternal covenant.
Key Takeaways:
- A covenant with God is not a mere contract; it is a living relationship that requires our wholehearted commitment and trust. As we align ourselves with God's will, we become recipients of His promises, which include not only personal blessings but also those that extend to our families and communities. [09:24]
- The blessings of God are not limited by time or culture; they are as relevant today as they were to Abraham and his descendants. Our challenge is to embrace these promises and live in a way that reflects our covenant relationship with God, demonstrating faithfulness and obedience. [08:08]
- The sovereignty of God over all human authority is a fundamental truth that must shape our worldview. When we place God at the center of our lives, we establish the foundation for true prosperity and blessing, both individually and collectively. [09:24]
- The Scriptures serve as a historical guidebook, providing us with examples of how to live in covenant with God. By studying the experiences of the Israelites, we can learn valuable lessons about faith, obedience, and the consequences of turning away from God's path. [11:34]
- God's jealousy for us is not a selfish desire but a reflection of His deep love and concern for our well-being. He knows the destructive paths that lead away from Him and earnestly desires for us to choose life and blessing by remaining faithful to His covenant. [12:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 33:12 (NKJV): "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance."
2. Jeremiah 17:5 (NKJV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.'"
3. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV): "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four types of covenantal relationships mentioned in the sermon? ([06:18])
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the blessings included in God's covenant with Israel? ([07:30])
3. How does Psalm 33:12 describe the nation that acknowledges God as their Lord? ([04:12])
4. What does Jeremiah 17:5 warn against, and what are the consequences mentioned? ([10:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a covenant differ from a simple contract, based on the sermon? ([06:18])
2. Why is it important to learn from the history of Israel as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:11 and Romans 15:4? ([10:48])
3. What does it mean for God to be "jealous" for our love, and how is this different from human jealousy? ([12:15])
4. How does the sermon suggest we should respond to incomplete or false interpretations of the Bible found on the internet? ([03:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you ensure that you are living in alignment with His covenant promises? ([09:24])
2. In what ways can you acknowledge God as the ruler and leader in your family, community, and nation? What practical steps can you take this week? ([09:24])
3. How can you apply the lessons learned from Israel's history to your own spiritual journey? Are there specific areas where you need to demonstrate more faith and obedience? ([10:48])
4. Have you ever been misled by an incomplete or false interpretation of the Bible? How can you deepen your understanding of the Scriptures to avoid this in the future? ([03:28])
5. God's blessings are described as being relevant today as they were to Abraham and his descendants. How can you embrace these promises in your daily life? ([08:08])
6. Think of a time when you relied more on human strength than on God's providence. What was the outcome, and how can you shift your trust back to God? ([10:05])
7. How can you cultivate a deeper love and commitment to God, knowing that He is passionate about your well-being? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this love? ([12:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Covenant Commitment
Covenant is not a mere contract but a dynamic and living relationship that demands our full commitment and trust. When we enter into a covenant with God, we are not just agreeing to a set of terms; we are engaging in a relationship that transforms our lives. This relationship is built on the foundation of God's promises and our faithfulness to Him. It requires us to align our desires, our actions, and our entire being with God's will. As we do so, we open ourselves to the fullness of His blessings, which touch every aspect of our lives, from our personal growth to the well-being of our families and communities. The covenant relationship is a journey of trust, where we learn to rely not on our own understanding but on God's providence and guidance [09:24].
"Thus says the LORD: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.'" - Jeremiah 17:5-8 ESV
Reflection: How can you demonstrate a deeper commitment to your covenant relationship with God in your daily actions and decisions?
Day 2: The Timelessness of Divine Promises
The blessings that God promised to Abraham and his descendants are not confined to the pages of ancient history; they are alive and available to us today. These promises include abundant life, success, and prosperity, but they are contingent upon our willingness to embrace and live out the covenant relationship with God. This means actively seeking to understand His will and applying it to our lives, thereby reflecting our faithfulness and obedience. The covenant is not just about receiving; it is about becoming the kind of people who can steward God's blessings rightly and extend them to others. It is a call to live in a way that honors the timeless nature of God's promises and to be a living testimony of His faithfulness across generations [08:08].
