Transformative Power of the New Covenant

The New Covenant is a transformative agreement that calls us to live radically by its principles, which can change our lives if we choose to obey it fully. This covenant is not about adhering to a set of rules, but about God working within us to make us like Jesus, who lived a sinless life. The New Covenant is about God writing His laws on our hearts and minds, and our role is to have faith and say "Amen" to His promises, just as Abraham did. This faith is not passive but requires active participation in God's work, armed with grace and justified by Christ's sacrifice.

The life of Jesus is the new wine, and it must be poured into new wineskins, which represent our lives and the church. The life of Jesus is not merely about being sinless but about being filled with His divine nature, which loves righteousness and hates sin. This transformation is akin to the miracle of turning water into wine, where our obedience fills the waterpots, but it is Jesus who turns it into wine. Our role is to fill the waterpots with water, representing our obedience, and trust God to perform the miracle of transformation.

The New Covenant also emphasizes the importance of the church as the new wineskin. The church is where we experience the fullness of God's love and grow in the life of Jesus. It is not about old covenant practices or rituals but about living in the reality of the New Covenant, where we have direct access to God and are part of a community that supports and encourages us in our faith journey.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The New Covenant is about God working within us to make us like Jesus, who lived a sinless life. It requires our active participation and faith, just as Abraham believed God's promises. This faith is not passive but involves a commitment to live by the principles of the New Covenant. [03:24]
• 2. The life of Jesus is the new wine, and it must be poured into new wineskins, representing our lives and the church. This transformation is not just about being sinless but about being filled with the divine nature that loves righteousness and hates sin. [10:44]
• 3. Our role in the New Covenant is to fill the waterpots with water, representing our obedience, and trust God to perform the miracle of transformation. This requires perseverance and faith, even when we don't see immediate results. [17:31]
• 4. The church is the new wineskin where we experience the fullness of God's love and grow in the life of Jesus. It is not about old covenant practices or rituals but about living in the reality of the New Covenant, where we have direct access to God and are part of a supportive community. [37:31]
• 5. The New Covenant calls us to live radically by its principles, which can change our lives if we choose to obey it fully. It is not about adhering to a set of rules but about God writing His laws on our hearts and minds, and our role is to have faith and say "Amen" to His promises. [00:45]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Introduction to the New Covenant
• [01:04] - The Goal: Be Like Jesus
• [02:21] - God's Promise to Do the Work
• [03:49] - Grace and Justification
• [05:14] - Living Without Grumbling
• [06:09] - The New Agreement in Luke 5
• [07:55] - Parable of New Wine and Wineskins
• [09:12] - The Life of Jesus
• [11:26] - The Empty Cup and the Life of Jesus
• [13:10] - Water into Wine: A Lesson in Obedience
• [15:23] - Filling the Waterpots with Water
• [17:57] - The Miracle of Transformation
• [20:41] - The Deception of Filled Waterpots
• [23:02] - Partaking in the Divine Nature
• [25:00] - The Pearl of Great Price
• [27:24] - The Love of the Father
• [29:47] - The Value of the New Covenant
• [32:17] - New Wine in New Wineskins
• [35:20] - The Importance of the Church
• [38:03] - Our Responsibility to the Church
• [41:13] - The Dangers of Old Covenant Practices
• [44:10] - The Danger of Complacency
• [46:08] - The Role of Shepherds and Sheep
• [48:17] - The Assurance of God's Love
• [50:11] - Growing Strong in Faith

1. Hebrews 8:10 - "This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
2. Luke 5:36-39 - The Parable of New Wine in New Wineskins.
3. John 2:1-11 - The Miracle of Turning Water into Wine.

1. According to the sermon, what is the primary goal of the New Covenant, and how does it differ from the Old Covenant? [02:21]
2. In the parable from Luke 5, what do the new wine and new wineskins represent in the context of the New Covenant? [08:10]
3. How does the story of Jesus turning water into wine illustrate our role in the New Covenant? [13:28]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the significance of the church as the new wineskin? [37:31]

1. How does the concept of God writing His laws on our hearts and minds change the way we approach obedience and faith? [02:21]
2. In what ways does the life of Jesus as the new wine challenge our understanding of righteousness and sinlessness? [10:44]
3. What does the act of filling the waterpots with water symbolize in our spiritual journey, and why is it important to trust God for the transformation? [17:31]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the church in experiencing the fullness of God's love and growing in the life of Jesus? [37:31]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was writing His laws on your heart. How did it change your actions or decisions? [02:21]
2. The sermon emphasizes active participation in the New Covenant. What is one area of your life where you can be more actively involved in living out your faith? [03:24]
3. Consider the metaphor of new wine in new wineskins. How can you ensure that your life and your church community are open to the transformative work of Jesus? [08:10]
4. The story of turning water into wine highlights the importance of obedience. What is one area where you need to trust God more for transformation, even if you don't see immediate results? [17:31]
5. How can you contribute to your church being a supportive community that encourages growth in the life of Jesus? What practical steps can you take this week? [37:31]
6. The sermon calls us to live radically by the principles of the New Covenant. What is one radical change you feel called to make in your life to align more closely with these principles? [00:45]
7. Reflect on the idea of the church as a new wineskin. How can you help ensure that your church remains a place where the New Covenant is lived out authentically? [37:31]