Understanding the Power of God's Blood Covenant
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound significance of God's blood covenant and its foundational role in our faith. We began by acknowledging that God is relaying the foundations of our lives, whether we are new believers or seasoned Christians who may have lost some of our spiritual fervor. This relaying of foundations is crucial for us to stand firm in our faith and shout His victory.
We delved into the importance of communion, not just as a ritual but as a powerful covenant meal that connects us to the finished work of Jesus Christ. Communion is a profound act of faith that allows us to access the blessings and promises of God. We discussed how the early church in Corinth misunderstood and misused communion, leading to dire consequences like sickness and even death. This underscores the importance of discerning the body and blood of Christ correctly.
The sermon then transitioned into a detailed explanation of the concept of covenant, particularly focusing on the blood covenant. We examined the three main covenants in the Bible: the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants. The Abrahamic covenant was based on grace and was a gift from God to Abraham and his descendants. The Mosaic covenant, on the other hand, was a performance-based covenant given to Israel, which they struggled to keep. Finally, the New Covenant, established by Jesus Christ, is a covenant of grace and is based solely on His perfect obedience and sacrifice.
We emphasized that the New Covenant is not just for Israel but also for Gentiles, as we have been grafted into the root of Israel. This covenant is unshakable and immovable, based on the blood of Jesus Christ. It is a covenant of exchange, where we give our lives to God, and He gives us His life, blessings, and promises.
Understanding this covenant is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. It frees us from the burden of performance and allows us to live in the fullness of God's grace. The blood covenant is the highest form of love and commitment, and it is through this covenant that we experience the fullness of God's love and blessings.
### Key Takeaways
1. Relaying Foundations: God is in the process of relaying the foundations of our faith, whether we are new believers or seasoned Christians. This foundational work is essential for us to stand firm and shout His victory. Leaning into the Holy Spirit during this process will enable us to grow stronger in our faith. [01:10:16]
2. The Power of Communion: Communion is not just a ritual but a powerful covenant meal that connects us to the finished work of Jesus Christ. When taken with the right understanding, it brings healing, protection, and provision into our lives. Misunderstanding or misusing it, as the Corinthians did, can lead to dire consequences. [01:12:32]
3. Understanding Covenant: The concept of covenant, particularly the blood covenant, is foundational to our relationship with God. The New Covenant, established by Jesus, is based on grace and His perfect obedience. This covenant is unshakable and immovable, providing us with an eternal relationship with God. [01:16:58]
4. The Exchange in Covenant: The New Covenant is a covenant of exchange. We give our lives to God, and He gives us His life, blessings, and promises. This exchange is beautifully illustrated in marriage, where both partners give themselves fully to each other. Similarly, in our covenant with God, we receive all that He has through Jesus Christ. [01:18:58]
5. Living in the New Covenant: Understanding and living in the New Covenant frees us from the burden of performance. It allows us to live in the fullness of God's grace, knowing that our relationship with Him is based on Jesus' perfect obedience and sacrifice. This understanding empowers us to live victorious, sun-focused lives, rather than being sin-focused. [01:32:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:10:16] - Relaying Foundations
[01:10:43] - Leaning into the Holy Spirit
[01:11:05] - Worship and Announcements
[01:12:09] - Life's Challenges and People
[01:12:32] - The Importance of Communion
[01:13:29] - Misuse of Communion in Corinth
[01:14:34] - The Great Communion Awakening
[01:15:55] - Understanding Covenant
[01:16:58] - Covenant of Exchange
[01:18:58] - Marriage as a Blood Covenant
[01:20:16] - Blood Economy of God
[01:23:17] - Blood Covenant in History
[01:24:07] - Marriage and Blood Covenant
[01:25:04] - The Abrahamic Covenant
[01:27:09] - The Mosaic Covenant
[01:29:18] - The New Covenant
[01:31:12] - Why We Needed a New Covenant
[01:32:54] - Living in the New Covenant
[01:34:41] - The Power of Communion
[01:35:18] - Yom Kippur and Jesus
[01:36:25] - The Problem with the Old Covenant
[01:39:26] - Paul's Revelation on Communion
[01:41:14] - Proclaiming the Lord's Death
[01:42:19] - Personal Testimony
[01:44:12] - The Highest Form of Love
[01:45:22] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:47:23] - Communion Instructions
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 61:1-3 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
2. Hebrews 8:7-12 - "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: 'The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 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. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'"
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 - "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key elements of the New Covenant as described in Hebrews 8:7-12?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-30, what are the consequences of taking communion in an unworthy manner? [01:13:58]
