Austin CFC | Zac Poonen - Most Believers Have Missed the New Covenant | 2020-06-02
Summary
The speaker argues that many believers have missed the true scope of the New Covenant gospel, which goes beyond mere forgiveness of sins. He contrasts the Old Testament focus on written law with the New Covenant emphasis on Jesus Christ—the Word becoming flesh—who offers salvation (being saved) rather than just pardon (being forgiven). True discipleship requires handling the Word accurately and ensuring one's inner life matches outward teaching, avoiding hypocrisy.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The Blindness of Believers to the Rest of the GospelSatan blinds unbelievers to the gospel of Christ's glory, but he also blinds many believers who remain stuck in a cycle of defeat and casual sin, only seeking forgiveness rather than true inner transformation.2 Corinthians 4:4
Two Requirements to Avoid DeceptionGod allows deluding influences only for those who do not love the truth shown in Scripture and those who are not genuinely interested in being saved from sin.
Forgiveness Versus Salvation from SinWhile the Old Testament offered forgiveness of sins, the New Covenant's first promise is that Jesus will actually save His people from their sins.Matthew 1:21
The Word Made Flesh and the Danger of HypocrisyJust as Jesus first did and then taught, New Testament believers are called to live out the Word rather than practicing hypocrisy or studying scripture without personal life change.
The Light of the Written Word Versus the Light of LifeUnder the Old Covenant the written word was the lamp, but under the New Covenant the life of Jesus manifested in flesh is the light of men.John 1:4
Grace, Reality, and Overcoming Inner SinGrace and reality came through Jesus Christ, making it possible to be free from inner hypocrisy and conquer sins like the tenth commandment's prohibition against lust.
Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over YouA defining characteristic of being under grace rather than law is that sin no longer rules as master over a believer's daily life.Romans 6:14
Knowing God as Father and Worshipping in SpiritThe New Covenant shifts our relationship with God from distant servants experiencing mercy to children who intimately know God as Father and worship Him in spirit.
The Three Parts of the New Covenant in HebrewsThe New Covenant is superior because God completely blots out past sins, enables every believer to know Him personally, and writes His laws directly onto our minds and hearts.Hebrews 8:7–12
Fulfilling the Sermon on the Mount Through GraceThe Sermon on the Mount is not an impossible standard, but a description of the higher life available when we build our houses on the rock of obedience through the Holy Spirit.
God Gives Grace Only to the HumbleWhenever a believer is defeated by sin, it points to pride in the heart, because God consistently gives the empowering grace required for victory exclusively to the humble.James 4:71 Peter 5:5
Money, Anxiety, and True Trust in the FatherNew Covenant discipleship involves offering 100 percent of possessions to God rather than operating under legalistic tithing, and refusing anxiety as a sin that denies God's care.
Seated in Heavenly Places and Refusing Human ConflictRecognizing our position seated in heavenly places frees us from fear of the devil and human conflict, shifting our struggle entirely away from flesh and blood to spiritual forces.Ephesians 2:6
True Fellowship as the Body of ChristUnlike Old Testament prophets who labored alone, New Covenant believers are built together into a unified body where two or more gathered in agreement by the Holy Spirit can defeat Satan.
Prayer and Encouragement to Experience the WordThe speaker concludes by urging listeners to deeply study these scriptures over time, allowing the written Word to become flesh within their daily lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
