WHO ARE YOU? (17) A Covenant Child (Part One)

BIBLEFAITH NUGGETS MAY 2012 EDITION
TOPIC: WHO ARE YOU? (17) A Covenant Child (Part One)
Psalm 89:34-35. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David
Covenant Defined: Covenant is a pack, treaty, agreement between persons or nations and in the Bible between God and Man (Gen.21:27, 1 Sam. 18:3,1King 20:34, Gen. 9:9-11; 17:1-14). In Old Testament usage is a promise (obligatory or joint obligatory), human or divine, mutual undertaking between God and Man or Israel. In N.T it is called New covenant (Heb. 9:15), the second covenant (Heb. 8:7), a better covenant (Heb. 7:22). Here we will dwell on the covenant between GOD and YOU, a better covenant based on AGAPE LOVE.
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Covenant Love: It is God's kind of love. AGAPE is seeking the welfare and betterment of another regardless of how we feel. Agape does not have the primary meaning of feelings or affection. Jesus displayed it when he went to the cross and died for you and me regardless of how He felt. In the gospels Jesus prayed, "… not as I will, but as thou wilt. Eros Love (sexual or physical passion), Storge Love (family affection between mother and infant, father, children), Phileo Love (friendship love), may all fail but not Agape.
God is Love (agape), Agape is shed abroad in our heart, rooted and grounded and overflow in promise (Eph. 3:17-19). You are in my heart always Agape says. I think of how you are faring always. Agape is always doing, action not just words unlike other kinds of love. You can give without Love but you cannot love without Giving. When I see the blood I will pass over you (Ex.12:13 - Here blood was smeared on top Lintel post of the door and by middle of the two side door post. If you draw a vertical line from top smear and horizontal line from two sides smear of the post you get a cross).When I remember the cross I remember you. When I see Jesus Christ I remember you.
Covenant Vs. Contract: Unlike covenant contract can be broken but covenant is binding.
KEY WORD in This Relationship is REMEMBER: God remembers all the time the covenant oath come rain, come shine. It is a legal word.
- And God remembered Noah (Gen 8:1)
- When God destroyed the cities ...God remembered Abraham (Gen 19:29)
- And God remembered Rachel, and opened her womb (Gen 30:22)
- God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac… (Ex. 2:24)
- He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward Israel (Psa. 98:3)
- …ye shall blow an alarm …and ye shall be remembered before the LORD….be saved from your enemies (Num.10:9)
God will always remember you. This is a good prayer word to confess or use in prayers to God. Oh Lord remember…
Cutting Blood Covenant: Blood covenant is unbreakable and forever. Blood was needed in O.T. It was blood of animals but with believers it is blood of Christ already shed for us once and for all. Is a better sacrifice - no more sacrifice of any animal. (Heb. 9:22-24).
- Covenant is based on both strengths and weakness of the partners, not just on the good. You bear the burden of each other. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
- Ordinary family covenant unlike blood covenant may last for 8 generations
Covenant between God and Abraham: When God promised Abraham an inheritance - Abraham demanded for a sign as an assurance that he will come out an inheritor, come out of his childlessness, unfruitfulness. How do I know that I will come out of this poverty? This insecurity,this lack. God then cut/divided or established a covenant with him. He asked Abraham to get 3 animals of 3 years old each (number 3 again and again-God of pattern) and cut them by the spine and lay them side by side with the blood flowing in between. God passed through the blood between those animals (Gen 15:8-18).
Covenant Promise cannot be broken
-Even as this animal is dead I will stand in this blood by you even in death. Blood smell is not easy to forget.
Covenant Seal is the scar created: scars cannot be forgotten. Scars of Jesus are all over us for good.
Gal. 6:17: From henceforth let no man trouble, me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Covenant Name: Exchange of names. Each partner takes on the other’s name. God took the name of Abraham when HE said “I am the God of Abraham” His love is my love. His enemies are my enemies. His friends are my friends too. We have and use the name of Jesus Christ our lord and savior. God see us through the mirror of Jesus Christ, as he look at you, he does not see your weakness but Jesus instead, the propitiation for our sins.
Covenant Ceremony: Let me illustrate covenant between a Teacher and a General. Both will pass through the blood. The General will surrender his uniform with the stars that made him a general and put on the teacher. As they exchange coat, gifts they also exchange what they are and possess physically. And is enforced spiritually too. By this arrangement whatever you are I am and whatever you have I have. So teacher you have access to all I have access to. You are mine and I am yours.
So it is between you and God. Though God is still God and you are still a child of God -a kind of God. In Psalm 82:6 God said, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High” Abraham became a partner with God friend of God, and God changed his name from Abram to Abraham (before this time he was called Abram - Gen 17:5) God the Principal partner and you the executive (executing) partner in the affairs of men. Glory! Everything about you have changed - your role and participation in life. Live like a blue blooded royal blood you are. Not arrogantly ‘cos arrogants arrogate (i.e. claim something without right).Kings don’t ‘cos they are there. They own it by blood. Stand up beloved. Unlike the General your weakness, failures, shortcoming in life and marriage has been swallowed by the greatness of God. Praise God. I feel like jumping up now (To be continued).
Pastor Ikechukwu Joseph (+2348035033228)