Covenants: Our Promise Keeping God | The Worst Mother's Day Message Ever!
Pastor Chris Meade | Deut. 30, Jeremiah 29, Galatians 3 | May 12, 2024
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Deuteronomy 27 through 30 is a hard read. It is the culmination and inauguration of the Mosaic Covenant—or what Scripture calls The Law. Read chapter 28. 28:1-14, God gives the blessings for obedience. 28:15-68 are the overwhelming consequences of breaking the Mosaic Law. You see that this is a “Bi-Lateral Covenant”—“If you do this, I’ll do this.”
o Compare this to the Adamic Covenant in Genesis 2 and 3. What similarities do you see? What differences do you see?
3. Lamentations was written by Jeremiah as he reflected on the siege of Babylon on Jerusalem. What Babylon would do is surround the city and not let anything in…or out. Read Lamentations 2. What similarities to you see in Lamentations 2 and Deuteronomy 28?
4. The Mosaic Covenant was inaugurated in 1446 BC. God uses Assyria to judge Israel, the northern 10 tribes, in 721 BC. God uses Babylon to judge the people in Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah in 586 and take the entire nation into captivity.
o That is over seven and eight hundred years of the people and nation of Israel breaking the covenant, and God calling them back, to have them break the covenant, to God calling them back…over and over again.
o What does this say to you about God’s patience and long-suffering?o What does this say to you about God’s character in keeping His covenants?
5. Read Galatians 3:10-14…pay close attention to verse 13. Verse 13 speaks specifically of the curses in Deuteronomy 27-30. Jesus freed/saved us from the curses in the Mosaic Law…by BECOMING IT. He took on the curse—so that we would never face it…but only face the blessings. I want you to take that in. Galatians 3:19-25 also shares that we are not under the Mosaic Law.
o Process the implications of this: In Christ—there are no curses or wrath from God when we sin! Jesus took that. We now receive the blessings of obedience.
o But does God discipline His Children? Read Hebrews 12:5-13. Is this discipline or punishment? Is the context of this passage for growth or for crushing? BTW, this passage is also not talking about discipline for sin…but trials for training up.
o Read Romans 8:1—there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Do you believe that God is never angry, disappointed, or punishing you?
Covenants: Our Promise Keeping God | The Abrahamic Covenant
Pastor Chris Meade | Genesis 12 and 15 | April 21, 2024
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. On Sunday, Pastor Chris shared, “TRUST COSTS”. Think of the faith that Noah (Gen 6-9) and Abram (Gen 12) for them to do what they did. No doubt they stood out from those around them. How is this similar to the faith Jesus has called us to? Read—Luke 14:25-35 as Jesus discusses the cost of discipleship. How does this challenge our view of following Jesus? How have you faced the cost of following Jesus? Read Matthew 19:29-30. Jesus makes a promise to those who face loss for His sake. How does this promise encourage you as you face loss for Jesus’ sake?
3. Read Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11:8; Romans 4:1-17; Galatians 3:1-14; Ephesian 2:8-9
Genesis 15:6 is the first time in Scripture it is clearly laid out that righteousness is accredited through faith. But Genesis 15:6 was not the first time Abram trusted God (Hebrews 11:8). So Genesis 15:6 stands as a summary statement. What do these passages teach our righteousness? Where does it come from?
4. Read Romans 4:18-25. Pastor Chris talked on Sunday of not just believing in the PROMISE, but the PROMISE KEEPER—that God is powerful and able to fulfill His promises—and that God is good and loves so that He will keep His promises.
What do you find are the greatest challenges to believing/trusting in the promises of God? (Ex. Don’t know what God promises… Don’t believe God is truly able… Don’t believe God is good… Don’t believe God cares… I believe He can, but He won’t… I add in my own promises that aren’t in Scripture… I simply forget God’s promises…). This might take some time and prayer to truly answer.
Keeping God’s promises in the forefront of our lives, knowing that He will keep them shapes how we act and live. It caused Abram to stand out and to leave everything. It caused Abram to trust when things seemed impossible (even imperfectly). How have the promises of God truly shaped how you live? How has it shaped your perspective on life? Family? Success? The world?