David [00:00:23]:
A few weeks ago, we began a series discussing the fact that we are, are blessed. We have been blessed. We are now blessed and we ever will be blessed. Our Father God, is a God of blessing. And his blessing flows from his love for us, his children. You don’t have to earn it or deserve it. You simply have to believe and receive it. Say this with me.
David [00:00:56]:
I am blessed. Yes, you are. You are blessed. We have looked at the blessing that God declared over Adam and Eve, over Noah and his family, and over Abraham and all of his descendants. We have seen his blessing is forever and for all time. We also saw, as a part of blessing, God instituted covenant. And Covenant was a way of creating a union or connection between God and man. In fact, covenant means an alliance of friendship, a divine ordinance with signs and pledges, an alliance, a union or connection between God and Mandev.
David [00:01:47]:
And that word ordinance means something appointed, a custom, a statute. God put all this together so he could have a relationship between us. A couple of weeks ago, we identified the key covenants that God has initiated. There’s many covenants throughout scripture, but there are several key covenants that we looked at. The first was the covenant with Noah. Now, there was a covenant with Adam. We didn’t get into that, but it has to do. When God came and spoke to the, to the devil and told him, there’s coming one, a seed of woman who will bruise your head, he will overcome you, defeat you, you will bruise his heel, but he will bruise your head and overcome you and defeat you.
David [00:02:40]:
And so he was speaking of and declaring right then the new covenant, Jesus Christ, who came in our behalf and which we are going to look at today. However, we didn’t talk about that because we’re going to talk about the new covenant today. But the next covenant, the first time the word covenant was used in scripture was with Noah. And so the covenant with Noah after the flood, then came the covenant with Abraham and then the new covenant. So last week we looked at the blessing of the abrahamic covenant, and today we’re looking at the new covenant. And one of the things we saw last week is the blessing of Abraham is still with us today. And we’re going to talk about that a little bit more as we look into the new Covenant. So the new covenant as described in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, is central to our faith and worship today.
David [00:03:44]:
It represents a new relationship through God and humanity, mediated through Christ Jesus, our ad cabinethe. Excuse me, Toby. The blessing of the new covenant. Well, let me say that again. Let’s add it right here, Toby. Instead of where I paused. The blessings of the new covenant are numerous and profound. Reflecting a shift from the old covenant, which was based on the law given to Moses.
David [00:04:23]:
It was switched to a new relationship rooted in grace, faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. Now, today, what I’d like us to do is to look at five key blessings associated with the new covenant. Here we go. Number one, the first blessing associated with the new covenant is a personal relationship with God. As I’ve stated from the beginning of this series on blessing, everything God has done from the beginning of time has been instituted so we could be in relationship with him. Unlike the old covenant where access to God was mediated through priests, the new covenant allows for a direct personal relationship with Goddesse through Jesus Christ. As believers, we can approach God knowing we are his children. Romans 815 16 in the new King James Version says this, for you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba Father, the spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
David [00:05:53]:
Then in romans 815 and 16 again, and this is from the amplified. I want to read it from the amplified. I love this. It says, for you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear of God’s judgment, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons, the spirit producing sonship by which we joyfully cry, Abba Father, the spirit himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit, assuring us that we believers are children of God. Amen. We are children of God. You are a child of God. Think about that.
David [00:06:40]:
You are a child of the most high God. As his children we have this privilege just right. We can approach God with confidence and boldness without fear, knowing he accepts us. In fact, the word tells us that Hebrews 416, new King James Version says this. Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Wow. Boldly before the throne of grace. Let’s read it from the amplified.
David [00:07:20]:
This is Hebrews 416 in the amplified. Therefore, let us with privilege approach the throne of grace. That is, the throne of God’s gracious favorite, with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy for our failures and find his amazing grace to help in time of need. An appropriate blessing coming just at the right moment. As his children, this is our privilege, this is our right to come before our father God, where we find his grace, his favor and his blessing. And if you got children in your house today, you know they come and do that with you all the time. They come and do that with you all the time. So our relationship with God, I believe, is that number one blessing of the new covenant.
David [00:08:23]:
It’s a huge blessing. I have an intimate relationship with God, my father. Number two, a blessing of the new covenant, forgiveness of sins. We can be sure of our relationship with our Father God because one of the most significant blessings of the new covenant is the complete forgiveness of sin. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, believers are cleansed from their sins and their transgressions are remembered no more. I don’t care what you’ve done, how you’ve sinned, how you’ve lived, when you repent, when you receive Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, all that slate is wiped clean. God remembers those sins no more. And whatever sin you might commit between now and the time we step into eternity, go into heaven, Jesus has already paid the price for that.
David [00:09:30]:
And when you ask forgiveness for that, it’s wiped clean. God remembers it no more. Now the enemy will try to bring it back to your remembrance and, and try to put you into shame and blame. But God says, no, I’ve wiped that clean. I love you. You’re my son. I’ve forgiven you. Hebrews 812 and 13 in the new King James version says this, for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their lawless deeds.
David [00:10:03]:
I will remember no more. In that he says a new covenant. He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. It says Hebrews 812 and 13. It says it like this in the amplified. It gives us a little more insight here. For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more.
David [00:10:35]:
When God speaks of a new covenant or agreement, he makes the first one obsolete and out of use. And what is obsolete, out of use and annulled because of age is ripe for disappearance and to be dispensed with all together. We are living in and walking in the new covenant. The old has vanished away and the new is here to stay. Praise God. We don’t have to go back and revisit what will was. We live in what is now with our God and our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah.
David [00:11:18]:
Hebrews 10 16 18 in the new King James version says this this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws in their hearts and in their minds. I will write them. Then he adds, their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Praise God, he’s forgiven us, so there’s no longer an offering for sin. Hebrews 10 16 18 let’s read it in the amplified this is the agreement, the testament covenant that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord, I will imprint my laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds and on their innermost thoughts and understanding. He then goes on to say, and their sins and their law breaking I will remember no more. Now, where there is absolute remission, forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty of these sins and lawbreaking, there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin.
David [00:12:38]:
Think about that. Unlike the old covenant, there is no need for an ongoing offering for sin. They had to keep coming back and offering sacrifice after sacrifice to cover their sins. But by the blood of Jesus we have been redeemed, cleansed, made free for all time. As Jesus said on the cross, it is finished. It is done. Hallelujah. Praise God.
David [00:13:10]:
We are redeemed. Ha ha. Our sins have been forgiven. Glory to God. Glory to God. We walk and stand in righteousness today with our Lord Jesus Christ, with our Father God, the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah. We are one with him.
David [00:13:30]:
Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus. You have forgiven our sins. The third blessing we want to look at today of the new covenant is reconciliation with God. We can be sure of our relationship with God. Because of the blessing of reconciliation, the new covenant has been restored. Let me say that again. The new covenant has restored the broken relationship between humanity and God, which has been his heart all along.
David [00:14:06]:
Through Jesus sacrifice, believers are reconciled to God. No longer are we alienated by sin, but brought into a loving relationship with our creator, our Father God. Second Corinthians 518 19 and this is from the amplified version, but all things are from God, who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to himself, received us into favor, brought us into harmony with himself, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation, that by the word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with him. It was God, personally present in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with himself, not counting up and holding against men their trespasses, but canceling them and committing to us the message of reconciliation, of the restoration of favor. The blessing of reconciliation is the restoration to favor through Jesus Christ. We have been received into favor. We have been brought into harmony with the Lord. I said we are one with him, right? We’re in harmony, we’re in sync, we’re in step with him.
David [00:15:44]:
This blessing of reconciliation empowers us to bring others into harmony with him. Simply by our word and our deed, by what we say and do, we can be an example and invite others into relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. And so God has committed to us a message of reconciliation. The good news, the message of restoration to favor. How cool would it be just to share with people all God has done for you, what he’s doing for you, how much he loves you and loves them. And they could walk in favor all the days of their life just by accepting Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. What a blessing that is to walk in favorite we have the favor of the most high God. One scripture says it surrounds us as with a shield.
David [00:16:45]:
Hallelujah. Everywhere I go I walk in favor. Everything I do, I walk in God’s favor. With everyone I engage with, I walk in favor. Hallelujah. Glory to God. I have been reconciled and restored to favor and harmony with my Lord, my savior, my father, God, the Holy Spirit. I am a part of the family of God.
David [00:17:20]:
The fourth blessing of the new covenant is what we call spiritual adoption. Spiritual adoption. Because of the blessing of the new covenant, not only are we in relationship with God, we are adopted into God’s family. It’s more than just a friendship. We are adopted into God’s family. We are co heirs with Christ, sharing in the inheritance of God’s kingdom and enjoying the privileges and responsibilities of being God’s children. We are hearing the earth as God’s children, a part of the royal family, ruling and reigning in the earth as kings and priests. Wow.
David [00:18:12]:
Praise God representing the kingdom of God here. That is our privilege, that is our honor, that is our blessing. Ephesians one five in the amplified says this for he foreordained us, destined us, planned in love for us to be adopted, revealed as his own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of his will, because it pleased him and was his kind intent. And we talked about this before and we mentioned it last week when it says he foreordained us, destined us, planned and loved for us. Before time began, he had already planned for this. He had already said, they’re my children. I love them. I want to be their father.
David [00:19:06]:
Hallelujah. That was his kind intent. Romans 814 17 in the amplified for all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. For the spirit which you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, the spirit producing sonship and the bliss of what we cry. Abba Father. Wow. Abba Father. The spirit himself thus testifies, together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God.
David [00:19:56]:
And if we are his children, then we are his heirs, also heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing his inheritance with him. Ha ha. Hallelujah. You are an heir of God. You’re a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Think about that. Think about that. All that God has, all that God is, all that will ever be is a part of your inheritance.
