Embracing the New Covenant: The Power of the Cross

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of the Cross: From Performance to Gift

The cross stands as the dividing line in history, shifting humanity from a covenant of performance—where blessing and acceptance depended on our ability to keep the law—to a new covenant where righteousness, forgiveness, and acceptance are freely given as a gift through Jesus’ perfect obedience. No longer do we strive to earn God’s favor or fear falling short; instead, we live from a place of being fully accepted, perfectly forgiven, and made righteous by faith in Christ. This new reality empowers us to walk in freedom, joy, and confidence, knowing that our relationship with God is secure, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done. [01:09:37]

Romans 10:4 (ESV)
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you still feel like you have to “earn” God’s acceptance or blessing? How can you intentionally rest in the gift of righteousness Jesus has already given you today?

Day 2: Jesus Fulfilled the Law—Now We Live by the Law of Love

Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it perfectly on our behalf, and now the law’s true fulfillment—love—has been written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The old covenant demanded outward obedience, but the new covenant empowers us from within, as God’s love flows through us and shapes our actions, thoughts, and desires. We are no longer bound by ceremonial requirements or striving for perfection; instead, we are invited to live out the law of love, guided and energized by the Spirit, knowing that God’s standard has been met in Christ and now overflows in us. [01:14:41]

Matthew 5:17 (ESV)
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally show Christ’s love to today, not out of obligation, but as an overflow of the love God has placed in your heart?

Day 3: Forgiveness Is a Gift—Not Earned, but Received

In the new covenant, forgiveness is not something we must continually strive for or anxiously maintain; it is a once-for-all gift secured by Jesus’ sacrifice. Our sins are not merely covered but completely removed, and God promises never to remember them again. This means we can live free from guilt and condemnation, confident that we are always forgiven and always welcome in God’s presence—not because of our confession or performance, but because of Christ’s finished work. [01:26:26]

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Is there a past mistake or sin you still feel guilty about? Take a moment to thank God for His total forgiveness and ask Him to help you truly let go of that burden today.

Day 4: Living from Blessing, Not for Blessing

Under the old covenant, people worked and performed to receive God’s blessing, but in Christ, every spiritual blessing has already been lavished upon us. We now live from a place of abundance, not lack—God’s favor, acceptance, and provision flow from the inside out, like a river of life within us. Instead of striving to be good enough, we are invited to receive, rest, and walk in the blessings that are already ours in Jesus, letting His life overflow into every area of our lives. [01:18:50]

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve been striving for God’s blessing? How can you shift your mindset today to receive and walk in what He’s already provided?

Day 5: The New Covenant Empowers Generosity and Miracles

The new covenant is marked by generosity and the supernatural—no longer giving or serving out of fear of curses or obligation, but from the overflow of God’s grace and abundance in our lives. Principles like sowing and reaping, firstfruits, and generosity are not about earning God’s favor but about participating in His promises and seeing His provision and miracles released. As we say “yes” to God’s promises and step out in faith, we experience the reality that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ, and we are empowered to live lives marked by generosity, faith, and the miraculous. [01:38:00]

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Reflection: What is one step of generosity or faith you can take today—whether with your time, resources, or encouragement—to partner with God’s promises and see His abundance flow through you?

Sermon Summary

What a joy to be alive and gathered together, both in person and online, as we explore the profound reality of the new covenant and the power of the cross. Today, we journeyed through the story of God’s covenants with humanity, focusing on how the cross of Jesus Christ stands as the pivotal moment in all of history. The cross is not just a symbol; it is the dividing line between the old and the new, between striving for righteousness and receiving it as a gift.

We looked at the three main covenants in Scripture: the Abrahamic (a covenant of grace and family), the Mosaic (a covenant of works and performance), and the New Covenant in Jesus (a covenant of perfect righteousness gifted to us). The old covenants, especially the Mosaic, were based on human effort—do good, get good; do bad, get bad. But humanity could never keep the law perfectly, and so the law exposed our need for a Savior. Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf, living a perfect life and offering His righteousness to us as a gift. Now, our standing with God is not based on our performance, but on Christ’s finished work.

