Are You a Minister of the Old or New Covenant?

For most of the first 10 years I was a pastor, I was a mixed up minister who mixed up a lot of Christians by preaching a mixture of the Old Covenant (OC) and New Covenant (NC).  By doing this, I unwittingly watered down both the purpose of the (OC) and the power of the (NC).  

It was my own preaching like this that eventually brought me to brokenness.  That would be a great title for a book, wouldn’t it?  “Pastor’s Own Preaching Breaks Him”!  In that brokenness, God began to give me understanding about the liberating difference in the two Covenants.   I didn’t know at the time that this was not only going to free me but many others in the years to come.

Let’s look at according to 2 Corinthians 3:5-11 and then check ourselves to which one we are telling people.

5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came [c]with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. 10 For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

The ministry of the (OC) is a ministry of death.  The purpose of the (OC) or law is to show an unbeliever how sinful they are.  They are sinful because their old nature is spiritually dead.  See Romans 3:19-20; Romans 5:20; Galatians 5:23; Ephesians 2:1-3

The ministry of the (NC) is a ministry of the Spirit. The law cannot give life but the gift of the Holy Spirit causes a person to come alive spiritually under the (NC).  Forgiveness is great but dead people need life!  Galatians 3:21; Romans 8:2

The ministry of the (OC) is a ministry of condemnation.   The ministry of the (OC) is to reveal to an unbeliever that because of their sins, they are condemned and therefore unacceptable to God.  Romans 3:19-20; 5:20; Galatians 3:21

The ministry of the (NC) is a ministry of righteousness.  The ministry of the (NC) reveals to Christians that they are 100% acceptable to God because they are the righteousness of God in Christ. Romans 5:1, 17, 19; 2 Corinthians 5:21

The ministry of the (OC) has come to an end.  Once a person comes to faith in Christ, their relationship with the (OC), meaning the law, ends and is replaced by the (NC).  Romans 7:1-7; Galatians 3:19, 25

The ministry of the (NC) is permanent.  As Christians, our identity in Christ and Christ in us has permanently replaced the (OC).  Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 10:16-17

If you are discovering that you are like I once was, in that you mix together the two Covenants, let go of the Old Covenant unless you are talking to an unbeliever.  It’s not for Christians!  Embrace and live in the freedom of being a New Covenant person!  Minister to people this awesome New Covenant which God has provided for us in Christ!

Believe it!  It’s the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding

How the New Covenant Trumps the Old Covenant

Many years ago, when on the staff of a large church, I was caught off guard one day in the work room by the Church Receptionist.  She quizzed me about my relationship with Ellen Taylor, a well-known girl in the church.  We were secretly dating because I was the Youth Minister. So, we were trying to keep it under wraps.  Though I tried to to play it off, the Receptionist realized something was up because she said, "You talk about her differently than anyone else".

I'm so glad God forgave me for lying that day because though  I denied we were dating, I was caught!  Yet, my entire demeanor changed when I spoke of her.  I just could not hide the love and joy I felt when I talked about Ellen Taylor, compared to other people.  My face lit up every time I spoke about her. 

When you and I talk about Jesus and the New Covenant, people may very well notice that we light up too.  Why? Because through The New Covenant, He transforms us so much more than the Old Covenant every could!  I think you will appreciate more of what I mean as we compare the two. 

    

