WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daly preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.719 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:21.879 I just want to say good morning, 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:23.559 Ontario Community Church. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:27.000 It is great to be here this morning. 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:30.199 And as we're heading to our seats right now, 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:31.920 we're going to go ahead and get started. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:34.520 We're continuing our sermon series, 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:38.399 Sacred Journey from Death to Life. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:43.679 This is our series that's going to take us to our time of Easter. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:46.719 And the title for our sermon is, 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.320 The New Covenant and Sacrificial Love. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:54.280 And it's going to be based off of Jeremiah chapter 31 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:59.200 verses 31 through 34. 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:01.399 And as we're opening, 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:04.280 I want you to think about this question. 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:06.159 And it's the question of, 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:12.359 what does the wording, new covenant, mean to you? 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:15.680 I want you to think about that as we're going along this morning. 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:18.400 When we think about the gospel message, 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:22.079 let us think of the idea of the new covenant. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:27.079 There was this transition from the continual sacrificial system 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:30.039 of the old covenants to the new covenant 00:01:30.039 --> 00:01:33.640 that was established by Jesus' birth, 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:37.319 His ministry, His life, His death, 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:40.159 His burial and His resurrection. 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:44.280 The new covenant was a fulfillment of prophecy. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:48.759 And God was providing a way for salvation 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:53.760 to no longer be for a select few number of people, 00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:59.240 but rather an invitation for all who believe. 00:01:59.240 --> 00:02:03.680 It is Jesus Christ who is the savior of the world, 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:08.680 and Christ is the fulfillment of the old covenant. 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:13.560 It is Christ who is the cornerstone of our faith. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:16.120 And let us realize that salvation, 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.879 it is available for all who believe, 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:21.640 and it came from this new covenant, 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:25.759 which in turn came from the sacrificial love 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:31.240 that God had for us by sending His Son, Jesus. 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:33.599 Before we go any further, what I'd like us to do, 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:36.159 I'd like for us to pray together, 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:40.000 and let's pray that God will stir our hearts 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:44.759 and provide clarity to have a relationship with Him, 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:49.759 to grow in faith with Him, and to be moved to act. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:52.359 Let us pray together, will you pray with me? 00:02:53.519 --> 00:02:56.359 And Heavenly Father, as we are gathered here today 00:02:56.359 --> 00:03:00.239 as the body of Christ, we ask that you are here 00:03:00.239 --> 00:03:02.000 with us today. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.519 You God are the God of miracles. 00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:10.079 You are the God of life, light and truth. 00:03:10.079 --> 00:03:14.359 You made salvation possible through your Son, Jesus, 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:19.360 the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:03:19.480 --> 00:03:23.480 And it is because of this sacrificial love 00:03:23.480 --> 00:03:28.480 that we are able to be saved by believing in you. 00:03:28.480 --> 00:03:32.640 We ask that you help us deepen our understanding 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:36.720 about who you are, about the Word of God, 00:03:36.720 --> 00:03:39.280 and about our relationship with you. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:44.280 May we be hungry for your Word in that relationship with you. 00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:49.400 It is your Word that brings light to our path. 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.319 Guide us as we continue on this sacred journey 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:57.319 this morning, Father, that we may live and love like you. 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:00.400 It is in Jesus' holy name that we pray, 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.080 and we all say together, amen. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:06.360 So a question that I want you to think about 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:11.360 is can you think of a time when someone sacrificed for you? 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:14.120 Maybe it's a financial sacrifice. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:18.280 Maybe it was a sacrifice of time when someone was busy. 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:21.879 When we think of the type of love that requires sacrifice, 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:25.000 we think of something that may inconvenience us, 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:26.600 or it may be something that, well, 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:29.240 we may not want to do something. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:31.120 So think about that as we're going through, 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:33.840 and I'd like to put this image on here. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:38.599 This is a photo of a man by the name of Maximilian Kolbe. 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:44.119 In 1941, there was a man, we'll just call him Max, 00:04:44.119 --> 00:04:48.639 there was a man named Max who offered his life 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:50.599 in the place of a stranger. 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:55.079 And the story goes that there was a prisoner 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:58.839 who escaped the Auschwitz concentration camp 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:00.399 in World War II. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:01.919 And because of this incident, 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:04.280 what happened is the Germans, 00:05:04.280 --> 00:05:08.040 they decided that 10 people were to be starved 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:10.199 to death as punishment. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:15.200 It was very unfortunate, and the stranger was chosen. 00:05:17.520 --> 00:05:20.840 So what you have is Maximilian 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:23.920 who's offering his life for an unknown person. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:26.720 Well, that person, his name is Franzisek, 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:28.160 we'll call him Francis. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:31.040 He had a wife and children. 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:33.560 And the story goes that Maximilian, 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:38.360 he offered his life in place of the stranger. 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:40.560 When the Germans were selecting their 10 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:42.720 for who was to be punished, 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:44.800 Maximilian stepped in and said, 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:47.120 I'd like to go instead. 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:50.480 Take me instead, this man has a wife and children. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:56.280 And it was because of this sacrifice that Max made, 00:05:56.279 --> 00:06:01.279 he made that sacrifice so that Franzisek was able to live. 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:03.919 And when we hear that story, 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:08.079 that's a remarkable story to trade your life 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:11.559 for someone else, it's remarkable. 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:15.359 And as we begin with our first reading, 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:18.719 it's gonna be from the book of Hebrews, 00:06:18.719 --> 00:06:21.879 which is connected to Jeremiah. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:25.619 I want us to think, not just of sacrifices 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:26.639 that have been made to you, 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.079 or the sacrifice that was made in World War II, 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:31.920 but let us think of the sacrifice 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.920 that Jesus Christ made for us. 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:37.519 Let us turn together. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:39.800 It's gonna be in Hebrews, 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:44.259 chapter eight, verse seven through 13, 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:48.199 on page 1192. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:51.800 And the reason why I'm picking Hebrews and not Jeremiah 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:56.800 is because what's happening here is that 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:01.680 the Jeremiah passage is being referenced in Hebrews. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:04.439 So there is a connection that we can find here. 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:11.480 So page 1192. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.480 So it's gonna be Hebrews eight 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:21.480 versus seven through 13. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:30.600 So you see how there's the indentations 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:34.939 and verse eight through 12. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:37.280 That is the quoting of Jeremiah. 00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:39.640 So just for your information. 00:07:39.640 --> 00:07:41.759 So let's read from verse seven here. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:46.759 For if that first covenant had been faultless, 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:52.199 there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:55.199 For he finds fault with them when he says, 00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:56.599 let's read it together. 00:07:56.599 --> 00:08:00.199 Behold, the days are coming declares the Lord. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:04.000 When I will establish an old covenant or another covenant, 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.039 a what? 00:08:05.039 --> 00:08:07.639 A new covenant with the house of Israel 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.620 and with the house of Judah, 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:13.439 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:16.160 on the day when I took them by the hand 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:19.319 to bring them out of the land of Egypt. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:22.120 For they did not continue in my covenant. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:26.280 And so I showed no concern for them declares the Lord. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:28.519 For this is the covenant that I will make 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:30.480 with the house of Israel. 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:33.159 After those days declares the Lord. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:36.159 I will put my laws into their minds 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:38.320 and write them on their hearts. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:42.440 And I will be their God and they shall be my people. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:46.000 And they shall not teach each one his neighbor 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:49.600 and each one his brothers saying, no the Lord, 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:53.080 for they shall all know me from the least of them 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:54.379 to the greatest. 00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:58.040 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities. 00:08:58.040 --> 00:08:59.800 And what's this part say? 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:03.640 And I will remember their sins no more. 00:09:03.640 --> 00:09:04.480 Verse 13. 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:07.480 In speaking of a new covenant, 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:10.480 he makes the first one obsolete. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:13.920 And what is becoming obsolete is growing old 00:09:13.920 --> 00:09:16.039 and ready to vanish away. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:21.560 When we're looking over our scripture reading, 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:24.340 I'd like to put this chart on the screen here. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:26.279 You'll also find this in your notes. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.000 The law, the old covenant, 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:34.080 it speaks of the old mosaic covenant. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:38.620 It was given to God's people through the prophet through 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:39.960 Moses. 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:42.800 The law was limited as it did not, 00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:45.980 it didn't change hearts or minds. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.860 There was no permanent solution for sin. 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:52.759 And I'm speaking of the sacrificial system that existed. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.780 With the law, there was always the need 00:09:55.780 --> 00:10:00.780 for continual sacrifices and this was a temporary solution. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:04.819 The old covenant proved that there was a need 00:10:04.819 --> 00:10:09.579 for a permanent sacrifice, the need for a savior, 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:14.500 someone to forgive sins once and for all. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:18.299 And so on this part of the charts, that first top part, 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:21.539 you'll see Hebrews seven, 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:26.220 which speaks of fault in the first covenant. 