This changes everything. No longer do we live in a “yo-yo” of blessing and cursing, acceptance and rejection. Instead, we start at the finish line—completely forgiven, perfectly accepted, and deeply loved. The law is not abolished, but fulfilled in Christ, and its principles—especially the law of love—are now written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We don’t work for God’s favor, love, or acceptance; we live from it. The blessings of the new covenant flow from the inside out, from the river of God’s Spirit within us.

We also considered how to interpret the Old Testament through the lens of the cross. While the principles and promises of God remain, our relationship to them has changed. Practices like tithing, worship, and faith are transformed—not abolished, but elevated by the generosity and power of the Spirit. The cross is the tipping point of history, and through it, every spiritual blessing is lavished upon us. Our call is to receive, believe, and live out of this new reality, letting the river of God’s life flow through us to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Cross as the Fulcrum of History The cross of Jesus is the dividing line between the old and new covenants. It marks the end of striving for righteousness through human effort and the beginning of receiving righteousness as a gift. All of history, and our own spiritual journey, pivots on this moment—everything before the cross points toward it, and everything after flows from it. [68:22]
2. Righteousness Is a Gift, Not a Goal Under the old covenant, righteousness was something to be achieved through perfect obedience—a standard no one could meet. In the new covenant, Jesus’ perfect obedience is credited to us, making us as righteous as He is. This means our relationship with God is secure, not because of our performance, but because of Christ’s finished work. [69:37]
3. The Law Fulfilled and Written on Our Hearts Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, especially the law of love. Now, by the Holy Spirit, the law is written on our hearts, empowering us to live from love rather than striving to earn acceptance. The principles of God’s character remain, but our motivation and empowerment are entirely new. [74:41]
4. Living from Acceptance, Not for Acceptance In the new covenant, we start at the finish line—fully accepted, forgiven, and loved. We no longer live in fear of rejection or in a cycle of trying to earn God’s favor. Instead, we live from a place of deep security, allowing the river of God’s Spirit to flow through us and transform our lives from the inside out. [86:26]
5. Interpreting the Old Through the Cross While the Old Testament is full of wisdom and promises, everything must be interpreted through the cross. Practices like tithing, worship, and faith are not abolished but transformed—no longer rooted in fear or obligation, but in generosity, freedom, and the Spirit’s power. The cross elevates every promise and principle, calling us to a higher way of living. [100:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Community and Announcements
[03:30] - Introduction: The Power of the Cross
[07:10] - Overview of Biblical Covenants
[12:00] - Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants Explained
[18:30] - The Cross: Dividing Line of History
[23:50] - The Old Covenant: Performance and Law
[28:40] - The Need for a New Covenant
[34:00] - Jesus’ Perfect Obedience and Our Righteousness
[39:20] - The Law Fulfilled in Christ
[44:10] - Living from the New Covenant
[50:00] - Interpreting the Old Testament Through the Cross
[56:30] - Principles That Go Through the Cross
[63:00] - Worship, Faith, and Generosity in the New Covenant
[70:00] - Receiving and Living in the Promises
[76:00] - Invitation to Receive Jesus
[80:00] - Communion: Celebrating the New Covenant

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 10:4 (ESV) — > For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

