GOD'S NEW COVENANT
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
There are many different things found in the book of Hebrews then we can focus on that can change the way that we look at our churches today. One of the greatest changes in the history of mankind has been the change in the way God has approached his relationship with us. Guns started by coming to this and speaking directly to those whom he has chosen for leadership among men.
That approach has changed over time from one of God placing a covenant with the Jewish nation under the leadership of Moses to developing a completely new covenant with mankind through their relationship with Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 8:3-4 the writer tells us of the gifts and sacrifices given to God by those who were guilty of sin, and then how that relationship changed Jesus Christ to a self sacrifice by a guiltless Savior on the cross of Calvary.
I watched a television show just yesterday which was a documentation about seeking information about God and religion. Basically all it was was just information thrown out that gave fact about what was done in various forms of relationship with God. As I watched I noted that the Jews were basically focused on a physical building where one goes to worship. They had placed God in a temple and in the sanctuary where he could be controlled. I noted as well in the new covenant that God has made with us through Jesus Christ then God focuses on the reign of Jesus Christ in the hearts of believers. In other words God is directly involved in your life. Hebrews 8:8-12 "but God found fault with the people that said; the time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah' it will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers 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 make with the house 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 a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, know the Lord because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and I will remember their sins no more." It was by calling this covenant new that God has made the first covenant obsolete and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
I found this to be very interesting concerning today's church, and the ways that we approach God. If our hearts are not changed then following his rules, or his commandments will be unpleasant and difficult. We as men and women will tend to naturally rebel against being told how to live. It is the Holy Spirit however, who gives us new desires, helping us to want to obey God. Philippians 2: 12-13 tells us "therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence,-but how much more in my absence continued to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." When we approach obedience to God with a new heart we find that serving God is our greatest joy. Under God's new covenant, God's law is inside of us. It's no longer an external set of rules and principles. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of Christ words, it is he who activates our conscience and influences our motives and desires. It is God's Holy Spirit who makes us want to obey so doing God's will is something that we desire to do with all of our hearts and minds. There is so much to be said about the development of this attitude within our churches today. We who worship Christ must worship him in spirit and in truth, and we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices on a daily basis. This week we will be digging further into the book of Hebrews as we talk together about the differences in worshiping in an earthly tabernacle and in worshiping through the power of God's Holy Spirit in a forgiven heart. May you richly bless God through your life in him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
There are many different things found in the book of Hebrews then we can focus on that can change the way that we look at our churches today. One of the greatest changes in the history of mankind has been the change in the way God has approached his relationship with us. Guns started by coming to this and speaking directly to those whom he has chosen for leadership among men.
That approach has changed over time from one of God placing a covenant with the Jewish nation under the leadership of Moses to developing a completely new covenant with mankind through their relationship with Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 8:3-4 the writer tells us of the gifts and sacrifices given to God by those who were guilty of sin, and then how that relationship changed Jesus Christ to a self sacrifice by a guiltless Savior on the cross of Calvary.
I watched a television show just yesterday which was a documentation about seeking information about God and religion. Basically all it was was just information thrown out that gave fact about what was done in various forms of relationship with God. As I watched I noted that the Jews were basically focused on a physical building where one goes to worship. They had placed God in a temple and in the sanctuary where he could be controlled. I noted as well in the new covenant that God has made with us through Jesus Christ then God focuses on the reign of Jesus Christ in the hearts of believers. In other words God is directly involved in your life. Hebrews 8:8-12 "but God found fault with the people that said; the time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah' it will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers 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 make with the house 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 a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, know the Lord because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and I will remember their sins no more." It was by calling this covenant new that God has made the first covenant obsolete and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
I found this to be very interesting concerning today's church, and the ways that we approach God. If our hearts are not changed then following his rules, or his commandments will be unpleasant and difficult. We as men and women will tend to naturally rebel against being told how to live. It is the Holy Spirit however, who gives us new desires, helping us to want to obey God. Philippians 2: 12-13 tells us "therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence,-but how much more in my absence continued to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." When we approach obedience to God with a new heart we find that serving God is our greatest joy. Under God's new covenant, God's law is inside of us. It's no longer an external set of rules and principles. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of Christ words, it is he who activates our conscience and influences our motives and desires. It is God's Holy Spirit who makes us want to obey so doing God's will is something that we desire to do with all of our hearts and minds. There is so much to be said about the development of this attitude within our churches today. We who worship Christ must worship him in spirit and in truth, and we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices on a daily basis. This week we will be digging further into the book of Hebrews as we talk together about the differences in worshiping in an earthly tabernacle and in worshiping through the power of God's Holy Spirit in a forgiven heart. May you richly bless God through your life in him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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