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:28.860 And in Hebrews eight seven, 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:33.779 it says that for if the first covenant had been faultless, 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:37.820 there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:41.019 And in order for us to understand why this is, 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:45.259 why is there the need for a second or a new covenant? 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:48.100 Let's turn to, we'll put this on the screen. 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:52.060 Romans chapter eight, verse three. 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:54.940 For God has done what the law, 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:58.779 we can buy the flesh could not do. 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:03.059 By sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:05.899 and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:07.740 and it goes on with that. 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:11.399 So the problem with the old covenant had to do with sin 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:13.620 or the flesh. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:17.500 And so this old covenant was not sustainable. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:21.579 It had to do with our sin as it says in this verse. 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:26.500 And what God had in store was a better solution, 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:31.500 a better plan for God's people, but also for the Gentiles. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:37.019 The word becoming flesh, the permanent, 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:41.500 the one time only sacrifice for our sins. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:43.700 And that second point in your notes, 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:47.259 it's that because there is fault in the old covenant, 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:50.100 there's a need for the new covenant. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:54.259 The verses that you find in Hebrews chapter eight, 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:57.819 verses eight through 12 is exactly 00:11:59.059 --> 00:12:04.059 what you'll find in Jeremiah 31, verses 31 through 34. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:08.100 And this means that there is a connection. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:11.980 It's something that was foretold in the Old Testament 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:16.980 is referenced here in the new as the fulfillment in Christ. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:21.740 When we're considering the context of Jeremiah, 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:26.740 it speaks of prophecy concerning the restoration of Israel. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:31.060 In Jeremiah chapter 30 through 31, 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:33.299 it's known as the book of consolation 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:37.299 where God is speaking about hope for God's people. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:41.500 And in the context of the Hebrew verses, 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:43.860 it's using the Jeremiah passage. 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:47.580 It's talking about how Christ is the high priest 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.500 of the greater covenant. 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:53.580 And I want to take a moment to break down 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:58.379 what the connection is with Hebrews and the Jeremiah passage. 00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:03.299 For what was once foretold from the law 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:07.379 and the prophets of old, it has been fulfilled 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:10.379 through Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:13.620 And you'll see on your notes, I'll have this up here, 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:17.419 is that in Hebrews 8, 8 and Jeremiah 31, 31, 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:19.819 there will be a new everlasting covenant. 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:22.259 You'll see in your notes, connecting verses. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:24.579 We're not gonna go to all of them. 00:13:24.579 --> 00:13:27.259 But there's a need for a new everlasting covenant. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:30.899 Out of Egypt, the covenant was broken continually 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:32.419 because of sin. 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:37.620 The covenant then was written in our hearts. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:40.299 And then finally, all will be taught by God 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:45.299 and God will forgive iniquity and remember sin no more. 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:50.299 So we start off with how the new covenant is speaking 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:54.539 of the greater covenant that would come forth 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:56.579 from Jesus Christ. 00:13:56.579 --> 00:14:01.579 The Lord had Moses bring his people out of the land of Egypt 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:04.539 and had established the old mosaic covenant, 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:07.299 if you think of the stone tablets, right? 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:09.379 The establishment of the law. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.019 And within this old covenant, 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:15.620 it was continually broken due to sin, 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:18.179 due to the flesh as we have gone over. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:21.379 There was the continual need to offer sacrifices 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:25.500 and it was this cycle of disobedience and return 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:30.220 that we saw with God's people. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:33.419 And in the new covenant, God would write the law 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.939 in their hearts. 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:39.379 This new law is much like how Christ provided 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:43.179 the new commandment to love one another, right? 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:45.899 To love God and to love people. 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:48.340 And under the new covenant, 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:51.980 the knowledge of the Lord would become widely available. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:56.019 And what that means for us is that we could enter 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:59.820 into a deeper relationship with the Lord. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:03.580 This knowing it refers to that relationship 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:08.580 that it doesn't just require knowledge about the law. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:10.379 You might have heard me before talk about 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:14.700 the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. 00:15:14.700 --> 00:15:17.259 I can know of you, 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:20.340 but that's different than me knowing you personally. 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:24.020 So it's the transition from knowing about the Lord 00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:27.100 to actually having that relationship with him. 