Text: Phil 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Introduction
I want to talk to you today about our covenant standing with God through Christ. I will be using some illustrations from the Old Testament. These people who are outlined in these illustrations were covenant people of God under the Old Covenant. They obtained the promises of God under the Old Covenant.
According to Heb 8:6, we have a better covenant with a better mediator—Jesus Christ. If God has done it for one under the Old Covenant—how much more shall He do it for us under the New Covenant through Jesus Christ!
Heb 8:6 “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”
These are life and death situations—very adverse circumstances –
Illustration 1: 1 Sam 30:1-6 & 18 David at Ziklag
1. On a mission with his men fighting the enemies of the King
2. Returns on the 3rd day to his home to find it burned down and all their wives and families taken captive.
3. The people, crying out loud in great distress and grief, wanted to stone David.
4. David turned his back on the problem, looking only to the Lord, strengthened himself in the Lord.
5. David recovered not only all that was theirs but all that was of the enemy’s.
6. David divided the spoil amongst those who went into battle with him and with those who stayed behind with the stuff.
Illustration 2: 2 Kings 20:1-7 Hezekiah sick and near death
1. He was a good king of Judah following in the example of King David.
2. King Hezekiah became sick and near death.
3. The Lord sent the Prophet Isaiah to warn him that he needed to get his house in order for he shall die and not live.
4. King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed.
5. The Lord heard his prayers, healed him and added 15 years to his life.
Illustration 3: 2 Kings 4:8-37 and 8:1-6 The Great Woman
1. She supported the ministry—she recognized Elisha as a man of God. She recognized the anointing upon him as a prophet. In the Old Testament, God placed the anointing on three types of people – The King, the Priest and the Prophet. So, she laid hold of the anointing. She fed him whenever he passed by and also furnished a room for him to stay.
2. She believed the Word of God—she received faith from the word the man of God spoke and believed for the promised son.
3. She shut the door on her problems—by her confession “It is well.” She did not change her confession in spite of adverse conditions – thoughts may have come to her mind, but not out of her mouth.
4. She returned to the “Word”—to the anointing, and laid the problem on the promise. She exercised all the faith and the spiritual maturity she had. She recognized Elisha as a man of God prior to receiving her miracle of the birth of a son and again prior to receiving the miracle of receiving her son from the dead.
5. She received restoration—not only did God restore her son to life, but protected her from a famine, then restored her land and fortune and brought her before the king and other great men.
Jesus says:
Heb 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Heb 8:6
“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”
Matt 11:28-12:1
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
James 4:6-8
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. “
John 14:27-28
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Heb 13:5-6
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
Matt 28:20
“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