Old Covenant  (Also referred to as the  Mosaic or Law Covenant)	New Covenant  (Also referred to as the  Grace Covenant)
God related to Israel as their King , Father and Husband  1 Samuel 8:7; Deuteronomy 32:6, Jeremiah 31:31-32 Binding Vows:  God promised that He would do His part as long as Israel did their part. Deuteronomy 28	God relates to you as your King, Father and Husband.  1Timothy 1:17; Romans 8:15; Ephesians 5: 21-22  Binding Vows:  God has promised that He would do His part and your part.  He continues to do your  part as you rely on Jesus to live in and through you. Jeremiah 31:31-34, Galatians 2:20
Responsibilities:  The 10 Commandments were written by God on tablets of stone.  Exodus 22	Responsibilities:  God wrote His law on your heart. This gave you your identity in Christ.  Hebrews 10:16
Blessings:    ...Were given by God based  on one condition - their obedience.  Deuteronomy 28 (1/5 of the chapter is blessings; 4/5 is curses.)   ...God was in the Tabernacle  and later the Temple.  Each Jew  could get close to God only once  a year, Yom Kippur, when he or  she was represented by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies.  Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 16 ...God lived near Israel in the  Holy of Holies.  Leviticus 16:2 ...God gave temporary  forgiveness based on their  most recent sacrifice.  Leviticus	Blessings:  ...God blessed you with all your blessings in Christ the moment you believed.  The only condition is faith in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3, 2:7-8  (No curses under The New Covenant!) ...God is in you and you can't get any closer to God than that!  Galatians 2:20 ...God lives very much at home in your spirit, the new Holy of Holies.  1Corinthians 6:17 and 19.  ...God gave you eternal forgiveness for your past, present and future sins, based on Jesus' sacrifice.  Colossians 2:13
The Cutting of the Covenant: The sacrificial system was the continuous  "cutting of the covenant".  It was also a constant reminder of their sins. Hebrews 9:18-20	The Cutting of the Covenant:   This covenant was "cut" by the death of Jesus Christ that you "walked into" with God.  Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20
The Covenant Meal:  The Passover Exodus 12	The Covenant Meal:  The Lord's Supper. (Some know it as Communion or the Eucharist). Matthew 26:27
The Sign of the Covenant:  Circumcision for men only (the ladies said,"Hallelujah") which covered their  entire family. Leviticus 12:2-3	The Sign of the Covenant:  Baptism for each individual including men as well as women.  Acts 10

  

Are you beginning to understand how much better the New Covenant is compared to the Old Covenant?  "Thank you God for Your New Covenant that You have so richly provided for us in Christ!  What good news!"  

"But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises."  Hebrew 6:6 NIV

    

Believe it!  It's the Gospel!

Live free in Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding

Much Better! The New Covenant

Recently, I had the great joy of marrying a special young couple for whom I had provided pre-marital counseling.  It was cool to observe them stare into each other's eyes with that "I love you but I hope I don't pass out" look as they repeated their vows.  As they did, it reminded me that wedding vows are the closet thing we have to a covenant in our culture today.  Christ followers have entered into what Jesus called the New Covenant by very few know what this means.  This void has made us vulnerable to being ambushed by religion and the pain of the flesh.  We see them every week at Grace Life International. A covenant is an agreement between two parties pledging their commitment and responsibilities to each other.  It is binding until one of them dies.   In ancient times, it might be between a king who set up a covenant with the people he had conquered.  The people may not have been given the choice of agreeing.  This was a very authoritative, legal covenant. Another version was much more relational.  In the Old Covenant, God gave Himself to Israel as their authoritative King and their loving Husband.  Key Elements of A Covenant 1. Binding vows.  2. Responsibilities and blessings.   Each had responsibilities for the other which would result in blessings for both.  For example, you and I might commit to be responsible for helping each other if one was attacked.  The blessing would be that we would both have twice the defense for defeating an enemy.   3. The Cutting of the Covenant.   The two parties would walk in a figure eight around animals sacrificed and cut in half in two piles. Now the covenant was sealed in blood until someone died.  The sacrificed animals were also a warning of what would befall someone who broke the covenant!
4. The Covenant Meal.  Both the enjoyed a meal together, eating the cooked animals showing they had internalized the covenant in the very fabric of their being.  5. A sign of the covenant.  There was always a sign covenant as a constant reminder of the relationship.  For example, my wedding ring constantly reminds me of my marriage covenant with my wife.
 Did you know that the Old and New Covenants have all five elements (which I will share next week)?  Did you also know that when Jesus died as one of the parties of the Old Covenant, it ended and the New Covenant was inaugurated?  Read Hebrews 9:16-17.
 "Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way." I am excited for the deeper intimacy, freedom, and fruitfulness in Christ that await you as God unfolds the New Covenant for you during the next few weeks.
 Believe it!  It's the Gospel!
Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding

All Your Failures Are Erased through the Gift of Righteousness

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with regret, even for a moment, because of past failures?  I have and it can take your emotions down to the bottom of the ocean where there is no light and no life.  The great news is that though you may remember your failures, God doesn’t. 