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:30.580 And this, like I said, to know the Lord, 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:32.220 and I'll repeat it again, 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:35.180 to know the Lord is very much different 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:37.379 than knowing about the Lord. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:42.379 It speaks of heart knowledge that we should incorporate. 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:45.340 And towards the end, the new covenant from Christ, 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:48.939 it speaks that God will forgive us of our sins. 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:52.259 And this is the tie into the here and the now. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:57.259 It is God who had a plan for the forgiveness of sins 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:59.460 through Christ. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.059 And when we read Jeremiah, 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:04.620 it foretells of how God will forgive sins 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:08.019 by the one time sacrifice. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.820 A question I want you to think about 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:13.100 as we're going through here is, 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:18.100 how does knowing that God had a plan for salvation for all, 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:21.820 how does that affect your understanding of Christ? 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:23.820 Well, that should be an easy one, right? 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:27.860 It's knowing that God had a plan for us all along, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:30.659 that just because there's sin and there's imperfection 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:34.740 here on the earth, God has a better way. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.740 And because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:42.740 there is no longer a need for ongoing works of sacrifices. 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:46.620 It is now about faith in Christ. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:50.339 It is now about belief in Christ. 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:53.939 It is focusing on what has been done 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:57.899 rather than what we should continually do. 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:59.500 Do you understand there is a difference 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:02.500 between continuing every single day? 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.420 You have to continue doing works 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:07.380 as opposed to what Christ has done for you, 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:09.940 what God has done for you. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.019 It's a huge difference. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:13.019 And that takes us to this next part. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:18.940 The new covenant, it makes the old one obsolete. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:23.339 Let's keep in mind this final verse in Hebrews. 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.700 Again, it's this connection with Jeremiah. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:28.339 In speaking of a new covenant, 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:31.179 he makes the first one obsolete. 00:17:31.179 --> 00:17:34.779 And what is becoming obsolete and growing old 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:37.839 is ready to vanish away. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:40.459 Do you realize that Christ came into the world 00:17:40.459 --> 00:17:43.779 to fulfill the law and not abolish it? 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:46.779 That's Matthew chapter five, verse 17. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:51.059 Christ came and performed his earthly ministry. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:55.339 He was living his purpose to save the world from sin, 00:17:55.339 --> 00:18:00.339 amen, Christ is the atoning sacrifice 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:03.859 which does away with the old mosaic covenant 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:08.379 and it paves the way for the new covenant in Christ, 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:11.859 making salvation available for everyone, 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:15.299 not just the Jew, but for the Gentile as well. 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:18.259 And I want you to consider what second Corinthians, 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:21.220 chapter five, verse 17, what does it say? 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:26.220 Therefore, if some, if anyone is in Christ, 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:28.460 he is a what? 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:30.019 He's a new creation. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:34.620 The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:38.420 And ask yourself this question. 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:43.059 What old things have passed away in your former life 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:46.559 and what new things have happened in your life? 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:51.559 If you are a Christian, it is you are a new creation, right? 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:55.759 The old life is fading away or faded away. 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:59.299 And for those of us who may not know the Lord, 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:04.379 it's realizing that there is new life, there is purpose, 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:07.819 there is so much that exists from the Lord. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:12.659 It's being put on a trajectory of sanctification, 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:15.019 becoming more like the Lord. 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:18.579 It is having that eternal security in Christ 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:22.180 and knowing that no matter what happens to you, 00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:26.500 in this life you are secure in the arms of the Father. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:30.819 God loved us first and foremost. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:33.740 And he sent his son as the atoning sacrifice, 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:35.539 the lamb that was slain. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:39.299 And he did all of this to make salvation 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:41.420 available for everyone. 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:45.060 Again, not just for the Jewish people, 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:49.500 but for the Gentiles, that's us, right? 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.460 We are the Gentiles, right? 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:55.100 And in this new covenant, 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:58.220 God is more focused on that heart knowledge, 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:01.580 on you believing in him, 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:04.700 in you having that love for him, 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:07.140 rather than that head knowledge. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:10.779 And God had shown the greatest form of sacrificial love 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:14.779 by sending his son, how grateful we should be 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:17.819 to thank God for what he has done for us. 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:23.019 If you are a Christian and you are secure in salvation, 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:26.920 what better opportunity than to thank God every day? 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:30.500 For giving you another day in this life. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:32.460 To say thank you, God. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:35.500 I got another sunrise and another sunset. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:38.359 And I know sometimes we miss an hour, right? 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:40.659 Like the time change, right? 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:47.019 But in all of that, we should thank God for what he has done. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:50.619 The sacrificial love that Christ has for us, 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:55.379 it paved the way for the new covenant to begin. 00:20:55.379 --> 00:21:00.379 It all begins with believing in the Lord and being saved. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:04.979 Let your mind, let it be changed to know 00:21:04.979 --> 00:21:07.939 that Jesus Christ loves you, 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:11.380 and that God knew you before you were born. 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:15.140 Do you realize that God knows how many hairs 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.980 that are on your head? 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:19.340 I know, well, I don't see anyone who's bald here, right? 00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:23.779 But God knows how many hairs are on your head, right? 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:27.519 God knows how many sands are on the seashore, 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:29.940 the planets in the sky. 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:31.860 Have you tried counting that recently? 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:34.140 Or have you tried counting the hairs on your head 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:35.720 or the sands on the sea? 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:38.319 It's kind of hard to do. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:40.519 And I think you could have all the funding in the world 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.759 and probably not get, 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:45.240 because sand blows everywhere, right? 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:47.360 Sometimes we get stressed out and we pull out our hair, 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.200 right? 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:51.480 How many did you lose there when you pulled it out, right? 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:54.000 But God knows how much is in there. 00:21:55.559 --> 00:22:00.559 And God desires, His desire is for you to freely choose Him. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:04.480 God is not going to force you to believe in Him, 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.039 but God does call you. 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:09.279 Will you respond to God's call for your life? 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:13.359 Free-ly choose salvation for your life. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:15.720 If you're on a spiritual journey, 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.960 many of you may have heard that before. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.279 I'm on a spiritual journey. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:21.519 I'm trying to find truth. 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:23.599 I'm reminded of Pontius Pilate 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:26.879 when he asks the question, what is truth? 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:28.359 And there's a lot of people out there 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:31.279 that ask that question, what is truth? 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:34.439 And they're on this spiritual journey of searching. 00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:36.319 Well, I know one thing for sure. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:41.319 It is Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:44.599 If you're on a spiritual journey, let it become, 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:48.000 let it be towards knowing who Jesus Christ is 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:51.119 and in knowing the Lord, in believing in Him, 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:54.079 let your journey be walking with the Lord 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:57.559 or following in the footsteps of Christ. 00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:02.559 Christ, remember, in believing in the Lord, 00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:07.000 it is not the end, it is the beginning. 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:11.799 Let us remember that, know the Lord, grow in faith. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:15.240 And upon that firm foundation, the solid rock 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:19.319 that exists in Christ, be encouraged to go 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:23.119 and do good in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:28.119 God shared sacrificial love to us 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:31.759 and in seeing the love as what Christ did for us, 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:34.799 it should encourage us to act. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:39.319 First believe in the Lord, then act. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:42.319 And oh, what amazing and incredible things we can do 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:45.119 in the name that is above all names. 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:50.000 Let us encourage to live out the new commandment, 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:53.839 to love one another as Christ has loved us, 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:58.680 which in turn, it comes from the new covenants. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:01.440 Let us spread the gospel message to others 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:05.160 in sharing about the sacrificial love 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.880 that God has for us. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:12.960 In believing in the Lord and knowing that you are secure, 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:16.720 why wouldn't you want to share in what you believe in? 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:19.640 Why wouldn't you want to share in the gospel message? 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:21.280 Or in sharing your testimony 00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:24.440 and how God is worked in and through your life? 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:27.160 Or maybe for some of us, you might think, 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:29.680 well, I don't really have a good testimony. 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:32.000 You can still share in the gospel message 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:34.240 or you can share a wonderful story 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:38.240 of how Christ has worked in someone's else's life. 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:45.680 It all begins with believing in the Lord. 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:49.759 Let us spread that gospel message. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:53.720 Let us be motivated to live out the great commission 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:57.560 to baptize and to make disciples of all people. 00:24:57.560 --> 00:25:00.440 Let us embody this amazing love. 00:25:01.560 --> 00:25:04.840 Let us embody God's grace. 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:08.000 Let us exhibit God's love in the things that we say 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:12.840 and in the things that we do, how we live our life. 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:15.639 The sacrificial love of Christ. 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:19.639 We can live it out in service, in outreach, in evangelism 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:22.720 and supporting those that are in need. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:26.839 And before we close off our message today, 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:29.839 I want to go back to that story that I began with. 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:35.119 If you remember at the beginning of this message, 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:38.439 the story of Maximilian who gave his life 00:25:38.439 --> 00:25:40.720 for Francis Zech the stranger. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:42.039 What happened? 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:45.640 He gave his life what happened afterwards. 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:51.960 What's amazing is this is the stranger, Francis Zech. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:55.600 He survived the concentration camp. 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:58.120 He survived. 00:25:58.120 --> 00:26:00.279 He was able to return to his wife, 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:03.319 but sadly his children did not make it. 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:08.319 It is said that Francis Zech spent the rest of his life 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:12.839 he spent the rest of his life, listen to this. 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:16.279 He promoted the story of the sacrifice 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:21.159 that Maximilian made for him because his life was changed 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:25.879 in realizing this man, I was about to die. 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:30.019 And this man came and offered his life for me. 00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:32.879 That's what he spent his life doing, 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:35.319 telling the story of this sacrifice 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:37.279 that was made back in World War II. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:42.279 It is even said that he did this to repay a debt, 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:46.859 repay a debt that he could never really pay back, 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:49.259 but he was doing it anyways. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:51.579 He lived until 93 years old. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:57.619 When someone lays down their life for a stranger, 00:26:57.619 --> 00:27:02.619 society typically recognizes, we recognize it as selfless love, 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:06.099 someone who lays down their life for their friends, 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.699 but in this case it was a stranger, 00:27:07.699 --> 00:27:10.419 so someone who's laying down their life. 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:15.419 When Christ gave himself for the redemption of all people, 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:18.500 we should recognize the sacrificial love 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:23.500 that Christ has for us, for Christ is our redeemer. 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:28.419 And as we believe in Christ, 00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:31.500 let us walk in the footsteps of Christ. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:34.619 Let us embrace the truth of God's word, 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:39.619 and let us display the sacrificial love in the new covenant. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:44.460 When we hear about these stories 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:47.140 of these people who make these sacrifices, 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:51.059 not only is that an encouraging story, 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:53.259 it's a very deep story, 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:56.859 but it reminds me of the sacrifice that Christ made for me. 00:27:56.859 --> 00:28:01.859 Let this be a reminder of what Jesus has done in your life. 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:06.859 Come to know the Lord, believe in the Lord and be saved, 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:10.339 for our God is the God of transformation, 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:16.339 and our God, he saves us. 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:19.699 All we need to do is believe, and upon believing, 00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:22.019 let us live for him. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:24.059 Let's close in prayer together. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:27.539 And Father God, we thank you for giving us this time 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:32.539 to open your word, for your word is living and it is active. 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:36.859 We thank you for helping us expand 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:39.139 on what the new covenant is, 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:41.659 and how your Son provided salvation 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:45.099 through this sacrificial love for us. 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:49.099 Your love, it is everlasting and it endures forever. 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:52.500 We know you're in control, even though we may not fully understand it. 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:54.500 We know you are sovereign. 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:58.500 And in the highs and lows of life, you are there for us, 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:02.099 and you will never abandon us, and you will never forsake us. 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:06.099 We ask that you are with us as we sing these songs 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:10.099 or this closing song, and as we go forth from this place, 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:13.099 may we fear not. 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:16.099 We ask that this message be heard, 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:19.099 and we fear not. 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:22.099 We ask that this message today will remain in our minds 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:24.099 and written in our hearts. 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:28.099 May we live out this faith knowing that we are secure 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:30.099 in salvation through belief. 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:34.099 And may we be encouraged to share in the light of Christ 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:37.099 and in the love of Christ. 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:42.099 May we be encouraged to live in love like Jesus Christ 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:45.099 and all that we say and in all that we do. 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:49.099 In the name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names. 00:29:49.099 --> 00:30:17.099 Amen.