1.The Old Covenant Is Obsolete - Zac Poonen
The Word For Our Time
Summary
The speaker warns that the church is in the 'last hour,' characterized by the presence of many small antichrists, a spirit of pride, and a focus on worldly things like health and wealth rather than Christ's glory. He emphasizes that the New Covenant is fundamentally different from the Old Covenant, which was based on numerous rules and regulations. True ministry must be driven by a deep burden for the Gospel, not by a desire for honor or money.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Living in the last hourJohn wrote in the first century that it was the last hour, and living in light of Christ's imminent return should make all earthly pursuits fade away.
Understanding the New CovenantMost believers do not realize that the New Covenant is fundamentally different from the Old Covenant, which was based on rules and regulations.
The first covenant was without fault?The scripture states that if the first covenant was without fault, there would have been no need for a second one, because external laws cannot produce true godliness.Hebrews 8:7
The Old Covenant is obsoleteWhen God declares a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete and invalid, much like an expired road tax certificate that belongs in the trash.
The error of carrying Old Covenant practicesMany Christians still live under Old Covenant principles like tithing, relating to God as servants rather than brides with a joint account.
Two extremes in ChristendomBelievers either fall into miserable legalism by only focusing on working out their salvation or into casual superficiality by only focusing on God working in them.
God works in you to will and to doWe work out our salvation because God is first at work in us, giving us a powerful, blazing furnace of desire and the ability to fulfill His pleasure.
A true passion for GodSpiritual depth is not determined by intelligence or age, but by having an absolute, consuming passion to seek and please God above all else.
The miracle of water turned into wineJust as the servants at Cana served the wine that Jesus miraculously created, we work out the divine nature that God alone produces in us.
Recognizing our total inadequacyWe must first recognize that we are completely inadequate in ourselves to live the Christian life or produce the divine nature.2 Corinthians 3:6
Without Me you can do nothingJesus made it clear that without Him we can do nothing, and our adequacy as new covenant servants must come entirely from God.
The secret of godliness is a PersonThe great mystery of godliness is not a doctrine about Christ coming in the flesh, but Christ Himself manifested in our mortal flesh.1 Timothy 3:16
Call upon the Lord while He is nearBelievers are urged to earnestly seek the Lord and call upon Him while He is near, desiring His life as the only thing truly worth living for.