There is a fascinating Scripture in Romans 4:19-21 that gives us keen insight into this issue in the story of Abraham.  You may remember that God promised good ole Abe that he was going to be the father of many nations, but for years nothing happened. 

One day, he and Sarah hatched what seemed like a genius idea.  They would help God fulfill His promise by using a custom of the day which allowed wives to give a female servant to their husband for the purpose of impregnating her.  When the child was born, the wife would be there and the child would be considered hers.  This was the ancient way of having a surrogate to provide a child to a husband and wife.

There was a problem though.  This was not God’s plan!  It was the plan according to the flesh of Abraham and Sarah.  God actually wanted Abraham to trust Him to get Sarah pregnant through Abraham, though she was past child bearing age.

When you read that story in Genesis 12-25, there is no doubt that Abraham wavered in his faith in God’s promise.  But, here is how God remembered it when the Holy Spirit wrote Romans 4:19-22 through Paul.

19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness.  NASB

Do you see it?  Because God saw Abraham’s righteousness, He says that Abraham “did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.”  And that is the good news of the Gospel!  As one who is in Christ, you may occasionally visit the land of regret, but God wants you to “set your mind on things above, not on the things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)  In other words, let the Gospel guide your thoughts away from regret and into the confidence of your gift of righteousness in Christ before our Father!  And as one who is 100% righteous before Him in your identity in Christ, your soul will be able to rest in the peace of God.

What are you going to do the next time Satan brings regret into your mind?  Preach the Gospel to yourself remembering that because you are righteous, God sees you as one who has lived by faith, not by doubt.

Believe it!  It’s the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding

The Freedom of No Condemnation

Not too long ago, my flesh jumped up and down with its dastardly desires.   When it did, my emotions took a nose dive and before I knew it, they were on the floor getting stomped on.   I wasn't having much fun, to say the least.

That is the way our flesh works.  It jumps up and down inside of us trying to control us and when it does, it makes us feel miserable.   And sometimes, it makes the people around us feel miserable!

 I was crying out to the Lord off and on during this time.  Finally, I said, "Lord, please help me with your life in me."  After a while the Holy Spirit reminded me of Romans 8:1-2 but He did it in reverse order starting with verse 2.  "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death."   I rolled that over and over in my mind and as I did, the peace that passes all understanding began to cut through all the negative feelings.

 Let's think about it together for a minute.  The law of the Spirit is the new law which operates in us in the place of the Old Testament law.  What is that new law?  It is this:  we have the life of Christ Jesus operating inside of us to overcome and free us from another law, the law of sin and death.  The law of sin and death is what we inherited from Adam.  This is not the old nature because it was crucified with Christ.  (Romans 6:6).    It's sometimes called the power of sin which is an unholy force in me but it is not me.  It's like having a splinter in your finger.  The splinter is inflicting pain in me but it is not me.  To make it clear, trying harder is not more powerful than this power of sin.  Only the life of Christ in us is more powerful.

Next, the Holy Spirit reminded me of verse one.  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."   He was saying to me that He knew how much I was being defeated but there was still no condemnation from Him.  He also reminded me that this verse comes after Romans 7:15-24 where the Apostle Paul shares in detail his own story of devastating defeat sin. 

 What freedom!  No matter how much sin defeats us, there is no condemnation! It took a while for my emotions to come up from the floor.  The reason is that our emotions follow our thoughts much like a train caboose follows the engine.  Your emotions may take some time to line up with the truth of the Gospel as well.

 Have you ever heard of preaching the Gospel to yourself?  That is what my story is really about.  The Holy Spirit wants all of us to preach the Gospel to ourselves often- the complete Gospel.   This is where our freedom is in Christ. 

Believe it!  It's the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ, Mark Maulding, President and Founder www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding