The Goal of the New Covenant is to Win Christ -- Santosh Poonen -- November 21, 2021
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/the-goal-of-the-new-covenant-is-to-win-christ River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message emphasizes that true life and adequacy come solely from the Holy Spirit, not from personal effort or adherence to religious rules. The speaker warns against the danger of living by the 'letter of the law,' which can lead to death, even within a seemingly religious community. He urges the congregation to seek the power of the Holy Spirit as the only source of life that truly pleases God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is your testimony of confidence?Paul lived with the confidence that his adequacy came entirely from God, knowing human self-sufficiency is not enough to make it through the day.
Two ways to deathBoth the law of sin and the letter of the law lead to the same pit of eternal separation from God if one relies on human religion rather than the Spirit.
Moving beyond a form of godlinessA life of religious activity without the power of the Holy Spirit is merely an earthly manufactured form of godliness that ends in death.
Getting off the religious carouselTrying to please God through self-effort results in an endless merry-go-round of sinning and confessing without true progress.
The old covenant contract versus the newUnder the old covenant, people had to sign their own obedience to a list of rules, which ultimately failed because human nature could not keep them.
Jesus signed our name on the agreementIn the new covenant, God has fulfilled His side, and Jesus came as a man to sign the other side on our behalf so we do not have to rely on our own performance.
Partaking of the shed bloodWe do not contribute our own contaminated efforts or blood to save ourselves; we simply drink and partake of the pure, precious blood of Jesus.
God's permanent covenant of graceGod established a permanent covenant with His chosen servant Jesus that will never be torn up, even when believers face earthly discipline for their sins.
Jesus tasted death for everyoneJesus suffered death so that He could bring many sons and daughters to glory, serving as the author of our salvation.Hebrews 2:9
Paul's reckoning of all human effort as lossPaul abandoned his impressive religious resume and self-righteous attainments, counting them as rubbish compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.
What does it mean to win Christ?Winning Christ means desiring nothing on earth or in heaven besides Him, letting Him capture our complete attention as a bridegroom is won by his bride.
Keeping our eyes fixed on the bridegroomWhen we fail or face turbulence, we must not jump out of the boat, but rather immediately fix our eyes afresh on Jesus.
