Embracing the Transformative Power of the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance in Christ's Unfailing Acceptance

Understanding that Christ will never reject those who come to Him is foundational for spiritual growth. This assurance is rooted in the promises of Scripture, such as John 6:37, which states that all who come to Christ will not be cast out. This promise provides a firm anchor for our faith, preventing spiritual drift and uncertainty. By trusting in God's word, believers can find peace and confidence in their relationship with Christ, knowing that His acceptance is unwavering. [02:02]

John 10:28-29 (ESV): "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Reflection: Consider a time when you doubted your acceptance in Christ. How can you remind yourself of His promise of unwavering acceptance today?

Day 2: Embracing the New Covenant's Transformative Righteousness

The new covenant calls believers to a higher standard of righteousness that surpasses mere external adherence to laws. This involves an internal transformation where anger is equated with murder and lust with adultery. Achieving this standard requires the Holy Spirit's power, which transforms our hearts and minds. This internal change is the essence of living under the new covenant, where righteousness is not just about actions but about the condition of the heart. [09:25]

Matthew 5:20 (ESV): "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you rely on external actions rather than internal transformation. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring about change in this area?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Role in Empowering Believers

The Holy Spirit is essential for living out the new covenant. He empowers believers to overcome internal sins and to live a life characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy. This internal transformation is the essence of the kingdom of God within us. By relying on the Holy Spirit, believers can experience true freedom and power to live victoriously over sin and to love God and others wholeheartedly. [23:58]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional about seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life?

Day 4: The Non-Negotiable Nature of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a critical aspect of the new covenant life. Jesus warns that failing to forgive others can hinder our own forgiveness from God. This underscores the importance of releasing others from their debts to us, as a reflection of God's forgiveness towards us. Embracing forgiveness allows believers to experience the fullness of God's grace and to live in harmony with others. [30:09]

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV): "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Day 5: Pursuing Peace and Joy Through the Holy Spirit

Peace and joy are integral to the new covenant life. They are not dependent on external circumstances but are fruits of the Holy Spirit's work within us. Pursuing peace with others and maintaining joy in the Lord are signs of a life transformed by the new covenant. By focusing on these fruits, believers can experience a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling life. [32:19]

Romans 14:17 (ESV): "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to pursue peace and joy in your life, regardless of your circumstances?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, I shared a personal journey of faith that began in a Christian family and evolved through a profound understanding of the new covenant in Christ. My early years were marked by uncertainty about salvation, despite being raised in a Christian environment. It wasn't until I encountered John 6:37 that I found assurance in Christ's acceptance, which became a turning point in my spiritual journey. This revelation led me to leave a promising career in the Indian Navy to serve God full-time, resulting in the planting of over 100 churches across 14 countries.

The core of my message today was the transformative power of the new covenant, which is often misunderstood or overlooked by many believers. The new covenant, established through Christ's sacrifice, calls us to a higher standard of righteousness than the old covenant. This righteousness is not about external adherence to laws but about an internal transformation characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. I emphasized that many Christians, including myself in the past, live under the old covenant's shadow, failing to grasp the freedom and power available through the new covenant.

I shared personal struggles with sin and hypocrisy, highlighting the importance of genuine spiritual growth. The new covenant invites us to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees by addressing internal sins like anger and lust, which Jesus equates with murder and adultery. This higher standard is only achievable through the Holy Spirit's power, which transforms our hearts and minds.

Furthermore, I discussed the importance of forgiveness, peace, and joy as integral aspects of the new covenant life. Forgiveness is crucial, as Jesus warns that unforgiveness can hinder our own forgiveness from God. Peace and joy, often elusive, are attainable through the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live victoriously over sin and to love God and others wholeheartedly.

Key Takeaways

1. Negotiable:** Forgiveness is a critical aspect of the new covenant life. Jesus warns that failing to forgive others can hinder our own forgiveness from God. This underscores the importance of releasing others from their debts to us, as a reflection of God's forgiveness towards us. [30:09]
5. Pursuing Peace and Joy: Peace and joy are integral to the new covenant life. They are not dependent on external circumstances but are fruits of the Holy Spirit's work within us. Pursuing peace with others and maintaining joy in the Lord are signs of a life transformed by the new covenant.

** [30:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction and Personal Background
[01:31] - Assurance in Christ
[02:31] - Baptism and Calling
[03:52] - Understanding the New Covenant
[05:16] - Old Covenant vs. New Covenant
[07:31] - Righteousness Beyond the Pharisees
[09:07] - Sermon on the Mount Insights
[11:18] - Internal Transformation
[14:01] - Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
[17:20] - Discovering the New Covenant
[20:31] - Kingdom of God Explained
[23:18] - Forgiveness and the New Covenant
[26:36] - Righteousness and Love
[30:09] - The Importance of Forgiveness
[32:19] - Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit
[34:20] - Invitation to Thirst for the Holy Spirit
[36:42] - Conclusion and Poem
[39:18] - Baptism Ceremony
[52:57] - Benediction and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

John 6:37
Hebrews 8:13
Matthew 5:20

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Observation Questions:

What was the personal revelation that the pastor experienced from John 6:37, and how did it impact his spiritual journey? [01:45]
According to the sermon, what does Hebrews 8:13 say about the old covenant, and how is it described in terms of its relevance today? [04:30]
In Matthew 5:20, Jesus speaks about righteousness. How does the pastor explain the difference between the righteousness of the Pharisees and the righteousness required under the new covenant? [07:31]
What are the three components of the kingdom of God as described in Romans 14:17, and how do they relate to the new covenant? [20:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the pastor's understanding of John 6:37 provide assurance of Christ's acceptance, and why is this assurance foundational for spiritual growth? [02:02]
What does the pastor mean when he says that many Christians live under the shadow of the old covenant, and how does this affect their spiritual lives? [05:46]
How does the pastor interpret Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:20 about exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in achieving this standard? [09:25]
Why does the pastor emphasize forgiveness as a non-negotiable aspect of the new covenant, and what are the consequences of unforgiveness according to Matthew 6:15? [30:09]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own journey of faith. Have you experienced a moment of assurance in Christ's acceptance similar to the pastor's experience with John 6:37? How did it change your perspective on your faith journey? [02:02]
The pastor left a promising career to serve God full-time. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to make a significant change or sacrifice for your faith? What steps can you take to pursue this calling? [02:45]
Consider the pastor's discussion on the new covenant's higher standard of righteousness. Are there internal sins, such as anger or lust, that you struggle with? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's power to overcome them? [09:25]
Forgiveness is highlighted as crucial in the new covenant. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? What practical steps can you take to release any unforgiveness and experience peace? [30:09]
The pastor speaks about pursuing peace and joy as integral to the new covenant life. How can you cultivate peace and joy in your daily life, regardless of external circumstances? [32:19]
Reflect on the pastor's emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in living out the new covenant. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in your spiritual journey? [23:58]
The pastor mentions the importance of loving God and others wholeheartedly. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate love to someone in your community this week. [24:30]

Sermon Clips

I was born in a Christian family, my father was born again but I never knew what it was to be sure that I was saved. But he used to take me to meetings and I think from the age of 13 onwards, I must have asked Jesus to come into my heart a hundred times, never sure did he come he didn't come I don't know. [00:01:00]

I read one verse in the Bible, I used to read it daily and that day my portion was John 6:37. I say this, it may help someone here who probably has a need for it John 6:37, him that cometh to me, I will not cast out, and it came to my heart like a revelation. [00:01:33]

The new covenant was established on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon people, and that day the old covenant was abolished it says obsolete. But I'll tell you what I've seen in many many countries of believers they are living under the old covenant, and perhaps many of you are without knowing it. [00:05:22]

Your righteousness in the new covenant has to be higher than the righteousness of the old covenant, which the Pharisees had. The old covenant was for the nation of Israel, it's not for the church. The new covenant is for the church, and in the new covenant our righteousness is above the righteousness of the old covenant because that's how we enter the kingdom of heaven. [00:07:51]

Jesus explained what the righteousness of the new covenant was in the succeeding verses in Matthew 5 we know it as a sermon on the mount. I'll give you a little gist of some of the things he said in the sermon on the mount, he said in the old covenant they said don't commit murder, Matthew 5:21-22 I say don't get angry. [00:09:00]

I want a Christian life that satisfies me, not one that I'm ashamed less people discover my private life, ashamed less people come into my house and see how I talk to my wife, ashamed of they're discovering something the way I'm handling my finances something unrighteous something unclean, ashamed of allowing people to come to see what's going on in my thoughts. [00:14:29]

I was reading the standards all right as I said I was not committing any external sins anybody watched my watched my external life could examine every area of my external life absolutely clean I never cheated anybody I paid all my taxes I wasn't fooling around with women but my inner life was dirty my thought life was dirty. [00:15:29]

I discovered that the kingdom of God is not preaching the gospel Romans 14:17 the kingdom of God is not even eating and drinking it is three things righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit that is the kingdom of God just like the old covenant was for Israelites a kingdom of earth was for the Israelites. [00:20:20]

The kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God is for us Christians, and the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God it's the same thing, Matthew calls it the kingdom of heaven, other gospels call it the kingdom of God, it is not a physical thing, it's in our heart the kingdom of God is within you if you have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [00:21:01]

If you do not forgive others Matthew 6:15 will not forgive your sins heaven and earth will pass away but those words of Jesus will never pass away God's not saying telling us to scare us he's warning us it's like we warn children don't play with fire it's dangerous it's not you're not trying to frighten your children when you say don't play with fire you're telling to be careful. [00:30:39]

Peace that's another thing the kingdom of God is peace that's another thing I found I didn't have I used to be a lot of you know anxiety and discouragement and sometimes condemning myself and I said lord I want peace in my heart and I want peace with all people let me begin with the outside first before we go inside peace with everyone. [00:31:01]

Jesus said in Acts 1:8 you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit does come there's so much confusion concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit but I've come to see the Holy Spirit has come to bring the kingdom of God inside me to bring righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit he's a loving father. [00:32:52]

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Embracing the Transformative Power of the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance in Christ's Unfailing Acceptance

Day 2: Embracing the New Covenant's Transformative Righteousness

Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Role in Empowering Believers

Day 4: The Non-Negotiable Nature of Forgiveness

Day 5: Pursuing Peace and Joy Through the Holy Spirit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing the Transformative Power of the New Covenant

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