It is a joy to see each of you here today. As I prepared this message, I’ll be honest—I wrestled with it. We have many visitors and friends traveling from afar, and part of me wondered if this was the "right" kind of message to share on such a happy occasion. It feels a bit heavy, perhaps even a little sharp, but I believe it is a word the Lord has deeply impressed upon my heart for us today. My prayer is that we don't just settle for a comfortable, surface-level faith, but that we truly grasp the life-changing power of the New Covenant.
The Core Pillars of the New Covenant Life
1. Internal Transformation vs. External Performance
The New Covenant is not a modification of the old; it is a complete internal overhaul of the human heart.
The Inward Law: God promised to move His instructions from tablets of stone to the very fabric of our being. (Jeremiah 31:33-34)
A New Heart and Spirit: He takes away our stubborn, unresponsive "heart of stone" and replaces it with a tender "heart of flesh," empowered by His own Spirit. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Internal Righteousness: Jesus taught that the heart is the root of everything; He isn't just looking at our actions, but at the anger or lust hidden within. (Matthew 5:21-28)
A Cleansed Conscience: Through Jesus, we don't just get a temporary "covering" for sin; we receive a conscience truly cleansed from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)
2. Forsaking Modern "Old Covenant" Traps
I want us to be careful that we don’t recreate the Old Testament systems while using New Testament language.
Jesus as the Only Mediator: We must reject the idea that we need a "special" person or pastor to hear from God for us. We all have direct access to the Father. (1 Timothy 2:5)
Relationship Over Ritual: God is not looking for a checklist of religious duties or specific "minutes" spent in prayer; He wants a heart that seeks Him out of genuine love.
Scripture as a Pathway to Jesus: We should not read the Bible merely for knowledge or "promises" to get what we want, but to find the One the scriptures testify about. (John 5:39)
Integrity of the Inner Life: Our private reality must match our public "Christian" image. Being spiritual in public while remaining "rotten" in private is the way of the Pharisee.
3. The Goal: Reflecting the Character of Christ
The purpose of your salvation is not just to solve your earthly problems, but to transform who you are.
Forming Christ Within: God’s ultimate desire is that we would reflect the character and glory of His Son to everyone around us.
A New Creation: When we come to Christ, the "old" is not just repaired; it passes away, and everything becomes entirely new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The Aroma of Life: In moments of tragedy or trial, the New Covenant allows the "aroma" of Jesus—His peace and joy—to flow out of us instead of bitterness.
4. The Secret of the "Hidden" Life
The only way to live the "impossible" Christian life is through a total exchange of our life for His.
Dying to Self: Because Christ died for all, we accept that our old self has died, meaning we no longer live for our own rights or reputation. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
A Heavenly Mindset: We are called to stop being consumed by earthly gains and instead set our minds on things above where Christ is. (Colossians 3:1-2)
Hidden with Christ: Our true identity and security are now "hidden with Christ in God," making us untouchable by the insults or losses of this world. (Colossians 3:3)
Conclusion: The Reality of the Exchange
As we go from this place, I urge you: do not settle for a "ritualistic" Christianity. If your inside is seething with resentment while your outside puts on a spiritual smile, you are missing the power of the Cross.
The New Covenant was bought with the blood of Jesus to give you a peace that passes understanding and a "joy unspeakable and full of glory." Let us be like the one who found the pearl of great price—joyfully giving up our old, self-centered lives to possess the true life of Jesus. May your life be truly hidden in Him this week, so that when the world looks at you, they see the unmistakable fragrance of the Lord Jesus Christ.