Seeing Through God's Eyes: A New Covenant Perspective

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to see others as God sees them. When encountering those who have wronged us, it's helpful to view them as spiritually afflicted, much like lepers. This perspective fosters compassion rather than hatred, allowing us to pray for their healing and transformation. This understanding is a call to ask God to open our eyes to see people through His lens, fostering empathy and love.

A significant distinction between Old Covenant and New Covenant Christians lies in their attitude towards money and material possessions. The Old Covenant often emphasized material blessings as a sign of God's favor, as seen in Deuteronomy 28. However, the New Covenant shifts the focus to spiritual salvation, primarily from sin, rather than material wealth or health. Jesus came to save us from our sins, not necessarily from poverty or sickness. This is a profound shift in understanding what it means to be blessed.

In the New Covenant, the promise is not about material prosperity but about seeking God's kingdom first. This involves pursuing righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. When we prioritize these spiritual values, God promises to provide for our needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. This is a testament to living a life centered on God's kingdom rather than material wealth.

The challenge for many is the temptation to serve both God and money. Jesus clearly stated that one cannot serve two masters. The true test of whom we serve is revealed in our choices and priorities. If we find ourselves more concerned with material wealth than spiritual growth, we may be living under the Old Covenant mindset. However, acknowledging past mistakes and seeking forgiveness can realign us with God's purpose.

Ultimately, the promise of the New Covenant is that a righteous person will not be forsaken, and their descendants will not beg for bread. This assurance is not about becoming wealthy but about having our needs met as we live righteously. It's a call to trust in God's provision and to live a life that reflects His kingdom values.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Viewing those who wrong us as spiritually afflicted encourages compassion and prayer for their healing, aligning our perspective with God's view. [00:40]
• 2. The New Covenant emphasizes salvation from sin over material wealth, contrasting with the Old Covenant's focus on health and prosperity. [07:24]
• 3. Seeking God's kingdom involves prioritizing righteousness, peace, and joy, with the promise that our material needs will be met. [13:15]
• 4. Serving God requires choosing Him over material wealth, as one cannot serve two masters. Our choices reveal whom we truly serve. [17:04]
• 5. The promise of the New Covenant is that the righteous will not be forsaken, and their descendants will have their needs met, emphasizing trust in God's provision. [21:02]
  ** [21:02]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Spiritual Leprosy and Compassion
• [01:15] - Seeing People Through God's Eyes
• [02:14] - Attitude Towards Money
• [03:33] - Old Covenant Gospel
• [04:19] - Health and Wealth Misconceptions
• [07:07] - New Covenant Salvation
• [09:10] - Jesus and Sickness
• [10:11] - Prioritizing Sin Over Sickness
• [12:31] - God's Provision in the New Covenant
• [14:21] - Seeking God's Kingdom
• [16:02] - Testimony of a New Covenant Life
• [17:04] - Serving God vs. Money
• [19:21] - Obedience and Service
• [21:02] - Promise of Provision for the Righteous

1. Deuteronomy 28:1-14
2. Matthew 1:21
3. Matthew 6:33

1. How does the sermon describe the way we should view those who have wronged us, and what biblical analogy is used to illustrate this perspective? [00:40]
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary focus of the New Covenant compared to the Old Covenant, especially in terms of blessings? [07:24]
3. What does the sermon say about the relationship between serving God and money, and how does it relate to the concept of having two masters? [17:04]
4. What promise does the sermon highlight from Psalm 37 regarding the righteous and their descendants? [21:02]

1. What might it mean to see others as God sees them, especially those who have wronged us, and how can this perspective change our interactions with them? [01:15]
2. How does the shift from material blessings in the Old Covenant to spiritual salvation in the New Covenant affect a believer's understanding of what it means to be blessed? [07:24]
3. In what ways does prioritizing God's kingdom, as described in Matthew 6:33, challenge common societal values about success and prosperity? [13:15]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers can identify whether they are serving God or money, and what practical steps can be taken to ensure God is the priority? [19:21]

1. Reflect on a time when someone wronged you. How might viewing them as spiritually afflicted, as suggested in the sermon, change your response to them? [00:40]
2. Consider your current attitude towards money and material possessions. How does it align with the New Covenant focus on spiritual salvation over material wealth? What changes might you need to make? [02:14]
3. What specific actions can you take this week to seek God's kingdom first, focusing on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit? [14:21]
4. Identify a recent decision where you felt torn between serving God and pursuing material wealth. How did you resolve it, and what might you do differently in the future? [17:04]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision, especially in areas where you feel anxious about your needs being met? [21:02]
6. Think of a person or situation that tests your ability to show compassion. What practical steps can you take to see them through God's eyes and respond with empathy? [01:15]
7. Reflect on your life priorities. Are there areas where you might be living with an Old Covenant mindset? How can you realign these priorities to reflect New Covenant values? [10:11]