God is faithfully present whenever His people gather in His name. This is not a distant hope but a present reality, a foundation for our collective and individual faith. In that sacred space of togetherness, He has promised to bring strength, fresh hope, and a new joy through His Spirit. We can confidently receive these blessings because He is already here with us. [20:56]
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20, ESV)
Reflection: As you reflect on your recent times of gathering with other believers, when have you been most aware of God’s tangible presence? What was it about that moment—the worship, the prayer, the teaching—that helped you receive His strength or joy?
God’s promises are released not by passive waiting but by active, expectant faith. He responds to our belief, opening the windows of heaven to pour out blessings that exceed our capacity to contain them. This divine response is directly connected to our willingness to trust and believe His word. Our faith is the channel through which His power moves. [44:48]
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” (Mark 10:52, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a specific promise from God you are believing for. What is one practical step you can take this week that actively demonstrates your faith in that promise?
Under the New Covenant, our personal praise has become the sweet incense that rises to God. It is not in rituals, objects, or candles that God dwells, but in the genuine praises of His people. This praise pleases Him and invites His blessing into our lives, creating an atmosphere where He is enthroned and moves on our behalf. [54:06]
“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3, ESV)
Reflection: In your private moments, what does your personal praise to God sound like? How might you cultivate a more consistent heart of praise throughout your daily routine, making it a sweet aroma to Him?
We are called to be discerning, carefully weighing the teachings we accept against the truth of God’s Word. A religious spirit is particularly dangerous because it masks deception with a facade of rightness, leading people away from genuine truth. The call is to stay prayerful, watchful, and humble, ensuring our foundation remains firmly in Christ alone. [58:10]
“Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)
Reflection: When you encounter a new spiritual teaching or idea, what process do you use to test it and ensure it aligns with Scripture? Is there a specific area where you feel God is inviting you to grow in discernment?
True faith must be coupled with the courage to obey God’s leading. Salvation makes us right with God, but the ongoing process of sanctification requires our courageous participation to address what is wrong within us. It takes bravery to act on what we believe, to step out in obedience even when it challenges our comfort or pride. [01:10:29]
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you know God is calling you to obedient action, yet it requires courage you feel you lack? How can you rely on His promise to be with you as you take that step?
Faith insists that God already dwells among those who gather in His name, and that presence carries tangible blessings: strength, renewed hope, and fresh joy in the Spirit. Prayer lifts the needs of the sick and weary, remembering specific families and individuals and acknowledging that comparative suffering should prompt gratitude rather than despair. Generosity matters; cheerful, reverent obedience in giving triggers divine promises—God will "open the windows of heaven" and pour out blessings beyond capacity. Provision may arrive in surprising ways, and ordinary interruptions in the world can become conduits of God's supply.
Worship functions as more than atmosphere; praise becomes the habitation of God. The Old Covenant’s rituals and symbols do not transfer power to New Covenant believers: candles and incense mean nothing apart from a heart of praise. God delights in the genuine scent of thanksgiving and listens to faith voiced in worship. Those who tune their spiritual ears to that presence often experience breakthroughs that others miss because praise and readiness invite God’s active blessing.
Discernment and humility prove essential. New teachings and charismatic movements require careful testing against Scripture and sound doctrine; tenets reveal true belief and ought to be examined before alignment. A religious spirit poses particular danger because it cloaks error in certainty—self-assured righteousness resists correction and can mislead many. Faith without sanctification leaves unresolved character issues; salvation restores relationship, but the ongoing work of sanctification repairs what remains broken in behavior and motive.
Courage undergirds obedient faith: hearing God requires prompt obedience, and obedience requires humility to address pride. Stories of God standing still to hear a faithful request emphasize that God responds according to faith and that bold, simple trust often moves Him to act. The community is called to remain watchful, prayerful, and inclusive in posture, yet discerning in doctrine. God honors genuine praise, faithful giving, and a repentant, obedient heart as the means by which He manifests blessing, correction, and deeper transformation.
God had to deal with his arrogance. Well, yeah. And when he got through dealing with his arrogance, he loved the Lord, but he had a problem. He had a he had a evil problem. Salvation don't don't correct what's really wrong with you. It just make you right with God. Then the process of sanctification works on what's wrong with you. Yes, sir. And look at somebody and say, all of us got something wrong with
[01:12:04]
(32 seconds)
#SavedNotPerfect
So my point being New Testament, New Covenant believers and remember, we have a better covenant built on better promises. All our instance is our personal praise. And when you pray Yeah. See, that's the sweet smell of celery. Yeah. Now not candles. Candles don't do nothing for you. Right. You can do all that you want. God ain't in it. Nope. Nope. This is what he's in. He said, I inherited. I dwelled in the praises of my people. And that's where this saying come when the praises go up, not candlelight.
[00:54:06]
(88 seconds)
#PraiseOverRituals
We done said it. We done shouted it. Yes. Over the years. Yes. We haven't seen like we're getting ready to see. Yes. Alright. Because God is getting ready to do it one more time. That's right. He is. Would you prove yourself, Lord, right now in the universe Yes. Has his people that are not afraid of nothing on this earth. Nothing in the earth beneath or nothing in the elements of love. Yeah. They just dare to take God at his word.
[00:47:17]
(53 seconds)
#ExpectingRevival
And my wife said, he's not that kind of bishop. Now what's the point of me saying that? See, in the old covenant, see, you don't you don't have to do nothing but look at how they believe God. That's the purpose of knowing the Old Testament. Right. Because their faith moved God to work his covenant on their behalf. That's what you glean for, but nothing that they did in the old covenant matters now except what I just said. You don't need no green candle for money. You don't need no black candle, no red candle, no white candle unless you don't have no electricity.
[00:51:15]
(49 seconds)
#FaithOverSuperstition
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 13, 2026. Do you have any questions about it?
Add this chatbot onto your site with the embed code below
<iframe frameborder="0" src="https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/new-covenant-blessing" width="100%" height="100%" style="height:100vh;"></iframe>Copy