Transformative Faith: Embracing a Personal Covenant with Christ

 

Summary

In the message delivered by Aon McGinness, the focus is on the transformative power of a personal relationship with Christ and the importance of intentionality in one's spiritual journey. McGinness begins by reflecting on the challenges of the previous year, including personal struggles with health and the added responsibilities that come with ministry work. He uses these experiences to highlight the growth that can come from facing and overcoming challenges, especially when one's efforts are aligned with a spiritual purpose.

McGinness emphasizes the significance of understanding the 'why' behind one's actions, particularly in the context of faith. He illustrates this through the act of taking communion, which is not just a ritual but a renewal of a covenant with Christ. This covenant brings new opportunities, strength, perspective, knowledge, and responsibilities. He likens these responsibilities to those in a marriage, where both parties must contribute and respond to maintain the relationship.

The message further delves into the personal testimony of McGinness, who shares his initial resistance to attending church and how it was primarily to please his wife. However, through the persistent love and spiritual support from the community and the messages delivered at the church, his heart began to soften, leading to a genuine desire to engage with the church and serve within it. This personal transformation underscores the importance of doing things for oneself, not just to meet the expectations of others.

McGinness also discusses the concept of spiritual battles and the unseen forces that influence our lives. He stresses that one cannot casually stumble into a profound spiritual experience; it requires active engagement and a reciprocal relationship with God. Knowing one's 'why' is crucial in this journey, as it provides the necessary motivation to persevere through challenges.

The message concludes with an invitation to start a new life in Christ, emphasizing that this decision should be made for oneself, not for others. McGinness assures that this commitment to Christ is a covenant that will not fail and will yield guaranteed fruit in one's life. He encourages the congregation to prioritize their relationship with the Lord and to recognize that there is more to each individual than meets the eye—the 'Christ part' of oneself.

Key Takeaways:

- The act of taking communion is not merely a religious routine but a profound renewal of a covenant with Christ, which brings with it new opportunities, strength, perspective, knowledge, and responsibilities. This covenant is akin to a marriage, requiring active contribution and response from both parties to flourish. [34:15]

- Personal transformation in faith often begins with external motivations but must evolve into a personal desire and commitment. McGinness's own journey from attending church to please his wife to finding a genuine connection with the community and God illustrates the importance of finding one's own 'why' in the spiritual journey. [45:14]

- Spiritual growth and experiencing God's presence require intentional engagement and cannot be achieved passively. Understanding that spiritual battles are real and that one must actively participate in the relationship with God is essential for a deeper spiritual life. [39:52]

- Making a commitment to Christ should be a personal decision, not influenced by the expectations of others. This commitment is a covenant that promises to bear fruit in one's life, and it requires the individual to want it for themselves, not just as a fulfillment of someone else's desires. [53:09]

- There is more to each individual than what is visible on the surface. Recognizing the 'Christ part' of oneself can lead to a deeper understanding of one's purpose and potential. Prioritizing a relationship with the Lord and embracing the responsibilities that come with it can lead to a fulfilling new life in Christ. [54:22]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 1:1-3: "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."

2. Romans 14:8: "If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 1:1-3 say about the benefits of delighting in the law of the Lord?
2. How does Aon McGinness describe the act of taking communion in his sermon? ([34:15])
3. What was Aon’s initial reason for attending church, and how did his motivation change over time? ([45:14])
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the new opportunities and responsibilities that come with entering into a covenant with Christ? ([34:50])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Psalm 1:1-3, what does it mean to be "like trees planted along the riverbank"? How does this imagery relate to spiritual growth and stability?
2. How does Aon’s personal testimony illustrate the importance of finding one's own 'why' in the spiritual journey? ([45:14])
3. What does Romans 14:8 suggest about the purpose of our lives, and how does this align with the sermon’s message about intentionality in our spiritual journey?
4. How does the concept of spiritual battles and the need for active engagement with God, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the idea of bearing fruit in every season as mentioned in Psalm 1:3? ([39:52])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own reasons for attending church or engaging in spiritual practices. Are they motivated by personal desire or external expectations? How can you shift towards a more personal commitment? ([45:14])
2. Aon emphasized the importance of intentional prayer. What steps can you take to make your prayer life more intentional and focused this week? ([32:33])
3. Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did your understanding of your 'why' help you navigate through it? If you didn’t have a clear 'why,' how might that have affected your response? ([40:32])
4. Aon mentioned the transformative power of community and spiritual support. Identify one person in your church community who has supported you spiritually. How can you express your gratitude to them this week? ([44:39])
5. The sermon discussed the idea of spiritual battles and the need for active engagement. What are some practical ways you can actively engage in your relationship with God this week? ([39:52])
6. Reflect on the concept of the 'Christ part' of yourself. How can recognizing this aspect of your identity influence your daily actions and decisions? ([54:22])
7. Aon talked about the importance of doing things for oneself, not just to meet the expectations of others. What is one spiritual practice you can commit to this week purely for your own growth and relationship with God? ([47:42])

