Embracing the New Covenant: Heartfelt Discipleship

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to distinguish between merely understanding the New Covenant with our minds and truly embracing it in our hearts. The difference is evident in our reactions: if we find ourselves saying, "I've heard that before," it likely remains a mental concept. However, when it grips our hearts, we recognize our need for transformation. This is akin to the difference between Saul, who lived by his head and lost his kingdom, and David, a man after God's own heart. To build a New Covenant church or home, we must be people of the heart, not just the head.

The essence of the New Covenant is about dying to self, much like a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground and die to produce fruit. This principle applies to overcoming personal struggles, such as anger, and extends to building a church. Many seek shortcuts, opting for cheaper, counterfeit versions of faith that don't require true sacrifice. However, genuine discipleship demands a willingness to pay the price, to be under authority, and to be part of a community, even when it's inconvenient.

The church is likened to a building, where each believer is a brick. It's easy to remain a solitary brick, but true safety and growth come from being built into a structure, under authority, and in fellowship with others. This requires a commitment to discipleship, where Christ is prioritized above all relationships, self-interests, and possessions. The call is to present our bodies as living sacrifices, not just a portion of our income, but our entire being.

In today's world, the spirit of Babylon, characterized by a focus on money and self-interest, has infiltrated the church. True discipleship and church building require a radical attitude towards money, where God, not wealth, is our master. This involves serving without seeking financial gain, as Jesus and the apostles did. The challenge is to build churches on New Covenant principles, where the focus is on genuine discipleship and a pure offering to God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Heart Over Head: Embrace the New Covenant with your heart, not just your mind. Like David, be a person after God's own heart, seeking transformation and genuine discipleship. This requires recognizing your need for change and being willing to pay the price for true spiritual growth. [02:44]
• 2. Dying to Self: True discipleship involves dying to self, much like a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground to produce fruit. This means prioritizing Christ above all else, including relationships, self-interests, and possessions. [06:33]
• 3. Community and Authority: Being part of a church means being built into a community, under authority, and in fellowship with others. It's easy to remain a solitary brick, but true safety and growth come from being part of a structure. [09:23]
• 4. Radical Attitude Towards Money: Serve God, not money. True discipleship requires a radical attitude towards money, where financial gain is not the motive for serving. This involves living by New Covenant principles, where God is our master. [52:11]
• 5. Pure Offering: God desires a pure offering, free from self-interest and pride. This involves presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, not just a portion of our income, but our entire being, committed to building a church on New Covenant principles. [27:07]
  ** [27:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:26] - Mind vs. Heart Understanding
• [01:15] - Repetition for Grasping Truth
• [02:11] - Saul vs. David: Head vs. Heart
• [03:19] - Discovering New Insights
• [04:04] - Building a Genuine Church
• [05:06] - Dying to Self for Fruitfulness
• [06:09] - Seeing Jesus Through Sacrifice
• [07:29] - Solution to Loneliness
• [08:07] - Church as a Building
• [09:23] - Authority and Community
• [10:12] - Leaving Untruthful Churches
• [11:28] - Compromise in Christendom
• [12:35] - Listening vs. Practicing
• [14:27] - Prophets and Their Burdens
• [16:25] - Babylon vs. Jerusalem
• [18:31] - Building with Precious Materials
• [20:03] - Forgiveness and Salvation
• [22:21] - No Forgiveness After Death
• [24:17] - God's Desire for Pure Offerings
• [27:07] - Form vs. Power of Godliness
• [29:37] - Sacrifice for Church Building
• [31:59] - Presenting Our Bodies
• [33:08] - Eyes and Tongue on the Altar
• [35:04] - God First in Our Lives
• [37:02] - Making Disciples
• [39:10] - Loving Jesus Above All
• [41:51] - Total Discipleship
• [43:27] - Debt and Financial Integrity
• [46:33] - Obeying God's Word
• [49:39] - New Covenant Giving
• [52:11] - Serving God, Not Money
• [54:23] - Jesus' Example in Ministry
• [57:24] - Money and Church Integrity
• [59:04] - Choosing the Right Master
• [61:17] - Building on New Covenant Principles

1. John 12:24 - "Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
2. Romans 12:1-2 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
3. Luke 16:13 - "No servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

1. What is the significance of the grain of wheat analogy in John 12:24, and how does it relate to the concept of dying to self? [05:06]
2. According to Romans 12:1-2, what does it mean to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, and how does this relate to the New Covenant principles discussed in the sermon? [31:59]
3. In Luke 16:13, Jesus speaks about serving two masters. How does this passage relate to the sermon’s emphasis on having a radical attitude towards money? [52:11]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between living by the head and living by the heart, using the examples of Saul and David? [02:44]

1. How does the analogy of the grain of wheat in John 12:24 challenge our understanding of personal sacrifice and spiritual growth? What does it mean to "die to self" in practical terms? [06:09]
2. Romans 12:1-2 calls for transformation through the renewing of the mind. How does this transformation manifest in the life of a believer, and what role does it play in building a New Covenant church? [32:17]
3. The sermon discusses the spirit of Babylon infiltrating the church. How does this concept relate to the warning in Luke 16:13 about serving God versus money? [16:25]
4. What are the implications of being a "person after God's own heart" like David, and how does this contrast with Saul's approach to leadership and faith? [02:44]

1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized your self-interests over spiritual growth. How can you apply the principle of dying to self, as described in John 12:24, to that situation? [06:09]
2. Romans 12:1-2 encourages believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices. What specific steps can you take this week to present yourself as a living sacrifice in your daily life? [31:59]
3. Consider your current attitude towards money and possessions. How can you ensure that God, not wealth, is your master, as emphasized in Luke 16:13? [52:11]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of community and authority in the church. How can you actively participate in your church community to foster growth and accountability? [09:23]
5. Identify an area in your life where you have been living by the head rather than the heart. What changes can you make to align more closely with the heart-focused approach exemplified by David? [02:44]
6. The sermon calls for a pure offering to God, free from self-interest and pride. What practical actions can you take to ensure your service and worship are genuine and selfless? [27:07]
7. How can you cultivate a radical attitude towards money in your personal and family life, ensuring that financial decisions align with New Covenant principles? [52:11]