The Power Of Covenant Series

So I don’t have time to fully expound on that topic this morning, but I’m not so sure that a nation who no longer lives and exists in obedience to God, often even failing to recognize the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross, is somehow protected by a covenant where God is required to uphold His end of the bargain regardless of their behavior.

We will look further at this idea of covenant tonight and see some correlations that might shed some more light on the issue of modern day Israel, and covenant relationships with God. But hopefully you can see that worldly definitions of covenant and contract don’t quite cut it when we are talking about Biblical covenant.

So Christians like Francis Frangipane provide a more Biblically based definition when he writes that, “A covenant is an altar upon which the Lord and His covenant partner give themselves fully to each other.”

A Partnership. A full giving of self to each other. Not a one way street, but a commitment to each other. And that can be a powerful trigger in our walk with God.

So in a day and age where we don’t like to over commit ourselves. Where we like to be free to do as we wish, when we wish, how we wish. Why should we join with a Hezekiah like spirit in a desire to unleash the power of covenant in our prayer lives?

Let me quickly share three reasons with you. First. . .

1. COVENANT MOVES US BEYOND WHAT GOD CAN DO FOR US . . .BEYOND THE “GIMMIES”

Fred was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up drinking."

Miraculously, a parking place appeared. Fred looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one!"

We live in a world of “What can Brown do for you?” “Have it your way.” And that is how most of our prayers lives play out. But when we are in covenant, our prayers move beyond simply asking God to do stuff for us, because we are focused on a reciprocating sacrifice for the kingdom. Which moves us to the second reason. . .

2. COVENANT MOVES US BEYOND VERBAL COMMITMENT. . . TO ACTION

If you have ever found yourself stuck. You tell God what you want to do for Him. You say there is a desire in your heart to do something for Him. But you just can’t seem to take that next step and actually do something for Him. It’s time to enter into a covenant with God. Make a sacrifice. Put something on the line. Ask God what He desires to do for you, as you agree to minister for Him.

And most importantly. . .

3. COVENANT MOVES US FURTHER TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF CHRISTLIKENESS

You see, I believe that covenant relationship with God is the highest, and simultaneously deepest relationship we can enjoy with God. It brings great pleasure to God when individuals or even parts of the body of Christ enter into a covenant relationship with Him. It reduces the distance that we so often put between our lives and God, and it draws us close to Him. Locking arms in mutual commitment to the greater things of the Kingdom.