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." - Psalm 84:11 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out the covenant promises of God in your life this week?
Day 3: Sovereignty Above Human Authority
Acknowledging God's sovereignty means recognizing that His authority transcends all human leadership and institutions. This principle should shape our worldview and influence how we interact with the world around us. When we place God at the center of our lives, we establish a foundation for true prosperity and blessing. This is not a prosperity defined by worldly standards but one that is rooted in spiritual growth, community well-being, and alignment with God's purposes. By trusting in God's rule over our lives, we can navigate the complexities of life with confidence, knowing that our ultimate allegiance is to a higher authority that guides us toward righteousness and peace [09:24].
"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." - Psalm 118:9 ESV
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to reaffirm God's sovereignty and reduce your reliance on human authority?
Day 4: Learning from Biblical History
The Scriptures provide us with a rich tapestry of historical accounts that serve as both warnings and guides for our spiritual journey. By studying the experiences of the Israelites, we gain insight into how to live in covenant with God and the consequences of deviating from His path. These stories are not just ancient narratives; they are lessons that teach us about faith, obedience, and the importance of remaining steadfast in our commitment to God. As we reflect on the history of God's people, we can discern patterns and principles that are applicable to our lives today, helping us to avoid past mistakes and to walk in the way of righteousness [11:34].
"Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come." - 1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV
Reflection: What historical example from Scripture has God been using to teach you a lesson, and how can you apply it to your current circumstances?
Day 5: God's Jealous Love
God's jealousy is not like human jealousy; it is rooted in His deep love for us and His desire for our well-being. He knows the paths that lead to destruction and earnestly desires for us to choose life and blessing by remaining faithful to His covenant. This divine jealousy is a passionate concern that we live in the fullness of His love and grace, avoiding the pitfalls that come from turning away from Him. Understanding God's jealous love helps us to appreciate the depth of His commitment to us and motivates us to reciprocate by putting Him first in every aspect of our lives [12:15].
"For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." - Exodus 34:14 ESV
Reflection: How can you honor God's jealous love for you by prioritizing your relationship with Him above all else today?
Quotes
"The internet is full of a whole bunch of quasi-experts... people who believe themselves to be experts and what happens is they make 30-second reels... but if you just go off of that one reel you could become deceived. So you have to know what the word says for yourself... here at the Embassy Center our goal is to implement his will, the Lord's will as revealed through his word." [03:28]
"Today I want to speak from the subject Kingdom Covenant forever... we represent something that's bigger than ourselves... a history, a legacy, and a future. So let's all join in and fight together... I'm here in the name of the Lord and my battlecry today is Kingdom Covenant forever." [05:38]
"God is a jealous God not in the vice sense but in the virtuous sense... He's not concerned about what is good for him, God is concerned about what's best for Israel... these nations worship gods who allow things that I would never allow and they allow things that actually work against you." [12:52]
"We just read the psalm, it says blessed is the nation, the people, the family, the individual whose God is the Lord... if we want to see prosperity in our lives, in our families, in our cities, in our nations, then God has to be the one that we are ruled by... Your Leader first and foremost has to be the Lord, then the blessings will come." [09:24]
"Paul says in Romans 15 that the scriptures were provided for our learning... God wants us to learn from the example from the situations that the Israelites went into... what God wants, what he expects is to be first." [11:34]
"There's four different covenantal relationships that we can observe in the scripture... the Lord meets us on each level, he meets us personally, he meets us as a family, he meets us as a church community, and he meets us as a nation." [06:18]
"The Lord's promise to not only Israel but his promise that was revealed to a man named Abraham... This Promise included Abundant Life, an effective life, salvation of the Soul... success and prosperity, fecundity... and longevity... you can have a strong and prosperous life even as you age." [08:08]
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