Devotional

Day 1: Covenant Renewal Through Communion
Communion is a sacred act of renewing one's covenant with Christ, bringing forth new opportunities and responsibilities akin to those in a marriage. It is a time to reflect on the depth of this spiritual union and the mutual commitment it entails. This is not a mere tradition but a profound expression of faith and dedication to the journey with Christ. [34:15]

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 - "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.'"
Reflection: How does taking communion deepen your understanding of the covenant with Christ, and how might this influence your daily walk with Him?

Day 2: Authenticity in Spiritual Commitment
The journey to a genuine faith often starts with external motivations but must transition to a personal commitment. This transformation is a testament to the power of community and the persistent love of God that touches hearts, leading to a sincere desire to engage with the church and serve within it. [45:14]

James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: Can you identify a moment when your motivation for spiritual practices shifted from external to internal, and how has this impacted your relationship with God?

Day 3: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual growth requires active engagement and cannot be achieved passively. Recognizing the reality of spiritual battles and the need for a reciprocal relationship with God is essential for a profound spiritual experience. One must be intentional in seeking God's presence and strength. [39:52]

Ephesians 6:12-13 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively engage in your spiritual life to better prepare for and confront the unseen battles you face?

Day 4: Personal Decision for Christ
Choosing to follow Christ is a deeply personal decision that should not be influenced by others' expectations. This commitment is a covenant that promises to bear fruit in one's life, requiring a genuine desire from the individual. [53:09]

Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on your decision to follow Christ. Was it influenced by others, or was it a personal choice, and how does this shape your faith journey today?

Day 5: Embracing the 'Christ Part' of Ourselves
There is more to each individual than what is visible on the surface. Recognizing and embracing the 'Christ part' of oneself can lead to a deeper understanding of one's purpose and potential, encouraging a prioritization of the relationship with the Lord. [54:22]

Colossians 3:3-4 - "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: How can you nurture the 'Christ part' of yourself this week, and what might be the visible signs of this growth in your daily life?

Quotes

1) "We will never casually wander into the greatest presence of the Lord. You're never going to just trip and fall into an anointing with angels and God. It's a relationship and it's a covenant, like a marriage." [39:52] (Download)

2) "You have to know your why because anything great worth pursuing in your life has to have a great reasoning that can transcend all the things you're going to encounter on this journey." [40:32] (Download)

3) "Fruit is undeniable in someone's life. The result of abiding and obedience and living in the way that Christ would have you to live, it's falling out of you and you can't deny it." [50:04] (Download)

4) "You've got to do this for yourself. If we are going to do something as profound as giving our life to Christ and we do it for someone else, we're missing it big time." [47:42] (Download)

5) "When you meditate on His word and hide it within your heart, He reveals things to you that He can't when you're so busy with everything else." [48:16] (Download)

6) "When you enter into a covenant with Christ, you now have someone backing you up. It comes with new opportunities, new strength, a new perspective, and new knowledge." [34:50] (Download)

7) "You are the reason why you should enter into a covenant with Christ. If you don't want it for yourself, it's not going to stand strong. It's going to crumble." [53:09] (Download)

8) "There's more to you than you think, there's more than to you than you see when you look in the mirror, and that's the Christ part of you." [54:22] (Download)

9) "When you embrace these responsibilities, this opportunity, you have to know full well that God's promises are yes and amen. They're not empty or void." [37:32] (Download)

10) "I was doing this unto my wife instead of unto the Lord, and because of that, I'm missing out on all the incredible promises and a relationship with Christ." [47:05] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?