Walking in Covenant: Embracing God's Unconditional Love
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delve into the book of Jeremiah, focusing on the concept of "Walking in Covenant." This sermon marks the beginning of a dual sermon series: "Walking in Covenant" on the first Sundays and "How to Keep My Faith When Life Feels So Unfair" starting from the third Sunday of June. We explore the significance of covenant relationships, both with God and with each other, as a means to renew our hearts, minds, souls, and strength in 2024.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of a new covenant that God will establish with the house of Israel and Judah, a covenant not based on the old laws but written in their hearts and minds. This new covenant signifies God's unconditional love and forgiveness, offering us benefits we do not deserve and cannot earn. The imagery of cutting an animal in half to seal a covenant in the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus' sacrifice, where His blood covers us, making us part of this divine agreement.
The sermon also draws parallels between life and performing arts, emphasizing the importance of starting and finishing strong. Just as a good start and a strong finish in a performance leave a lasting impression, our spiritual journey requires a strong beginning and end, even if we stumble along the way. God’s covenant ensures that no matter how we start, we can finish strong through His grace.
We are reminded that our relationship with God is both private and public. Baptism and communion are public confessions of our faith, symbolizing our commitment to walk in covenant with God and each other. This communal aspect is crucial, as it reflects the triune nature of God and our inherent need for relationships.
Finally, the sermon underscores the joy and freedom found in God's forgiveness. Just as a poor grade can be replaced on a transcript, our sins are blotted out by Jesus' sacrifice. This transformative power of God's covenant allows us to walk in newness of life, finishing our spiritual race with joy and peace.
### Key Takeaways
1. The New Covenant: God promises a new covenant written in our hearts and minds, signifying His unconditional love and forgiveness. This covenant is not based on our actions but on God's grace, offering us benefits we do not deserve and cannot earn. [03:41]
2. Starting and Finishing Strong: Just as in performing arts, a strong start and finish are crucial in our spiritual journey. Even if we stumble along the way, God's covenant ensures that we can finish strong through His grace and renewal. [07:19]
3. Public and Private Faith: Our relationship with God is both private and public. Baptism and communion are public confessions of our faith, symbolizing our commitment to walk in covenant with God and each other. This communal aspect reflects the triune nature of God and our need for relationships. [13:58]
4. Transformative Power of Forgiveness: God's forgiveness is like replacing a poor grade on a transcript. Our sins are blotted out by Jesus' sacrifice, allowing us to walk in newness of life. This transformative power of God's covenant brings joy and freedom. [30:13]
5. Joy in Covenant: Entering into a covenant with God and each other should be done joyfully and with intentionality. This joy stems from the understanding that God has forgiven our iniquities and remembers our sins no more, allowing us to live a life of peace and freedom. [29:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Introduction to Dual Sermon Series
