Embracing Our Spiritual Inheritance in the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Claiming Our Spiritual Inheritance

In the New Covenant, believers are called to actively claim their spiritual inheritance in Christ, which includes living a victorious life free from the bondage of sin. This inheritance is not merely about forgiveness but encompasses a life transformed by the power of Christ's sacrifice. Just as one would be meticulous in claiming a financial inheritance, Christians must be diligent in seeking and possessing their spiritual inheritance. The devil often attempts to cheat believers out of this inheritance, but through vigilance and faith, they can experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers. [02:37]

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 aspect of your spiritual inheritance have you been neglecting, and how can you begin to claim it today through prayer and action?

Day 2: Inner Transformation Reflecting Christ

The New Covenant emphasizes an inner transformation where God's laws are written on our hearts and minds. This transformation is not about outward appearances or mere adherence to rules but about reflecting the life of Christ through humility and considering others more important than ourselves. Jesus exemplified this by living a life of true humility, always putting others before Himself. In the New Covenant, the focus is on life more than teaching, where our lives become a testimony of God's work in us. [06:01]

2 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV): "And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate Christ-like humility in your interactions with others this week?

Day 3: The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, empowering them to live a life that pleases God. This indwelling is not about fanaticism or neglect but about a balanced, Spirit-filled life that reflects Christ's character. Unlike the Old Covenant, where the Spirit came upon people temporarily, the New Covenant offers a permanent indwelling of the Spirit, guiding and empowering believers in their daily walk with God. This presence of the Holy Spirit is a vital part of the believer's inheritance and is essential for living a victorious Christian life. [26:20]

John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence in your daily life, and what changes might this bring about in your actions and attitudes?

Day 4: Embracing the Promises of the New Covenant

The New Covenant comes with promises such as God's provision for our needs, His faithfulness in not allowing us to be tempted beyond our ability, and His assurance that all things work together for our good. These promises are part of the inheritance that believers must actively seek and possess. By trusting in these promises, Christians can experience peace and confidence in God's plan for their lives, knowing that He is always working for their good. [51:39]

2 Peter 1:4 (ESV): "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: Which promise of the New Covenant do you find most challenging to trust, and how can you begin to embrace it more fully in your life?

Day 5: Opening Every Area of Life to God

To truly enter into the New Covenant life, believers must be willing to open every area of their lives to God, allowing Him to fill them with His Spirit and transform them from the inside out. This requires honesty, humility, and a deep desire to be conformed to the image of Christ. By surrendering all aspects of life to God, Christians can experience the fullness of the New Covenant and live a life that reflects Christ's character and love. [46:07]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have not fully surrendered to God, and what steps can you take to open it to His transforming power today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound difference between being an Old Covenant Christian and a New Covenant Christian. Many believers, though born again, live under the Old Covenant mindset, missing out on the full inheritance that Jesus purchased for us through His sacrifice. This inheritance is not just about forgiveness but about living a victorious life, free from the bondage of sin. Just as we would be diligent in claiming a financial inheritance, we must be vigilant in claiming our spiritual inheritance, which the devil often tries to cheat us out of.

The New Covenant is characterized by a life transformed from within, where God's laws are written on our hearts and minds. This transformation is not about outward appearances or mere adherence to rules but about an inner change that reflects the life of Christ. Jesus exemplified this by considering others more important than Himself, a mark of true humility. In the New Covenant, the emphasis is on life more than teaching, where our lives become a testimony of God's work in us.

We also discussed the role of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant. Unlike the Old Covenant, where the Spirit came upon people, in the New Covenant, the Spirit dwells within us, empowering us to live a life that pleases God. This indwelling of the Spirit is not about fanaticism or neglect but about a balanced, Spirit-filled life that reflects Christ's character.

Furthermore, we examined the promises of the New Covenant, such as God's provision for our needs, His faithfulness in not allowing us to be tempted beyond our ability, and His assurance that all things work together for our good. These promises are part of the inheritance that we must actively seek and possess.

To truly enter into this New Covenant life, we must be willing to open every area of our lives to God, allowing Him to fill us with His Spirit and transform us from the inside out. This requires honesty, humility, and a deep desire to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Inheritance in Christ: Just as we would be meticulous in claiming a financial inheritance, we must be diligent in claiming our spiritual inheritance in Christ. The devil often cheats us out of this inheritance, which includes living a victorious life free from sin. [02:37]
2. Inner Transformation: The New Covenant emphasizes an inner transformation where God's laws are written on our hearts and minds. This transformation is not about outward appearances but about reflecting the life of Christ through humility and considering others more important than ourselves. [06:01]
3. Role of the Holy Spirit: In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering us to live a life that pleases God. This indwelling is not about fanaticism but about a balanced, Spirit-filled life that reflects Christ's character. [26:20]
4. Promises of the New Covenant: The New Covenant comes with promises such as God's provision for our needs, His faithfulness in not allowing us to be tempted beyond our ability, and His assurance that all things work together for our good. These promises are part of the inheritance we must actively seek. [51:39]
5. Opening Our Lives to God: To enter into the New Covenant life, we must be willing to open every area of our lives to God, allowing Him to fill us with His Spirit and transform us from the inside out. This requires honesty, humility, and a deep desire to be conformed to the image of Christ. [46:07]
** [46:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:55] - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant Christians
[02:37] - Claiming Our Spiritual Inheritance
[04:22] - Humility and Helping Others
[06:01] - True Humility and New Covenant Life
[07:17] - Cycle of Defeat and Discouragement
[08:54] - Rejoicing Always and Being Anxious for Nothing
[10:01] - Seeking God with All Our Heart
[12:42] - Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant
[13:56] - Life Over Teaching in the New Covenant
[15:42] - Honoring God's Name
[18:18] - Doing and Teaching in the New Covenant
[21:19] - Inner Life and Desire to Do God's Will
[26:20] - The Holy Spirit's Role in the New Covenant
[31:23] - Deliverance from Sin in the New Covenant
[37:13] - Difference Between Old and New Covenant
[41:51] - Relationship with Christ as His Bride
[46:07] - Opening Our Lives to the Holy Spirit
[51:39] - Promises of the New Covenant

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."
Hebrews 8:6-10 - "But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: 'The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"
Romans 8:28-29 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

Observation Questions:

What does Philippians 2:3 suggest about how we should view others in relation to ourselves? How does this relate to the concept of humility discussed in the sermon? [04:44]
According to Hebrews 8:6-10, what are the key differences between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant? How does this passage describe the role of Jesus in the New Covenant? [12:42]
In Romans 8:28-29, what is the ultimate purpose of God working all things together for good? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on transformation into the image of Christ? [51:39]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the idea of valuing others above ourselves in Philippians 2:3 challenge common societal values? What might this look like in practical terms within a church community? [04:44]
The sermon mentions that the New Covenant involves an inner transformation. How does Hebrews 8:10 illustrate this transformation, and what implications does it have for a believer's daily life? [21:37]
Romans 8:28-29 speaks of being conformed to the image of Christ. How does this process of transformation relate to the promises of the New Covenant discussed in the sermon? [51:39]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your current mindset: Do you find yourself living more under an Old Covenant mindset or a New Covenant mindset? What steps can you take to embrace the New Covenant fully? [02:16]
Consider a situation where you struggle to value others above yourself. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate humility in that situation? [04:44]
The sermon emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill and guide you in areas of your life where you feel weak or inadequate? [26:20]
Identify a promise of the New Covenant that you find particularly challenging to believe or live out. What can you do to actively seek and possess this promise in your life? [51:39]
The sermon encourages opening every area of our lives to God. Is there a specific area you have been hesitant to surrender? What steps can you take to open this area to God’s transformation? [46:07]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus, akin to a bride and bridegroom, as described in the sermon? What daily practices might help strengthen this relationship? [41:51]
Reflect on a recent challenge or temptation. How can you apply the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13 to find strength and a way of escape in future situations? [50:09]

Sermon Clips

My subject today is Old Covenant Christian or New Covenant Christian there are two different things and in my observation the vast majority of believers, born-again believers whom I have met are Old Covenant Christians and I will explain to you hopefully in the next few minutes what that means and I hope you will be challenged and you will have faith that you will rise to possess what Jesus purchased for us on the cross the tremendous inheritance that our Heavenly Father gave to us in Christ and through the Holy Spirit. [00:01:46]

I remember the day the Lord asked me do you want to impress people or you want to help them I said Lord I want to help them then the Lord said stop trying to impress them as a preacher forget it don't seek a reputation seek to help them and if you want to help people there's a verse in scripture that tells us in Philippians and chapter 2 and verse 3 it's a it's a command to all Christians but there very few who obey it. [00:04:12]