David [00:20:30]:
But greater than that, a part of your inheritance is you are part of the family of God. You’re a part of the royal family. You will rule and reign throughout all eternity. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. God has so much in store for you. We shared this verse last week in our message, but I wanted to share it again today.
David [00:20:57]:
This is Galatians 313 and 14. And this is from the new king James version. It says this, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith, that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith. And God has given us as a part of this, the blessing of Abraham. So that abrahamic covenant that we looked at last week and talked about, all of that is still ours today. Galatians 329 goes on to say, and if you belong to Christ are in him, who is Abraham’s seed, then you are Abraham’s offspring and spiritual heirs according to the promise. That’s Galatians 329.
David [00:22:03]:
He amplified. You are spiritual heirs according to the promise, Abraham’s seed, that’s who you are. As God’s children, all the blessings of Abraham are ours today. We are blessed beyond measure. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
David [00:22:26]:
We’ve been adopted into the family of God and we are heirs and join heirs of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. Blessed be the name of the Lord. The fifth blessing of the new covenant is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ believers receive the blessing of eternal life. This promise is not only about life after death, but also a quality of life that begins in the here and now, right now. And it’s characterized by peace and joy and fellowship with God, with God’s continual blessing, his support, his supply. John 316 in the amplified says this for God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that he even gave up his only begotten, unique son. So that whoever believes in, trusts, in, clings to, relies on him, shall note, perish, come to destruction or be lost, but have eternal everlasting life.
David [00:23:45]:
We have as believers eternal everlasting life. And we have it right now, today, as believers in Christ Jesus. It’s not something we’re going to walk in when we get to heaven. We’re already walking in our eternal life. Now we will get a glorified body and so we’ll get that, that supernatural body when we step into heaven. But we’re already walking in our eternal life first. John 511 and twelve in the amplified says this and this is that testimony, that evidence. God gave us eternal life and this life is in his son.
David [00:24:33]:
He who possesses the son has that life. There it is. John’s confirming what I just said. He who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. They don’t have eternal life if they do not possess a son or have not come into relationship with Jesus Christ. And all of this confirms what Jesus said in John chapter ten. John 1010 in the amplified. You’ve heard me quote this before.
David [00:25:03]:
The thief comes only in order to steal, to kill and destroy. That’s all the devil’s about. I don’t care what he tells you or tries to convince you of. All he’s about is stealing from you, killing things from you or around you, killing you and destroy. Jesus said this, I came, that they may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance to the full till it overflows. That blessing of relationship with God. Life with God. Jesus is saying, our father God wants us to have it and abundance, to enjoy it to the full till it overflows.
David [00:25:54]:
We are blessed beyond measure. It is an overflowing blessing that our father God has given us through the sacrifice of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We have it now. And Jesus said he came that we could have it in abundance to the full till it overflows. God is always more than enough. These five blessings that I’ve been talking about today are just the beginning of all God has provided for us. I could go on and on and on the list could go on and on and on. They highlight the transformative power of the new covenant and the profound grace and favor offered through Jesus Christ.
David [00:26:48]:
These promises, these blessings, they form the foundation of christian faith and life, offering all of us assurance, hope, and a deep, abiding relationship with our father God. As a child of God, you are truly blessed, infinitely beyond, beyond. That’s what I like to say, beyond, beyond. Because God goes on and on and on and on. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad God has made a way for you. Child of God, let me say this again. You are blessed. Amen.
David [00:27:32]:
Let’s bow our head in prayer. Father God, we thank you for all that you’ve done through the new covenant. We thank you for all the blessings of the new covenant. Jesus, we thank you for all that you sacrificed in our behalf, and we praise you for it. And we declare that we love you. We know you love us and we love you. And we want to be a part of seeing heaven come here on earth. So, Father God, we commit today to share the good news with others so that they may know you.
David [00:28:05]:
And we thank you for that privilege and blessing we have of walking together with you, seeing your kingdom come here in the earth. Now, let me say this. If you haven’t received Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, but you’re sitting there listening, going, hey, I want to be a part of this. I want you to say this prayer with me right now. Just bow your head, close your eyes, bow your head and say this. Lord Jesus, I repent of all my sins and I acknowledge that you died for me. You suffered on the cross for me. You went through the pains of death and hell, and you were resurrected and you lived.
David [00:28:50]:
Today I ask you to cleanse me and to come into my heart. You are my lord and my savior, and I thank you for redeeming me from sin and setting me free to live the life you have come to give me. And I praise you for it. In Jesus name. Amen. Hallelujah. If you just said that prayer with your heart, all your heart, you are now a part of the family of God. You’re a part of everything I’ve talked about today and over the last few weeks.
David [00:29:30]:
We want to know that. I ask you to email us and let us know that you’ve received Jesus into your heart. What a blessing that is. What a blessing that is to know that God can make a huge difference in your life, too. Pastor Kanye is coming with a closing thought and a word of prayer. Have a blessed week and be all that God has created you to be.
