The New Covenant Path to Endurance and Devotion
- Brother Victor
Gratitude for Conferences
Conferences, particularly those in Bangalore, have been a significant blessing over the years. They have positively impacted individuals, families, and churches, including those in Tamil Nadu. These gatherings foster spiritual growth and devotion to Christ, which is the central theme of the current conference.
Devotion to Christ
Devotion to Christ enables believers to endure trials and tribulations, as exemplified by Job, who persevered due to his devotion to God. This devotion empowers individuals to overcome temptation, make sacrifices, and engage in ministry. All actions should stem from the first love—the love God has shown through forgiveness and Christ’s sacrificial love.
Fixing Eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12)
Hebrews 12:2 urges believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross, despised shame, and faced hostility from sinners (Hebrews 12:2-3). This endurance ensures believers do not grow weary or lose heart. Jesus resisted sin to the point of shedding blood (Hebrews 12:4), setting a perfect example unlike the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, who, despite their approval through faith, did not receive the promise or achieve perfection (Hebrews 11:39-40).
Imperfection of Old Covenant Heroes
While Hebrews 11 lists many heroes of faith, they are not perfect examples. They often grumbled, murmured, or became discouraged during trials, as they lived under the Old Covenant without the perfection offered by grace. In contrast, Jesus, as highlighted in Hebrews 12, is the perfect example who endured shame, hostility, and the cross without faltering.
Example of Moses (Numbers 11)
Moses, a great Old Covenant leader, became discouraged under the burden of leading the Israelites. In Numbers 11:11-15, he expressed frustration, questioning why he was burdened with the people and even requesting death to escape his troubles. This reflects a lack of New Covenant grace. Believers who grumble or wish to die during trials resemble Moses and remain under an Old Covenant mindset, failing to embrace New Covenant truths.
Proverbs 24:10
Proverbs 24:10 states, “If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.” This verse emphasizes the need to remain steadfast during crises. Old Covenant figures, including Moses and Job, often faltered in distress, highlighting their limited strength compared to the grace available in the New Covenant.
Frustration in God’s Work
Frustration in serving God, especially in church responsibilities, is unacceptable. Moses’ frustration led God to distribute his spirit among 70 elders (Numbers 11:16-17), revealing that one Moses was equivalent to 70 elders—a strength he was unaware of due to his discouragement. Believers should serve with joy, not frustration, as God may ask those who serve grudgingly to step aside.
Example of Elijah (1 Kings 19)
Elijah, a mighty prophet, fell into depression and requested death after spiritual pride led him to believe he alone was zealous for God (1 Kings 19:4, 10, 14). Unaware of the 7,000 faithful remnants, his pride and discouragement prompted God to appoint Elisha in his place (1 Kings 19:16). This illustrates that frustration or depression in ministry leads to God’s call to step aside.
Example of John the Baptist (Matthew 11)
John the Baptist, despite identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God, questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah when imprisoned (Matthew 11:2-6). Offended that Jesus did not free him, John reflected an Old Covenant mindset. Jesus responded by urging him not to take offense, affirming that both were appointed for death.
Jesus as the Perfect Example
Unlike Old Covenant heroes, Jesus endured the cross, shame, and hostility without discouragement or depression. Psalm 69:7-8 prophesies Jesus’ life in Nazareth, where he faced reproach, dishonor, and estrangement from his family. Despite being hated without cause and forced to restore what he did not steal, Jesus continually forgave his brothers, learning forgiveness through his experiences (e.g., forgiving 70 times seven, as taught in Matthew 18:22).
Presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:10)
Paul’s phrase “in the presence of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:10) refers to a state of continual forgiveness. Jesus exemplified this by forgiving those who despised and hated him in Nazareth. This ability to forgive, even in the face of repeated offenses, stemmed from his fellowship with the Father, providing strength to love and forgive relentlessly.
Jesus and Judas
Jesus chose Judas as a disciple after praying all night, indicating Judas was not initially a thief or devil (John 6:70). Over time, Judas became a thief and devil, calling Jesus “teacher” instead of “Lord” and criticizing Jesus’ decisions (John 12:6). Despite this, Jesus did not dismiss him, as God’s will was to keep him until the end (John 6:39). Jesus endured the pain of Judas’ betrayal, washing his feet and calling him “friend” at Gethsemane, resisting the temptation to view him as an enemy. This resistance against sin led to Jesus shedding blood in prayer (Luke 22:44).