3. How does Isaiah 61:1-3 describe the exchange that takes place in the covenant relationship with God?
4. What was the misunderstanding of communion in the Corinthian church, and what were the consequences? [01:13:29]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the New Covenant described in Hebrews 8:7-12 differ from the Mosaic Covenant? What implications does this have for our relationship with God? [01:29:18]
2. In what ways does the act of communion connect us to the finished work of Jesus Christ, as explained in 1 Corinthians 11:23-30? [01:12:32]
3. How does understanding the concept of covenant, particularly the blood covenant, change our perspective on our relationship with God? [01:16:58]
4. What does the exchange described in Isaiah 61:1-3 reveal about God's intentions for our lives under the New Covenant?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual foundation. Are there areas where you feel God is relaying or rebuilding your foundation? How can you lean into the Holy Spirit during this process? [01:10:16]
2. How do you approach communion? Do you see it as a ritual or as a powerful covenant meal? What steps can you take to ensure you are discerning the body and blood of Christ correctly? [01:13:29]
3. The New Covenant frees us from the burden of performance. Are there areas in your life where you still feel burdened by performance? How can you embrace the fullness of God's grace in these areas? [01:32:54]
4. In what ways can you live out the exchange described in Isaiah 61:1-3 in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to bring beauty, joy, and praise into your circumstances?
5. How can you practically live a sun-focused life rather than a sin-focused life? Identify one specific change you can make this week to shift your focus more towards Jesus. [01:36:25]
6. Think about your understanding of the blood covenant. How does this understanding impact your view of God's love and commitment to you? How can you deepen this understanding in your daily walk with God? [01:44:12]
7. Reflect on the concept of covenant as the highest form of love and commitment. How can you demonstrate this level of commitment in your relationships with others, especially in your marriage or close friendships? [01:18:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Relaying the Foundations of Faith
Description: God is actively involved in relaying the foundations of our faith, whether we are new believers or seasoned Christians who may have lost some of our spiritual fervor. This foundational work is essential for us to stand firm and shout His victory. Leaning into the Holy Spirit during this process will enable us to grow stronger in our faith. This relaying of foundations is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires our cooperation and openness to God's transformative work in our lives. [01:10:16]
Isaiah 28:16 (ESV): "Therefore thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'"
Reflection: What areas of your faith do you feel need a stronger foundation? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you rebuild and strengthen these areas today?
Day 2: The Power of Communion
Description: Communion is not just a ritual but a powerful covenant meal that connects us to the finished work of Jesus Christ. When taken with the right understanding, it brings healing, protection, and provision into our lives. Misunderstanding or misusing it, as the Corinthians did, can lead to dire consequences. This underscores the importance of discerning the body and blood of Christ correctly. By approaching communion with reverence and understanding, we can fully access the blessings and promises that God has for us. [01:12:32]
1 Corinthians 11:29-30 (ESV): "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died."
Reflection: How do you currently approach communion? What steps can you take to ensure you are discerning the body and blood of Christ correctly the next time you partake in this sacred meal?
Day 3: Understanding Covenant
Description: The concept of covenant, particularly the blood covenant, is foundational to our relationship with God. The New Covenant, established by Jesus, is based on grace and His perfect obedience. This covenant is unshakable and immovable, providing us with an eternal relationship with God. Understanding this covenant helps us to grasp the depth of God's commitment to us and the security we have in Him. It shifts our focus from our own performance to the finished work of Christ, allowing us to live in the freedom and assurance of His grace. [01:16:58]
Hebrews 8:6 (ESV): "But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises."
Reflection: How does understanding the New Covenant change your perspective on your relationship with God? What are some ways you can remind yourself daily of the grace and promises found in this covenant?