[01:43] - Opening Prayer
[02:43] - Reading from Jeremiah 31:31-34
[04:19] - Personal Story: Soul Step and Performing Arts
[07:19] - Importance of Starting and Finishing Strong
[09:05] - Renewal Through Covenant
[10:29] - Definition and Significance of Covenant
[11:37] - Old Testament Covenant Practices
[12:24] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Covenant
[13:10] - Covenant and Community
[13:58] - Relationship with God and Each Other
[15:05] - Church Covenant and Abundant Life
[15:59] - God as the Initiator of Covenant
[16:34] - God's Condescension and Relationship with Us
[17:19] - God's Knowledge of Us and His Love
[18:09] - God's Initiative in Our Relationship
[19:14] - God Lifts Us Up
[20:33] - Jesus' Fulfillment of the Covenant
[21:42] - Historical Christology Debate
[22:56] - Divine Mathematics
[24:09] - Jesus in Scripture
[25:18] - Public and Private Relationship with God
[26:35] - Importance of Public Confession
[28:14] - Baptism and Communion as Public Confessions
[29:10] - Joy in Covenant
[30:13] - Transformative Power of Forgiveness
[31:56] - Personal Testimony: God's Renewal
[32:44] - Joy in God's Forgiveness
[35:50] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
### Observation Questions
1. What is the new covenant that God promises in Jeremiah 31:31-34?
2. How does the imagery of cutting an animal in half to seal a covenant in the Old Testament relate to Jesus' sacrifice? [12:24]
3. What are the public confessions of faith mentioned in the sermon, and what do they symbolize? [28:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformative power of God's forgiveness? [30:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for the new covenant to be written in our hearts and minds, and how does this differ from the old covenant? [03:41]
2. How can the concept of starting and finishing strong in performing arts be applied to our spiritual journey? [07:19]
3. Why is it important for our relationship with God to be both private and public, according to the sermon? [25:18]
4. How does the analogy of replacing a poor grade on a transcript help us understand God's forgiveness? [30:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced a strong start or finish? How can you ensure a strong finish through God's grace? [07:19]
2. In what ways can you make your faith more public, such as through baptism or communion, and why is this important? [28:14]
3. Think about a time when you felt the transformative power of God's forgiveness. How did it change your life, and how can you share this experience with others? [30:13]
4. How can you cultivate a joyful and intentional approach to your covenant relationship with God and others? [29:10]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need renewal (heart, mind, soul, or strength). What steps can you take to walk in covenant with God for this renewal? [09:05]
6. How can you better balance your private and public displays of faith in your daily life? [25:18]
7. Reflect on a past sin or mistake that you wish could be blotted out. How does understanding God's forgiveness help you move forward with joy and peace? [30:13]
Devotional
Day 1: The New Covenant Written in Our Hearts
God promises a new covenant written in our hearts and minds, signifying His unconditional love and forgiveness. This covenant is not based on our actions but on God's grace, offering us benefits we do not deserve and cannot earn. The new covenant, as described in Jeremiah 31:31-34, is a transformative promise from God to His people. Unlike the old covenant, which was based on adherence to the law, the new covenant is internalized, written on our hearts and minds. This signifies a deep, personal relationship with God, where His laws and love are ingrained within us. It is a covenant of grace, where God’s unconditional love and forgiveness are extended to us, not because of our deeds, but because of His mercy.
This new covenant is a reflection of God’s desire to be intimately connected with us. It is a promise that He will be our God, and we will be His people. This relationship is not transactional but relational, rooted in love and grace. The imagery of cutting an animal in half to seal a covenant in the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus' sacrifice, where His blood covers us, making us part of this divine agreement. Through Jesus, we are invited into this new covenant, where our sins are forgiven, and we are given a new heart and spirit to follow Him. [03:41]
Jeremiah 31:33-34 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Reflection: How can you embrace the new covenant in your daily life, allowing God's laws and love to be written on your heart and mind?
Day 2: Starting and Finishing Strong
Just as in performing arts, a strong start and finish are crucial in our spiritual journey. Even if we stumble along the way, God's covenant ensures that we can finish strong through His grace and renewal. Our spiritual journey is much like a performance where the beginning and the end leave a lasting impression. While the middle may have its challenges and stumbles, what matters is how we start and finish. God’s covenant with us provides the assurance that no matter how we begin, we can finish strong through His grace.
The imagery of a performance is apt; it reminds us that our spiritual journey is not about perfection but about perseverance and reliance on God’s grace. Even when we falter, God’s covenant promises renewal and strength. His grace is sufficient to carry us through to the end, ensuring that we finish our race with joy and peace. This perspective encourages us to focus on the bigger picture, trusting in God’s promise to see us through to a strong finish. [07:19]
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual journey do you need to rely more on God’s grace to finish strong?
Day 3: Public and Private Faith
Our relationship with God is both private and public. Baptism and communion are public confessions of our faith, symbolizing our commitment to walk in covenant with God and each other. This communal aspect reflects the triune nature of God and our need for relationships. Our faith journey is not meant to be lived in isolation. While our relationship with God is deeply personal, it also has a public dimension. Baptism and communion are outward expressions of our inward faith, symbolizing our commitment to walk in covenant with God and with each other.
These public confessions are vital as they reflect the communal nature of our faith. Just as God exists in a triune relationship, we are created for relationships. Our public declarations of faith through baptism and communion serve as reminders of our commitment to God and to the community of believers. They are acts of obedience and testimony, proclaiming our faith to the world and encouraging others in their spiritual journey. [13:58]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you publicly express your faith in your daily life, and how does this impact your relationship with God and others?
Day 4: Transformative Power of Forgiveness
God's forgiveness is like replacing a poor grade on a transcript. Our sins are blotted out by Jesus' sacrifice, allowing us to walk in newness of life. This transformative power of God's covenant brings joy and freedom. Forgiveness is a powerful aspect of God’s covenant with us. Just as a poor grade can be replaced on a transcript, our sins are blotted out by Jesus’ sacrifice. This act of forgiveness is not just a one-time event but a continual process that allows us to walk in newness of life.