2. Matthew 5:17 (ESV)
> “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

3. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
> For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 10:4, what does it mean that Christ is “the end of the law for righteousness”? How does this relate to the old and new covenants? [01:11:00]
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. What are some ways the sermon described Jesus fulfilling the law? [01:14:41]
The sermon described the old covenant as a “do good, get good; do bad, get bad” system. What were some examples given of how people related to God under the old covenant? [01:08:22]
Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is a gift, not a result of works. How did the sermon illustrate the difference between working for acceptance and living from acceptance? [01:26:26]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said that “righteousness is a gift, not a goal.” What does it mean for our relationship with God if we start at the finish line, already accepted and forgiven? [01:26:26]
How does understanding that the law is now “written on our hearts” by the Holy Spirit change the way we approach obedience and spiritual growth? [01:14:41]
The pastor mentioned that many Christians live in a “yo-yo” of blessing and cursing, acceptance and rejection. Why do you think it’s so easy to slip back into this mindset, even after hearing the message of grace? [01:08:22]
The sermon talked about interpreting Old Testament practices like tithing, worship, and faith through the lens of the cross. What are some practical ways this changes how we live out these practices today? [01:40:19]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “We don’t work for God’s favor, love, or acceptance; we live from it.” Is there an area of your life where you still feel like you have to earn God’s approval? What would it look like to live from acceptance instead? [01:26:26]
The pastor described the old covenant as a “treadmill of performance.” Are there spiritual habits or attitudes in your life that feel more like striving than resting in Christ? How could you shift your mindset this week? [01:08:22]
The law of love is now written on our hearts. Can you think of a recent situation where you felt the Holy Spirit prompting you to act in love, even when it was difficult? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [01:14:41]
The sermon encouraged us to interpret Old Testament promises and practices through the cross. Is there a specific Old Testament principle (like tithing, Sabbath, or worship) that you’ve struggled to understand or apply? How might viewing it through the cross bring clarity or freedom? [01:40:19]
The pastor said, “You start at the finish line—completely forgiven, perfectly accepted, and deeply loved.” How does this truth affect your confidence in prayer, worship, or sharing your faith with others? [01:26:26]
The message highlighted that the blessings of the new covenant flow “from the inside out, from the river of God’s Spirit within us.” What is one way you can intentionally let God’s Spirit flow through you to bless someone else this week? [01:14:41]
The sermon mentioned that “miracles are normal in this house” because of the new covenant. Do you expect God to work supernaturally in your life? Why or why not? How can you grow in faith for God’s power to be seen in and through you? [01:40:19]

Sermon Clips

The main thing that has changed has to do with righteousness. The main thing that has changed is to do with our new identity in Christ. No longer your righteousness before the cross is up to you. It's no longer about you do good get good, do bad get bad. This whole thing of blessing and cursing, up and down, yo-yo life is not for you. [01:05:49] (24 seconds) #NewIdentityInChrist

No one can keep this law. What were they thinking? No one can keep this law. You can never be righteous because it says even if you make one mistake, you're God. Man's old. It's not going to happen. You're out and it's not good. So you couldn't do it. So what did God do? God chose to give us a new covenant that was based on the perfect obedience of Jesus. [01:09:08] (28 seconds) #ImpossibleLawPerfectObedience

So how lucky are we that we are now on this side and we get this as a gift from God. And now our bank account is credited with the righteousness of God as the gift. Amen? Tell your neighbor that's good news. [01:10:05] (17 seconds) #RighteousnessGiftCelebration

The key to understanding this whole thing about the power of the cross and who you're with and what covenant you're in is that Jesus fulfilled the law for me. He lived a perfect life for me and for you. Amen? And then his righteousness becomes our righteousness. By faith we received this righteousness. [01:11:35] (25 seconds) #JesusFulfilledTheLaw

He even says if you're not perfect like my father is perfect, you're in trouble and everybody says how can I be as perfect as your father is perfect? It's only one way because of Jesus. He makes us perfect. The only way can be is a gift and that's why Christians are such happy Christians in our lives. [01:15:22] (18 seconds) #PerfectThroughJesusGift

You will never be more forgiven tomorrow because you confessed all these things than you are today, because there's nothing to do with you. It's a gift from God. Now, do you have to behave right? Absolutely. Can you do greasy grace? No... The purpose is you are born again of a new life is in you, so start flowing with the river that's in you and the river will start to take out all that rubbish out of your life. [01:26:05] (37 seconds) #ForgivenTodayAlways

You will never be loved more than you are loved today. He's not interested in your performance or in anything that you think that would more attain more kindness, so more love from God. Now, does he love that you do good things? Of course he does, I'm not talking about that. But the thing is though, your acceptance, grace, the acceptance, love of God will never change. It's always the same. You're a loved son and daughter of God because it's a gift from God. [01:28:24] (27 seconds) #UnchangingGodsLove

Miracles are normal in this house in the new covenant. Jesus was a miracle man and so we can do miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit which is in us. For all God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ, all of them. Here too, you gotta go in Christ. Christ, yeah, beautiful. And through Christ our amen, which is saying yes, you engage with those principles, you live by them, things happen in your life. You can expect the promise of God to happen in your life. It's agreement that he's looking for to say yes, it's already given to you, but for you to exercise the principles, exercise the promises. [01:36:32] (47 seconds) #MiraclesThroughFaith

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