9.1 NEW SERIES – WHAT HAS CHANGED AFTER THE CROSS?
In the last series, we have laid the foundation of our faith based on the New Covenant. Today we begin on a new series where we apply the truths of the New Covenant in a practical way. We will see the Bible through the FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST.
The New Covenant is established on better promises. Everything has changed for the better since the cross. But many Christians glance over the cross without understanding what was accomplished. They continue living their lives in the old system as if the cross never happened. It a great tragedy when an eagle does not know its full potential.
There are three levels of studying the Bible.
1) Apply everything literally from cover to cover
Most Christians have a Bible plan to read from cover to cover – Genesis to Revelation. We can gain “Bible knowledge” and try to apply all that we learn to our lives. For example, you can read about Jonah and the application is “to obey God’s calling”.
The problem is that the Old Covenant and New Covenants are opposites. So when a believer uses this approach, he often gets into CONFUSION. Also, this way of reading is the LOWEST in terms of REVELATION. Some things are hard to apply - like when you read about the Tabernacle, the Sacrifices, the High Priest, etc. So it can get very DRY.
2) Using the Old as a shadow of the New
The Old Testament is a shadow of the New. Christ is concealed in all the ceremonies and a lot of the stories. This way of studying contains HIGHER REVELATION and always FOCUSES you on CHRIST. For example Jesus said that the story of Jonah in the fish’s belly for 3 days point to Him – that He will be resurrected after 3 days. It gets very EXCITING. And looking at Christ builds our FAITH on Him – the ultimate application.
3) Contrasting the Old & the New Covenants
This is the highest level of studying the Bible. It brings out the HIGHER REVELATION of what Christ has accomplished on the cross. It tells us what Christianity is about (New Covenant) & what it is not (Old Covenant). It CLEARS UP and RECONCILES the CONFUSION between the systems of the Old & New. It helps us to start living by FAITH to the fullness in the New Covenant on the basis of Jesus’ FINISHED WORK. It gets very ENLIGHTENING.
For example, the book of Romans contrasts between the Old & the New. He talks about two kinds of righteousness, he contrast the works of the law with the hearing of faith, etc. In this series, we will use method 2 & 3 above to talk about a broad range of topics including prayer, worship, etc. Be prepared for a paradigm shift. God wants you to walk in the better promises of the New Covenant. Enjoy.
The New Covenant is established on better promises. Everything has changed for the better since the cross. But many Christians glance over the cross without understanding what was accomplished. They continue living their lives in the old system as if the cross never happened. It a great tragedy when an eagle does not know its full potential.
There are three levels of studying the Bible.
1) Apply everything literally from cover to cover
Most Christians have a Bible plan to read from cover to cover – Genesis to Revelation. We can gain “Bible knowledge” and try to apply all that we learn to our lives. For example, you can read about Jonah and the application is “to obey God’s calling”.
The problem is that the Old Covenant and New Covenants are opposites. So when a believer uses this approach, he often gets into CONFUSION. Also, this way of reading is the LOWEST in terms of REVELATION. Some things are hard to apply - like when you read about the Tabernacle, the Sacrifices, the High Priest, etc. So it can get very DRY.
2) Using the Old as a shadow of the New
The Old Testament is a shadow of the New. Christ is concealed in all the ceremonies and a lot of the stories. This way of studying contains HIGHER REVELATION and always FOCUSES you on CHRIST. For example Jesus said that the story of Jonah in the fish’s belly for 3 days point to Him – that He will be resurrected after 3 days. It gets very EXCITING. And looking at Christ builds our FAITH on Him – the ultimate application.
3) Contrasting the Old & the New Covenants
This is the highest level of studying the Bible. It brings out the HIGHER REVELATION of what Christ has accomplished on the cross. It tells us what Christianity is about (New Covenant) & what it is not (Old Covenant). It CLEARS UP and RECONCILES the CONFUSION between the systems of the Old & New. It helps us to start living by FAITH to the fullness in the New Covenant on the basis of Jesus’ FINISHED WORK. It gets very ENLIGHTENING.
For example, the book of Romans contrasts between the Old & the New. He talks about two kinds of righteousness, he contrast the works of the law with the hearing of faith, etc. In this series, we will use method 2 & 3 above to talk about a broad range of topics including prayer, worship, etc. Be prepared for a paradigm shift. God wants you to walk in the better promises of the New Covenant. Enjoy.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:23 AM
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