God’s forgiveness is transformative. It changes our status from condemned to redeemed, from guilty to forgiven. This transformation brings joy and freedom, freeing us from the burden of sin and guilt. It allows us to live a life of peace, knowing that our sins are forgiven and remembered no more. This aspect of God’s covenant is a source of immense joy and gratitude, as it assures us of His unconditional love and grace. [30:13]
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you need to experience God’s forgiveness. How can you embrace His transformative power today?
Day 5: Joy in Covenant
Entering into a covenant with God and each other should be done joyfully and with intentionality. This joy stems from the understanding that God has forgiven our iniquities and remembers our sins no more, allowing us to live a life of peace and freedom. The covenant relationship with God is not a burden but a source of joy. Understanding that God has forgiven our iniquities and remembers our sins no more allows us to live a life of peace and freedom. This joy is a natural response to the grace and love we receive from God.
Entering into a covenant with God and each other should be done with intentionality and joy. It is a commitment that brings immense blessings and transforms our lives. The joy of the covenant is rooted in the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, which frees us from the past and empowers us to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. This joy is a testament to the goodness of God and His desire for us to live abundantly. [29:10]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate joy in your covenant relationship with God and others today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "In most things in life, if you begin incorrectly or have a misstep, it will be difficult to regain the ground that you have lost. As a runner or a swimmer, if you don't have a good start, it's almost impossible to win the race. If you don't begin your scholastic career strong, you spend a lot of effort trying to raise that GPA. If you leave a bad first impression with somebody, it's very hard to lead them with a good impression." [07:19] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are focused this year on renewal, a renewed heart, a renewed mind, a renewed soul, and renewed strength. And the way we get there, as Jeremiah is teaching us, is by walking in covenant with God and with one another." [09:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God loves me so much that he has given me access to benefits that I do not deserve. And I cannot earn. It is as if when Jesus was on the cross that his blood was a last will and testament. And it was saying, I want you to prosper. I want you to be whole. I want you to be healed. I want your soul saved. I want you to inherit the kingdom of God. I want you to exist in eternity forever." [10:29] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We live in a world, I'm almost done, where we have bought into the notion that our walks with God are just a private, and me thing. As long as I got king teeth, don't need nobody else. When even Jesus himself had to have another man carry his cross." [28:14] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Baptism is a public confession. This communion table is a public confession. The Lord's table. And what it says is that I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do now in the presence of God in the assembly of those who are here, right, most joyfully enter into covenant. With one another as one body in Christ." [28:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We are now entering into the middle of this year, getting ready to cross over to the second half. And some of us had some good starts. Some of us came out of the gate on fire for Jesus. Some of us came out of the gate and we were running for the Lord as hard as we could. But if we're honest, some of us came out stumbling. Some of us didn't leave the gate when the fire went off. The starter said, go. And what I came by to let you know is that the Lord, because of covenant relationship, has made it possible that no matter how you start it, he can transform how you end." [09:05] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Think about this. We do not initiate it. God does. Jesus put it this way. You didn't choose me. I chose you. Which is why a covenant is a reminder, just as God was telling them, I make a new covenant with you. I am the one making this. I am the initiator. I am the one leading this. I am the one in charge of this. I am the one taking the initiative. To make this happen." [16:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He knows my stuff. He knows my issues. He knows my past. He knows my proclivities. He knows what I have done. He knows the condition of my heart. He knows my thought life. And he still wants to be in relation. Let me make it plain. Typically, when you want somebody to like you, you put forth your best effort. You put on your nicest clothes. You put on good perfume. You shave really well. You get your hair done, your nails done. You do everything you can to make a first impression. But the problem with God is he knew me before I knew enough to try and impress him. And he still drew me into his presence." [17:19] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I remember you've heard me tell the story that my freshman year in A&T I was not the best student. I did not do well. I did poorly. Here's what I found out, though, in my pull-up moment that God brought me through. That you can take the class again and fill out a little piece of paper and your new grade will replace your old grade. Watch this. Watch this. Here's what I love about it even more. The old grade will still look the same. It will appear on the transcript but no longer adds weight to the GPA." [30:13] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I used to be messed up. But God brought me out. I used to be addicted. But God delivered me. I used to be sick. But God healed me. I used to have lost my mind. But God renewed my mind. Jesus has replaced it. I no longer have an impact on my GPA. When God looks at my transcript, all he sees is the blood. But I'm finishing with joy. I started in anger. But I'm finishing with peace. I started in bondage. But I'm finishing free." [31:56] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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