Embracing the Better Promises of the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Direct Access to God Through the New Covenant

The new covenant established through Jesus Christ offers believers a direct and personal relationship with God, surpassing the limitations of the Old Covenant. This profound privilege allows individuals to approach God with confidence and faith, symbolized by the tearing of the temple veil. Unlike the Old Covenant, which was based on adherence to the law, the new covenant is grounded in faith, enabling believers to experience the fullness of God's blessings. This access to God is a transformative aspect of the new covenant, inviting believers to engage with God intimately and personally. [05:42]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally draw near to God today, embracing the direct access you have through the new covenant?

Day 2: Faith as the Gateway to God's Promises

The blessings and promises of the new covenant are accessed through faith, not by works. This shift from a works-based relationship to one grounded in faith allows believers to experience the fullness of God's provision and promises. Faith becomes the key that unlocks the door to God's blessings, enabling believers to overcome doubt and unbelief. By trusting in God's promises and provisions, individuals can step into the better things God has prepared for them, both individually and as a community. [08:28]

James 1:6-8 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where doubt has crept in. How can you actively choose faith over doubt in this situation today?

Day 3: Embracing Our Potential in Christ

Believers are called to live up to the potential of the better things God has provided through the new covenant. This involves actively seeking and enjoying the blessings available through faith, rather than letting them go unaccessed. The new covenant challenges believers to embrace their identity in Christ and to live in the fullness of what God has in store. By doing so, they can experience the transformative power of God's promises and live a life that reflects His glory and purpose. [05:42]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What is one specific area where you feel God is calling you to step into your potential? How can you take a tangible step towards this today?

Day 4: The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

While the Old Covenant was marked by miraculous provisions and divine interventions, the new covenant offers something even greater. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The new covenant surpasses the Old Covenant by providing a personal relationship with God, better promises, and a better hope. This greater glory invites believers to live in the reality of God's redemptive work and to embrace the fullness of His promises. [03:57]

2 Corinthians 3:9-11 (ESV): "For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How does this encourage you to trust in the greater promises of the new covenant?

Day 5: Building a Community of Faith

As a church community, believers are invited to embrace the better things God has for them collectively. The shared faith journey is enriched by the new covenant, encouraging believers to support and uplift one another in accessing God's promises. This communal aspect of faith is vital for spiritual growth and for experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. By fostering a community of faith, believers can encourage one another to live out the promises of the new covenant and to grow in their relationship with God. [08:28]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you contribute to building a stronger community of faith within your church? What is one specific action you can take this week to support and encourage someone in your faith community?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we reflect on the profound blessings and promises that God has provided for us through the new covenant established by Jesus Christ. Drawing from Hebrews 11:40, we explore the concept of "better things" that God has prepared for us compared to the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant was indeed a time of great miracles and divine provision, where God demonstrated His power and faithfulness to His people. Yet, as remarkable as those times were, the new covenant through Jesus Christ offers us something even greater.

The book of Hebrews frequently uses the word "better" to describe the new covenant, emphasizing the superiority of the new way God relates to His people. Through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, we have direct access to God, a privilege that was not available under the Old Covenant. The veil in the temple was torn, symbolizing our ability to approach the throne of grace personally and intimately. This new relationship with God is not based on the works of the law but on faith, allowing us to experience the fullness of God's blessings.

The Old Covenant was not without its power and glory, as God provided for His people in miraculous ways. However, the new covenant surpasses it by offering us a personal relationship with God, better promises, and a better hope. It is a call to live up to the potential of these better things, to access and enjoy the blessings that God has made available to us through faith. It is a reminder that we should not let unbelief and doubt hinder us from experiencing the fullness of what God has in store for us.

As we embrace this new covenant, we are encouraged to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and provisions. We are invited to step into the better things God has prepared for us, both individually and as a church community. Let us strive to access these blessings and live in the fullness of the new covenant, knowing that God has even greater things in store for us.

Key Takeaways

1. The Superiority of the New Covenant: The new covenant through Jesus Christ offers us a direct and personal relationship with God, surpassing the Old Covenant's limitations. This access to God is a profound privilege that allows us to approach Him with confidence and faith. [05:42]
2. Faith as the Key to Access: The blessings and promises of the new covenant are accessed through faith, not by works. It is through faith that we can experience the fullness of God's provision and promises, overcoming doubt and unbelief. [08:28]
3. Living Up to Our Potential: We are called to live up to the potential of the better things God has provided for us. It is a challenge to not let the blessings available to us go unaccessed, but to actively seek and enjoy them through faith. [05:42]
4. The Power of the Old Covenant: While the Old Covenant was marked by miraculous provisions and divine interventions, the new covenant offers something even greater. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. [03:57]
5. A Community of Faith: As a church community, we are invited to embrace the better things God has for us collectively. Our shared faith journey is enriched by the new covenant, and we are encouraged to support and uplift one another in accessing God's promises. [08:28]
** [08:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - Introduction to Hebrews 11:40
[03:57] - The Power of the Old Covenant
[05:42] - The Superiority of the New Covenant
[08:28] - Faith as the Key to Access
[10:00] - Living Up to Our Potential
[12:00] - A Community of Faith
[14:00] - Reflections on the First Spanish Service
[16:00] - Closing Remarks and Blessings

