Living in Covenant: Obedience, Sacrifice, and Transformation

The sermon focuses on the theme of God's covenant with His people, emphasizing the importance of obedience, sacrifice, and the transformation of the heart. The speaker begins by referencing Exodus, where God promises to carry the descendants of Israel on Eagle's Wings and make them His special treasure if they obey His covenant. The family institution is highlighted as crucial, with the speaker noting that societal moral corruption first impacts the family. The eternal and unchanging nature of God's word is contrasted with the ever-changing world.

Obedience and sacrifice are central to the sermon, with Jesus' example of obedience and surrender leading to the redemption of the world. The speaker challenges the congregation to consider their sacrifices to God and how they stand out as holy and righteous people. The importance of being set apart for God's purposes is emphasized, with the belief that the world will be saved when believers stand out.

The congregation is called to be priests in a Priestly Kingdom, offering their blessings back to God as worship. The speaker prays for God's blessing upon the congregation and recognizes Jesus as the one who has given them the power to create wealth. The sermon concludes with a message of grace, love, and fellowship.

The speaker also discusses the importance of standing out and being authentic, reminding the audience that they are God's masterpieces. The sermon poses the question of whether the listeners are among the called or the chosen, urging them to respond to God's call and surrender their lives to Him. The speaker invites the audience to reflect on their relationship with God and to respond to His call.

Believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices to God every day, keeping the Covenant alive. The speaker emphasizes that the sacrifices that please God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Covenant people do not truly own anything, as everything they possess belongs to God. The concept of sacrifice is defined as letting go of what one loves for what God loves.

The speaker addresses the importance of discerning Jesus' sacrifice and having a relationship with Him. They encourage the congregation to examine themselves and repent of any sin, focusing on Jesus' sacrifice rather than their own worthiness. The significance of Jesus' actions during the Last Supper is highlighted, with the congregation encouraged to remember Jesus' sacrifice through communion.

The sermon calls believers to live as a holy and separate people, fulfilling their assignment on Earth. The speaker prays for boldness to declare their righteousness in God and emphasizes the importance of giving as an act of worship. Obedience is key to being God's treasured people and experiencing His goodness.

The speaker discusses the importance of examining oneself before communion, warning against partaking unworthily and inviting God's judgment. They emphasize the need to honor the body of Christ and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice.

The family is presented as the foundation of society, with the speaker using their own marriage as an example. The Covenant of marriage is highlighted as the first commandment given by God. The consequences of breaking the covenant of marriage are discussed, with the speaker asserting that when men are in their rightful place, the world will be right.

The speaker prays for individuals to be recognized as covenant people of God, set apart for Kingdom work. They praise God for His uniqueness and pray for the congregation to live obediently and differently from the world.

The concept of being a "holy nation" is discussed, with the speaker emphasizing the need to follow God's commandments and transform the heart. The New Testament's portrayal of all believers as priests is also mentioned.

The speaker expresses gratitude for Jesus and leads the congregation in a prayer of gratitude and self-forgiveness. They encourage the congregation to praise and worship Jesus for who He is and for His sacrifice.

The importance of the family unit is reiterated, with the speaker emphasizing the need to address and strengthen the family to prevent the spread of corruption. The interconnectedness of everything around an individual is highlighted, and the need to prevent the spread of corruption by strengthening the family unit is emphasized.

The speaker expresses gratitude to God for the upcoming year and the importance of thanking and praising God. The significance of Jesus' presence in their fellowship is discussed, with the congregation encouraged to remember Jesus' sacrifice through communion.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a heart of flesh and yielding to the spirit of God. Obedience is stressed as an action word, and the need to not only hear God's instructions but also to do them is highlighted.

The speaker expresses a desire to glorify Jesus and exalt His name, leading the congregation in a prayer of thanksgiving. The importance of love and surrendering one's heart to God is emphasized, with the speaker encouraging the audience to pray a prayer of faith and inviting Jesus into their hearts.

The Word of God becoming flesh is discussed, with the speaker explaining that victory and abundance come when the Word becomes flesh. The importance of having a heart of flesh that yields to the Spirit is emphasized.

The speaker expresses gratitude for the congregation's obedience and sincerity, offering a prayer for God's will to be done in their lives. They pray for the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of the congregation's lives and for them to live a victorious, abundant, and obedient life.

The concept of having a new heart is discussed, with the speaker explaining that the old heart is self-seeking and deceitful, while the new heart allows individuals to walk in God's statutes and keep His judgments.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

Exodus 19:3-6 (NIV) — > Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

2. 1 Corinthians 11:24-29 (NIV)
> And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

3. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Observation Questions

1. What promise does God make to the family of Jacob and the descendants of Israel in Exodus 19:3-6?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 11:24-29, what should believers do before partaking in communion?
3. What transformation does God promise in Ezekiel 36:26-27?

Interpretation Questions

1. How does the concept of being a "kingdom of priests" and a "holy nation" in Exodus 19:3-6 relate to the idea of being set apart for God's purposes? [01:07:05]
2. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-29, what does it mean to partake in communion "in an unworthy manner," and why is self-examination important before communion? [54:02]
3. What is the significance of God giving a "new heart" and a "new spirit" in Ezekiel 36:26-27, and how does this relate to the transformation of believers' lives? [01:34:40]

Application Questions

1. Reflecting on Exodus 19:3-6, how can you actively live out your role as part of God's "kingdom of priests" in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to be set apart for God's purposes? [01:07:05]
2. Before taking communion, what steps can you take to ensure you are partaking in a worthy manner? How can you incorporate regular self-examination and repentance into your spiritual practice? [54:02]
3. In what ways can you strengthen your family unit to reflect God's covenant and prevent moral corruption? Are there specific areas in your family life that need attention or improvement? [01:14:14]
4. How can you cultivate a "broken spirit and a contrite heart" that pleases God, as mentioned in the sermon? What practical steps can you take to maintain humility and repentance in your relationship with God? [01:24:09]
5. Considering the transformation from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh in Ezekiel 36:26-27, what areas of your life need a change of heart? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in those areas? [01:34:40]
6. How can you ensure that your worship and sacrifices to God are genuine and from the heart rather than mere external actions? What changes can you make to your worship practices to reflect true devotion? [01:24:09]
7. Reflect on the importance of obedience as an action word. What specific instructions from God have you heard but not yet acted upon? How can you take steps to obey God's commands more fully in your life? [01:41:16]