An Evangelical Free Church in Cary, NC
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Sermons on Joy

Key differences between the Old Covenant and New Covenant

What is the New Covenant? The New Covenant is God making a way through his Son Jesus Christ- sealing the covenant through Christ’s blood–so that people can be made right with Him and have spiritual, everlasting life.

The Spirit of God seals our salvation and writes His law on our hearts, so that we can obey God in freedom and joy. Our motivation is not to obey in order to please God, as if we were in danger of falling out of his favor. Our motivation is to obey Him out of gratitude, joy, and the pleasure of being in His will.

Paul defends his apostleship to the Corinthians, and points back to the gospel message, which has taken hold in their hearts. Their changed lives are all the recommendation he needs. He then reminds them of the power and assurance of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant. The letter of the law, and the law itself, could not produce new life. Only the Holy Spirit can produce new life and a new heart.

Even Mother Theresa needs God's mercy!

“But Because of His Mercy!”

God saved us–not by anything we did in our own righteousness–but because He is gracious and merciful and gave us the righteousness of Christ.

—Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, eliminates any kind of personal boasting. Notice that Paul says in verses 1-2 “We ourselves were this way…”

–Salvation by free grace in Christ humbles every single person, when he or she realizes that their sins were so heinous Jesus had to die on their behalf in order to satisfy God’s justice.

–Salvation by free grace in Christ also emboldens every person, because he or she realizes that Jesus was willing to die for them!

–Salvation by free grace through faith in Christ edifies each person, because each person-no matter his or her circumstances in the world-knows that they have the hope of eternal life and a complete inheritance with Jesus!

–Salvation by grace through faith propels each person to good works, because we respond out of love and joyful obedience. Grace frees us to pursue God as a result of being his beloved child, not because we are trying to crawl our way back to Him.