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 11:40 mean when it says God has provided "some better thing for us"? How does this relate to the Old Covenant? [01:05]
How does the sermon describe the role of faith in accessing the blessings of the new covenant? [08:28]
What are some examples of the miraculous provisions mentioned in the Old Covenant? [03:57]
According to the sermon, what significant change did Jesus' death bring to our relationship with God? [05:42]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "better things" in Hebrews challenge the perception of the Old Covenant's power and glory? [03:57]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the new covenant offers a more personal relationship with God? [05:42]
How might the idea of living up to the potential of the "better things" provided by God influence a believer's daily life? [05:42]
What does the sermon imply about the role of community in experiencing the fullness of God's promises? [08:28]

Application Questions

Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen this relationship in light of the new covenant's promises? [05:42]
Identify an area in your life where doubt or unbelief might be hindering you from experiencing God's blessings. What steps can you take to overcome this? [08:28]
Consider the "better things" God has provided for you. Are there any blessings you feel you have not fully accessed? How can you actively seek them through faith? [05:42]
How can you encourage and support others in your church community to embrace the better things God has for them? [08:28]
Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a miraculous way. How does this memory strengthen your faith in the promises of the new covenant? [03:57]
What practical steps can you take this week to live up to the potential of the better things God has provided for you? [05:42]
How can you incorporate the teachings of the new covenant into your daily interactions with family and friends? [05:42]

Sermon Clips

"God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect and uh I saw this little thing here some better thing for us or better things for us if you look back through the book of Hebrews the word better is a key word if not the the main word of the book of Hebrews if they could I think it's mentioned like 13 or 14 times um and it's part of a uh comparison if you will uh as to the old covenant versus the new covenant and the old testament versus the new testament the old way versus the new way uh Hebrews chapter 6 verse 9 talks of better things Hebrews 7 19 talks of a better hope Hebrews 7 22 talks of a better testament Hebrews 8 and 6 talks of a better covenant and better promises" [00:01:09]

"It far surpasses, far exceeds the Old Covenant and the Old Testament and the way the Lord dealt with His people during the Old Covenant. So if you look back during the Old Covenant, it was a tremendous time of the blessings of God upon His people. The Old Covenant was, it was by no means shabby. It was, it was a powerful, powerful time between the Lord and His people." [00:02:47]

"And you look back at the miracles and signs and wonders and provisions of God for His people, and you'd almost wonder how in the world could something be better than that? But even as good as it was, there were flaws. There were some shortcomings to it. You look back at how the Lord provided for His people during, during that Old Covenant. You see how He provided the wilderness, the manna from heaven and the quail and the water from the rock." [00:03:32]

"And there in the wilderness, they, they did not grow their shoes and their clothes, how He led them with the cloud by day and the fire by night. And He healed their sick. He said, I am the Lord that healeth thee. And their dead were raised and God gave them just tremendous victories over the world. And He said, I am the Lord that healeth thee. And their dead were raised. When they were, they were outnumbered and the odds were against them and things were, were certainly stacked against them, but God provided for them and blessed them." [00:03:57]

"But when Jesus came and shed His blood there on the cross, a new covenant was brought forth to us and it was the covenant of Jesus Christ. And we see how it, it surpassed or superseded the Old Covenant. And, and Hebrews chapter, the different chapters we're seeing here brings, brings that out for us. Whereas in the Old Covenant, we're seeing the Old Covenant, we're seeing the Old Covenant, we're seeing the Old Covenant. The, the, the priest had to go to the holy place and offer up the sacrifice for the people. Jesus became our high priest." [00:04:49]

"Whereas the, in the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, people couldn't go themselves. They had to, they had to have help from the priest. Well, now, because the blood of Jesus was shed, the veil in the temple was rent. So we can go right straight to the, the throne of grace for ourselves. This is much better than the way that it was." [00:05:24]

"Uh, we can know the Lord for ourself. We can have a relationship with the Lord for ourself. As good as that Old Covenant was, there are better things that have been provided for us. Uh, a personal relationship with the Lord ourselves, enjoying Him and, and, uh, through the death, burial, the resurrection of Jesus. We can, we can experience the better things that God's provided for us. So, um, better, better things for our family, better things for our homes, better things that He has provided for the church." [00:05:45]

"This is not to say that, you know, the Old Testament was an old covenant was but was by any means, you know, shabby. It was not. I mean, how can you get better than the Red Sea? How can you, you know, see things better than what they did? But yet somehow through the grace of Jesus Christ and the blood of Jesus, according to this, we can see better things and have better things provided for us than they did. So I believe that we should want to live up to that in all of our lives." [00:06:22]

"I believe that we should want to see and experience the better things that God's provided for us. It would be, it's really in a sense a shame for us to have things available for us that we're not enjoying, to have a provision made for us that we're not accessing. So all of that. All of that is on us. We can access the wonderful things and enjoy the tremendous blessings that God has for us. And it's to be done through faith. It's not works of righteousness, not works that we can do, but we're going to enjoy these things and access them through faith." [00:07:03]

"This Hebrews 11 is talking about faith. And if you look back, even as some different chapters here in Hebrews, you see the people of God during the old covenant. They. They didn't get where they could have got because of unbelief and doubt. But the Lord has made it possible for us to enjoy all of the blessings of God that he's provided for us through faith." [00:07:52]

"And that's up to us. We want to enjoy those things we can. And I believe that we are enjoying them. And I don't believe we've really seen anything yet. God's got just even better things for us than we've experienced up to this time. So amen. I hope that's a blessing to you. I pray that it is." [00:08:11]

"This past Sunday, we had our first Spanish service. And man, we had a great time. The presence of the Lord was there. Pastor Jose did a tremendous job. We had, I think it was maybe 15. For our first service, I believe it was 15. So that was this past Sunday. That's a really, really exciting to see and take part. And we're believing the Lord just for tremendous things." [00:08:36]

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