With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourself. Jesus regarded people as more important than himself that's why at the Last Supper when the basin of water was there but the slave that normally washes people's feet was not there and everybody had looked around to see who would wash the dirty feet Jesus said well I'm the one. [00:05:10]

I used to be a very discouraged Christian frequently discouraged over things and defeated I was in this endless circle of sinning repenting confessing sinning again repenting confessing sinning again this endless circle for a number of years I'm not talking about gross external sins I think my external testimony was good I wasn't fooling around with women or cheating on money or my taxes or any such thing but inwardly it was an endless cycle of defeat defeated by anger defeated by dirty thoughts defeated by bitterness murmuring complaining wrong attitudes to people jealousy etc. [00:07:17]

I read verses in the Bible like rejoice in the Lord always always means 24/7 was that a suggestion or was it a command as long as I took it as a suggestion I could say well do it whenever possible but when I saw it as a command from God you shall not worship idols rejoice always what are commands by God and I said Lord I haven't got there you know the first step to come into New Covenant Christian 'ti is to acknowledge that you are not there and be honest with yourself. [00:08:16]

You will seek me and find me only when you search for me with all your heart and that's the reason many people don't find him as a God who can lead us to the fulfillment of all his promises who are not searching him for him with all our heart perhaps you are pursuing after our profession or money or fame or a hundred and one other things of the devil offers us let me miss out on God's best. [00:09:56]

In the New Covenant the word is come and see how the Lord has changed our lives in the Old Covenant lives were not changed you would just proclaim the word Moses children were not a good testimony but Moses was the greatest prophet Samuel children took bribes but Samuel was a great prophet the way they brought up their children didn't matter in the New Covenant it says a man cannot be an elder in 1 Timothy 3 if he has not brought up his children properly that's the standard in the New Covenant. [00:14:16]

The emphasis in the New Covenant is life more than teaching we must be more interested in our life than in understanding in Hebrews in Chapter eight we we see the promises of the New Covenant he says here in Hebrews eight verse 10 this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel and now that applies to us today read carefully hebrews 8:10 i will put my laws into their mind and i will write them in their hearts this is the new covenant and i'll be their god. [00:21:14]

In the Old Covenant it was the external life alone that mattered but in the New Covenant it's the inner life that matters you remember Jesus told the Pharisees you clean the outside of the cup but the inside is all dirty and that's how it was and when my external life please listen carefully when my external life is better than my inner thought life something is wrong with my Christianity I am an Old Covenant Christian. [00:22:54]

In the New Covenant the Lord says the Holy Spirit will come within and the water will flow from within it's like if I have a glass here and I have a lid over it and I pour water on it you know you keep on pouring water it can flow around like a rivers and bless many people but the inside of that cup will still be dirty because the water hasn't flown inside and that's what happened in the New Covenant that God removed that lid and the Holy Spirit could come into our spirit and clean up our spirit first and then flow out from within. [00:36:47]

If you think of your heart like a house with ten rooms there's one room which is called the guilt room where we feel guilty about all the thousands of sins we have committed in our life and when we ask Jesus to come into our heart it's the Holy Spirit who comes in he can't be born again without the spirit coming in he comes with the guilt room and all our sins are cleansed in a moment but it's like a house you see a house on a hill with ten rooms and there's light in one room is there light in that house yes is it filled with light no nine rooms are dark and that's how it is in our heart. [00:44:01]

I want to say this is a challenge to all of you do you really want to come into this new covenant life and you go home spend a little time before God alone and see a Lord show me the rooms in my heart that are not open to you I'm gonna be radical today I'm going to give up everything you tell me to give up I don't want to watch any program on television from today which you will not sit next to me and watch I don't want to watch a movie which you cannot watch with me I don't want to read a book or a magazine that you cannot read with me I don't want to earn money in any way that you cannot certify is righteous and upright I don't want to spend my money in any way that you will not approve of you take God seriously and don't play games with God and go to him like this area by area and area I tell you you'll be filled with the Holy Spirit before next Sunday. [00:46:07]

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Embracing Our Spiritual Inheritance in the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Claiming Our Spiritual Inheritance

Day 2: Inner Transformation Reflecting Christ

Day 3: The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Day 4: Embracing the Promises of the New Covenant

Day 5: Opening Every Area of Life to God

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Our Spiritual Inheritance in the New Covenant

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