Day 4: The Exchange in Covenant
Description: The New Covenant is a covenant of exchange. We give our lives to God, and He gives us His life, blessings, and promises. This exchange is beautifully illustrated in marriage, where both partners give themselves fully to each other. Similarly, in our covenant with God, we receive all that He has through Jesus Christ. This understanding of covenant as an exchange helps us to see the depth of God's love and commitment to us, and it calls us to respond with our own wholehearted commitment to Him. [01:18:58]
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: What does it mean to you to give your life fully to God in this covenant of exchange? How can you practically live out this exchange in your daily life?
Day 5: Living in the New Covenant
Description: Understanding and living in the New Covenant frees us from the burden of performance. It allows us to live in the fullness of God's grace, knowing that our relationship with Him is based on Jesus' perfect obedience and sacrifice. This understanding empowers us to live victorious, sun-focused lives, rather than being sin-focused. By embracing the New Covenant, we can experience the fullness of God's love and blessings, and live out our faith with confidence and joy. [01:32:54]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: In what ways have you been living under the burden of performance? How can you shift your focus to living in the fullness of God's grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ today?
Quotes
1. "Life is not easy sometimes, isn't it? It's like, you know, all these things happen in your own lives. God is dealing with your own stuff, you know. And then he's dealing with stuff around us. And then people. It's always people. And if it's not your in-laws, it's outlaws. I mean, it's always people. It's always people who does something. But God is helping. That's how he shapes our lives, you know. People. People. People." [01:12:09] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want to talk today about something that's really dear to my heart. And if you really get it, it will change your life. It's laying foundations again of the gospel. It's all about the cross of Christ. It's all about the finished work of Jesus Christ. I want to talk about God's blood covenant." [01:12:32] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you do take it, and if you do it like the early church, and you know the revelation of this vision of communion, it will absolutely change your life. Because everything has to do with the finished work of Jesus Christ. It's all about his name and what he has done. Amen? So good." [01:14:34] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Communion is a covenant meal. It's not just a covenant. It's not just a meal. It's a covenant meal. It is by faith accessing what Jesus has finished already in the cross, on the cross, by faith. So we have to understand in covenant, it's the basis of communion, the basis of our life as Christians, the basis of what we have, the basis of what we do, the basis of our intimacy with Christ, our authority, our inheritance, everything. Everything is based on covenant. It's all about the covenant with God." [01:16:58] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Covenant is the mechanism, not only of our relationship with God, but it's also the mechanism of dominion with God and through his holy church. It is how God enforces his authority and his kingdom and his rule into the earth. It's how the kingdom. The kingdom comes. Amen. It's how heaven comes into our lives." [01:17:53] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Marriage is a blood covenant. Did you know this? Not just a covenant, it's a blood covenant. The intention of God is when a woman, a virgin, when a man comes on the wedding night, they consume the marriage, and then the hymen is penetrated. I'm so sorry, but that's the way it is. And actually, when it happens, marriage is cut. Isn't it how far we've gone away from marriage? It's unbelievable. But if you can think, it's from God. He created this." [01:24:07] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The new covenant is only based on his perfect obedience to the Father. He fulfilled all the law of righteousness so we don't have to. And he gives it as a gift of impartation to you and to me. Now again, you don't be dumb and you abuse it. That's just dumb. And you need to be disciplined, smack around the ear or whatever. That's just dumb. But it doesn't give away that it is the truth. That is what Jesus has done for us." [01:38:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "For I received from the Lord, this Paul, he received this revelation from the Lord, what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night that he was betrayed, he took the bread. And he gave thanks. Gave thanks. This is my body. This is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup." [01:39:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "It's a new way of life. It's a new covenant. Sins are covered for. I'm forgiven. I've taken away as far as the east is from the west. We are now sons and daughters of God. Now the Holy Spirit can come into your life. Why? Because you're holy. I'm not holy. Yes, you are holy. Yeah, we see all these things in my life. Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. He made you holy." [01:41:14] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "A blood covenant. A covenant is the highest form of love. No greater love than someone who lays their life, a friend who lays their life down for, you know. And this is the greatest form of love and commitment that God has given to us. A beautiful covenant between the Father and the Son on behalf of us, his children. Don't you feel this love? Such love." [01:44:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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