Secret of Jesus’ Endurance
The secret to Jesus’ endurance of the cross, shame, and hostility was the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). This joy was not the trials themselves but the presence of the Father, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11). By keeping the Father before him, Jesus could love and forgive others, including Judas and his brothers in Nazareth.
New and Living Way (Hebrews 10)
Hebrews 10:19-20 describes a new and living way inaugurated by Jesus through the veil of his flesh. The shame, cross, and hostility tore this veil, granting access to the Father’s presence, where believers find rest, fellowship, and strength to love and forgive. Unlike Old Covenant figures like Moses, who could part the Red Sea but not his anger, or David, who could kill a lion but not his lust, New Covenant believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can tear the flesh and enter God’s presence.
Call to Follow Jesus
Believers are called to fix their eyes on Jesus, endure trials with the Father as their joy, and follow the new and living way. By doing so, they can avoid discouragement, love others, and live in fellowship with the Father, emulating Jesus’ devotion and endurance.
Bible References:
- Hebrews 12:1-4
- Hebrews 11:39-40
- Numbers 11:11-17
- Proverbs 24:10
- 1 Kings 19:4, 10, 14, 16
- Matthew 11:2-6
- Psalm 69:7-8
- Matthew 18:22
- 2 Corinthians 2:10
- John 6:39, 70
- John 12:6
- Luke 22:44
- Psalm 16:11
- Hebrews 10:19-20
Brother Charles
Contrast Between Old and New Covenants
Hebrews 11 lists Old Covenant saints, from Abel to John the Baptist, who operated under the Old Covenant because the New Covenant was inaugurated only after Jesus’ death. John the Baptist, though mentioned in the New Testament, is considered an Old Covenant figure as he died before Jesus’ crucifixion. These saints lacked the grace and indwelling Holy Spirit available in the New Covenant, limiting their ability to endure trials without murmuring or despair.
Transformation of Paul
Paul, initially a persecutor of Christians, was transformed when the Lord met him, broke him, and filled him with the Holy Spirit. As a New Covenant saint, Paul accomplished feats surpassing many Old Covenant heroes due to the grace and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Unlike Old Covenant figures, he did not murmur or complain despite severe trials (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Paul’s Trials (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
Paul faced immense hardships to prove his apostleship, especially to the carnal Corinthians who despised his unimpressive appearance and speech. He endured far more labors, imprisonments, and beatings, including 195 lashes (five times receiving 39 lashes), three beatings with rods, stoning, three shipwrecks, and a night and day in the sea. He also faced dangers from rivers, robbers, countrymen, Gentiles, cities, wilderness, seas, and false brethren, alongside labor, hardship, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold, and exposure. Additionally, he bore the daily pressure of concern for all the churches. Despite these, Paul never complained, a testament to the grace of God within him.
Role of the Holy Spirit
In the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit came upon individuals, as seen when God distributed Moses’ spirit to 70 elders (Numbers 11:17). However, the Spirit did not dwell within them. In contrast, Paul was indwelt, baptized, and continually filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling him to endure trials with grace. This indwelling Spirit empowered Paul to accomplish what Old Covenant saints could not.
Paul’s Humility and Grace (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Paul acknowledged his accomplishments were due to God’s grace, stating, “I am what I am by the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10). He labored more than others, yet humbly attributed his success to the grace within him, not his own strength. This humility and reliance on grace distinguished him as a New Covenant saint.
More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:37-39)
In Romans 8:37-39, Paul declared that believers are “more than conquerors” through Christ, overcoming all trials—death, life, principalities, powers, height, depth, angels, or demons—because nothing can separate them from God’s love in Christ Jesus. This victory stems from the indwelling Christ, who is greater than the world’s challenges.
Call to Rely on Grace
Believers, though made of dust and weak like clay pots, have no excuse to despair or give up like Old Covenant figures such as Elijah or Moses. When weak, they can plead for God’s grace and strength, as Paul did, knowing that God’s strength is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus promised that those who ask will receive (Matthew 7:7), encouraging believers to seek God’s help in trials.
Prayer for Grace and Strength
A prayer was offered, expressing gratitude for God’s sovereignty and Jesus’ intercession at the Father’s right hand. The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers’ weaknesses, and the prayer sought daily filling with the Holy Spirit, cleansing by Jesus’ blood, and grace akin to Paul’s, enabling believers to attribute their accomplishments to God’s grace. The prayer concluded with trust in God’s ability to do beyond what is asked or thought.
Bible References:
- Hebrews 11
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
- Numbers 11:17
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
- Romans 8:37-39
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Matthew 7:7
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