Abundant Grace Fellowship
New Covenant Ministry Parts 1 - 6
New Covenant Ministry, Part 1
By Pastor J.D. Link
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2Co 5:17-21 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Today, we will be discussing New Testament ministry. I use the term N.T. ministry, to differentiate it from Old Testament ministry. Often times, N. T. Christians still relate to God with an O. T. mentality; they pray O. T. prayers; they live under an O. T. law-works relationship with God; and they minister like an O. T. saint. They may know in their head that they are in the New Covenant, but it doesn’t translate into anything they do. This should not be. We have a better covenant based on better promises (Heb 8:6). We need to walk according to the newness of the spirit, not the oldness of the letter (2Cor 3:6).
We often think that God is holding out on us, and we will beg and plead to try and make Him answer our prayer. However, in Rom 8:32, it says if God did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all - how shall He not freely give us all things? In Eph 1:3, it says we have been blessed (past tense) with all spiritual blessings. We must know that we have been reconciled to God. Reconcile means peace being made between enemies. Notice in 2Cor 5:19, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself; and He has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation. Listening to a lot of Christians, one might think that verse actually reads, “God was in Christ, judging and condemning the world - and has given to Christians the ministry of judgment and condemnation.” Jesus was judged and condemned for us.
God has made peace with mankind. He has reconciled the world unto Himself. I know that sounds totally radical to a lot of people, but look at the following Scriptures for clarity (Rom 5:10, Col 1:20, Eph 2:17-18, Lk 10:5, Act 10:36, Isa 52:7, 57:19, 1Jn 2:2, 4:14, Jn 1:29). There are other Scriptures as well, but unfortunately, I do not have the space to expound. Yet, even in these Scriptures alone, it is clear that God reconciled the whole world to himself by Jesus Christ. God is not at war with man - He has made peace through Jesus Christ. In Luke 2:14, when Jesus came to earth as a man, the angels said, “Glory to God in the highest - peace and goodwill toward men!” Peace and goodwill from God to man - not judgment and condemnation.
Some people may think by now I believe the whole world is automatically saved; that is a false doctrine called “ultimate reconciliation”. No, that’s not what I’m saying. God has reconciled Himself to man - but not all men have reconciled themselves to God. You must receive the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. If you want to walk in the joy and benefits of God’s grace, then you must put on Jesus Christ. However, the whole world is potentially saved. In other words, Jesus only died once on the cross for all sins for all mankind forever (Heb 10). He doesn’t go to the cross every time someone repents. He went once for everyone. Yet, it will not profit you, if you do not reach out by faith and receive God’s grace. You must repent and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
We must understand that sins are not a barrier between us and God anymore - they have been paid in full (Isa 43:25, 44:22, Rom 4:6-8, Mic 7:18-19, Psa 103:11-12). Now, we shouldn’t want to live in sin because: 1. It isn’t our nature anymore 2. A guilty conscience will hinder our fellowship with our Father 3. It opens up a door for Satan to wreak havoc in our life. However, sin has been dealt with as far as God is concerned. This is the Christians ministry - the ministry of reconciliation. Ambassadors do and say what their nation tells them to do and say. Jesus told us what to do and say (Jn 20:21).
What about judgment? There will be a day of judgment, but it’s not now. Today is the day of salvation (2Cor 6:2). Do you want to know what day we are in? Carefully read Isa 61:1-2, then Luke 4:17-21.
Can you tell me what is missing? When you figure it out, you will know what day we are in. Be careful about what you say is God’s judgment - He doesn’t appreciate false statements against Him (Job 42). Don’t attribute to God, what you know nothing about - especially when something happens that affects both righteous and wicked. Read these Scriptures, and stop calling every hurricane and burning building the judgment of God (Gen 7:1, 18:23-25, Ex 7-12, Lk 13:1-5). I have much more to say on this, but I pray this at least got some people thinking about N. T. ministry. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!
New Covenant Ministry, Pt 2
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
We saw in 2Cor 5:17-21, that God has already reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus; and that we, as ambassadors for Christ, have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Unfortunately, many Christians are often proclaiming that God is judging this or that (with no proof, I might add), and basically attributing every evil sickness or disaster to God. In fact, often times, spontaneous, horrific disasters are called, “Acts of God”. The word Gospel literally means almost to good to be true news. It’s the news that Jesus has taken the world’s sin upon Himself and paid the price for them; and that if any person will accept the sacrifice and the person of Jesus, then God will count them righteous. Chuck Swindoll once wrote, “Justification is the Divine act, where God declares a person righteous through their faith, although they are still in a sinning state.” This is the good news. This is the Gospel. It’s not by works - it’s by faith in Jesus (Titus 3:5, Eph 2:8-9). Sin has been judged - On a Roman cross, 2,000 years ago.
God’s Word clearly shows that Jesus was already judged for sin. Here are just a few Scriptures that prove this: Isa 53:3-6, 1Jn 4:10, Rom 8:3-4, Gal 3:13-14, 1Pt 3:18, 1Jn 3:5, Heb 2:9, 1Tim 2:6, Jn 9:39. Let’s also look at Jn 12:31-33, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” It is interesting, that the word “men” was added by the translators. The context from vs. 31 is judgment. While it is true that through the cross Jesus would draw all men (1Tim 2:3-4) to Himself - in actual context, He is saying He would draw all judgment unto Himself.
So am I saying that Christ-rejecting man will never be judged? Of course he will be judged. However, there is an appointed day. Don’t worry, NO ONE gets away with ANYTHING. ALL things will be brought into the spotlight one day - Judgment Day. It has been appointed (Act 17:31). There are many references to it: 1Cor 3-5, 2Tim 4:1, Rev 19:11, Mat 12:36, Rom 2:5, Heb 6:2, 9:27, 2Pt 2:9, 3:7, 1Jn 4:17, Jud 6, Jn 12:48, Rom 2:16. If you are truly saved through faith in Jesus, you have nothing to fear on judgment day (1Jn 4:17). If you have not made Jesus Lord of your life - you may want to do that ASAP (Heb 10:26-31). As Mr. T used to say, “I pity the fool”. Indeed, you are a fool to be pitied - if you have rejected the Son of Almighty God (Prov 26:12)
We need to be declaring why Jesus came to this world. It was not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them (Luk 9:56, Mat 18:11, Lk 19:10, Jn 3:17, 1Tim 1:15, Jn 12:47). God loves people. Jesus loves people. We need to love people, and stop telling them that God is behind every bad thing that happens in the world, or in their life. We are living in the church age, or the “age of grace”. Today is the day of salvation (2Cor 6:2). God has already done everything through Christ for you to be in right standing with Him, short of just making you get saved - but He won’t make you. You have a choice - a free will. Take it or leave it - but know it is available to you.
Some would disagree with me and point to 1Pt 4:17 to prove that God is judging His people for sin. I agree that God is judging His people; but it’s not for sin. In 1Pt 4, the context of the chapter has to do with persecution. Persecution is not from God; it’s from Satan who hates Christians and would like to see the entire
Lord willing, we will continue this subject next week. Until then, rejoice in The Lord! (Phip 4:4)
New Covenant Ministry, Pt 3
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
Let us now continue our subject from last week. We have been speaking of New Covenant ministry, which is clearly different on many points than Old Covenant ministry. We saw through Scripture that it was Jesus who was judged for the sins of the world, and that the judgment of Christ-rejecting man will come on the appointed day - but that is not today. Today, our ministry is the ministry of reconciliation (2Cor 5:18). Since we have been specifically speaking of judgment, I think we should proceed down this line for a while.
Who did Jesus judge? He obviously didn’t come to judge mankind (Jn 12:47-48), so who did he come to judge? Let’s read Jn 16:7-11: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. Jesus came to judge Satan - and judge him, He did. He came to destroy the devil (Heb 2:14) and his works (1Jn 3:8); to make a show of him openly (
Many Christians run around attributing all of this power and might to the devil, when he is a defeated foe! Jesus already took the keys of Hell and death (Rev 1:18)! That’s why Paul warns against the “tricks” of the devil (Eph 6:11)! That’s all he has are tricks! He has no real authority ever since the resurrection. That’s why he must walk about seeking whom he MAY devour (1Pt 5:8)! He can’t devour someone who knows their God-given authority in Christ! Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1Jn 4:4)! Satan has as much or as little power over you as you allow him to have. If Jesus is your Lord (Master), then satan is not; but if you believe he has all of this power over you - then he will. As a man thinks in his heart, so he is (Prv 23:7). If you yield to satan, he’ll be glad to walk all over you. And he loves it when Christians have more faith in his power than they do in their Father’s power. We need to understand what Jesus did on that cross.
Also in John 16, notice the sin that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of: that they don’t believe in Jesus! That is the sin unto death. That is the unpardonable sin. Every sin in the world was laid on Jesus Christ on the cross - so there is no sin that you or I have committed that can’t be forgiven. They have all been paid for. So the only sin that cannot and will not be forgiven, is the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ, and the great salvation that He has attained for us (Heb 2:1-3, 10:26-39). God gave us His best. If you lay it aside, there is nothing left for you - the choice is yours.
“Wait a minute, preacher- God did judge Believers in the New Testament. Don’t you remember Ananias and Sapphira? Or Paul’s thorn in the flesh?” Concerning Ananias and Sapphira (Act 5:1-10): 1. The Bible never says they were Believers 2. The Bible never says they were judged by God. Both opinions are speculation. I’m not saying they are wrong; I’m just saying it’s speculation. Hardly enough to build a case on. Concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh: 1. It wasn’t from God - period; much less judgment from God. 2. It was given because of his abundance of revelations. Why would God give Paul abundant revelations, then turn around and give him a thorn because he had so many revelations? That’s stupid. That’s a kingdom divided against itself - which Jesus said would not stand. So what was the thorn? Well, you could speculate it was sickness or disease - or you could go to The Word of God and find out. Paul was a Pharisee, who knew the Jewish Tenach (Old Test.). The expression “Thorn in the Flesh” is used three times in the OT (Num 33:55, Josh 23:13, Judg 2:3). Paul would naturally use an OT expression. All three times it is used to describe persecution from neighboring tribes that the Hebrews did not drive out like they were told by God to do. Thorn in the flesh = persecution. And we see the Apostle Paul had a special brand of persecution assigned just for him by Satan, which is described in 2Cor 11:23-30. Also, God did not say “No!” to his request. He told him that His grace was sufficient for him. He would make it through by God’s grace and power! He would overcome and persevere! Don’t worry Paul, If I am for you - who can be against you?! We are not promised freedom from persecution; in fact, it’s the opposite (2Tim 3:12)!
That is all my space for now. Lord willing, we can continue this next week. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord! (Phip 4:4)
New Covenant Ministry, Pt 4
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 1Co 6:1-2 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Much confusion exist in the Body of Christ about judgment. Like the above Scriptures, there appears to be a contradiction. Are we supposed to judge people or not? First we’re told not to judge, then we’re told we’re going to judge the whole world, so why can’t we judge these small matters? Which is it? Well, both are right; and you will understand the difference by the end of this series. Let’s get into God’s Word.
If we look at the context of Matthew Chap. 7, we see Jesus is talking about what has been labeled “The Golden Rule” (Lk 6:31). When He says not to judge, He is talking about hypocrisy. He is saying, “Don’t judge other people by one standard, and yourself by another.” This is clear by the following verses, which ask why your trying to pick a speck of dust out of your brothers eye, while you have a big ole’ cedar post sticking out of your own.
We are not to be judge, jury, and executioner over others. We are not to criticize and condemn, and assume we know the why’s of people’s choices. Only God sees the heart - not us (1Sam 16:7). We are to be merciful, if we want mercy (Jam 2:12-13). We are not to judge our brother - that is The Lord’s job (Jam 4:11-12). So am I saying we should never judge? No, that’s not what I’m saying. Let’s keep going.
Some people love to use the above Scriptures to say that if you speak out against the evils of abortion, homosexuality, pedophilia, lying, drunkenness, etc. - that you are being “judgmental”. They love to quote Matthew 7:1. The ungodly especially know that verse in The Bible. However, they don’t bother to read the next several verses. In vs. 5, it clearly states that once you have addressed the issue in your life, then you are able to help your brother with his problem. So, isn’t that judging that your brother does have a problem? Of course it is. It just means that you don’t need to judge your brother concerning his filthy movies, until you get your filthy magazines out from under your bed and deposited in the burn barrel.
Also in vs. 6, it says not to cast your pearls and holy things (God’s Word) before dogs and pigs. Doesn’t this mean you’ve judged that spiritually someone is a dog or pig, and therefore your not going to waste your time, energy, and words on them? Haven’t you made a judgment? Of course you have. You see, we are to judge what is right (Lk 12:57). We are to judge righteous judgment (Jn 7:24). We are to judge what is good and holy and just and righteous according to God’s Word and standard.
For instance, if you stole my wallet, then I can judge according to God’s Word that that is a sinful action, and unacceptable to God (Ex 20:15, Eph 4:28). However, I am not to judge your motive or heart; nor am I to judge whether or not you’re saved. I should also not have the attitude of wanting to lock you up and throw away the key - although just restitution should be made. Why? Because I am to do unto others as I would have them do to me. I would want mercy and forgiveness. I would not want to be labeled a thief the rest of my life. I would want a chance to make things right. So I should give what I want, though it may be hard. Of course, as stated before, there are dogs and pigs out there - and some may have crossed the line by taking advantage of people’s mercy time and time again. They will reap what they sow.
Next week we are going to look in depth at proper judgment inside the church. Judgment of our brothers and sister’s in Christ, as well as church discipline. It will be an eye-opening article, and you don’t want to miss it. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord! (Phip 4:4)
New Covenant Ministry, Pt 5
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
Last week we started to look at the different forms of judging. We learned from Scripture that all judging is not wrong. We should judge what is right (Lk 12:57, Jn 7:24). We can and should judge in the sense of discerning between right and wrong. We saw last week that when the Bible tells us not to judge, that it is speaking in a hypocritical way. In other words, don’t judge people by one standard, and yourself by another. We are to judge others in the same way we would want to be judged. This week we will look into judgment inside the church. While church discipline is rarely talked about or exercised anymore (mainly because you can just go down the street); it is still a Biblical subject and should be understood and practiced.
There are four things I would like us to point out in church discipline: 1. What things are we to judge and confront. 2. What things are we not to judge and confront on. 3. What attitude should we have in judging or confronting. 4. What is our purpose in judging and confronting. Let’s start with number four, and work our way backward.
Our purpose for judging and confronting a sin issue is not to embarrass, condemn, hurt, humiliate or destroy our Brother or Sister in Christ. The purpose in exposing the sin should be to save that person’s life - and possibly soul - from destruction. We see this clearly in 1Cor5:5, as well as James 5:19-20. As we see laid out in Mt 18:15-17, we should always go to the person in private first; if not resolved, take two or three witnesses; and only after every effort at privately trying to help the person has failed, then it needs to go before the church. Biblical correction is good, Godly, and necessary - and should be accepted with gladness and humility.
Our attitude in correcting should be humble. We should do it with fear and trembling. We should do it with sincere love for our brother or sister. Again, we’re not out to destroy - that’s satan’s business. We are out to heal, free, & restore. The church is a family. If the father of a family just ignored every problem and never corrected it - his family would not function properly at best, or be destroyed at worst. A responsible father deals with issues. However, a good father also doesn’t nit-pick and try to look for a problem in every single circumstance. There is a proper balance, which brings us to number two.
What things are we not to judge? Well, a few of them are listed in Col 2:16. It says “Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Also see Romans 14. These Christians going around saying you can’t eat this or that: they’re preaching doctrines of devils (1Tim 4:1-4). All things are lawful to eat, if taken in moderation. Excess is gluttony, and that is a sin. Here is a radical statement for you: drinking is not a sin, either. Excess drinking is drunkenness, and that is a sin. What days or holidays we celebrate or don’t celebrate is also between us and God. We will all (true believers) stand before the Judgment seat of Christ and give account of ourselves (Rom 14:10-12), so we don’t need to be judging each other in these things. And, as we talked about last week, we don’t judge hearts or motives, either. So what do we judge?
Do we just kick everybody out of church who is dealing with a sin listed in 1Cor 5:9-11, 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-20, Eph 5:3-6? No, that’s not what God would have us do. Christians have some spots and wrinkles. People need to be in church so they can hear what is acceptable to God and what isn’t; as well as learn who they are in Christ Jesus, and how to overcome. Of course we should walk in holiness (1Pt 1:16, 2Pt 3:11), but there are no perfect saints in the flesh (Rom 7:18). The problem in
New Covenant Ministry, Pt 6
By Pastor J.D. Link
This week will be our final week in this lesson on New Covenant ministry. While the subject is inexhaustible, I pray that what was covered was beneficial to you, and that you will be able to put it into practice in your own life. There are major differences between the Old and New Testaments, and we must understand them in order to relate to God - and to people - properly. In this final lesson, we look into the subject of prayer.
Mat 6:5-8 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Notice first that hypocrites love to pray. Don’t think your praying makes you holy - the Pharisees were great “Pray-ers”. So many Christians just pray for show or religious duty. Don’t waste your breath - God obviously doesn’t want to hear our vain babbling. Many Christians repeat the same prayer over and over like some kind of magical chant. They think the longer you pray, or the louder, the more likely God is to hear you. Read The Word of God! Jesus said “DO NOT PRAY LIKE THE HEATHENS!” Many Christians do exactly what Jesus said not to do. They pray like the prophets of Baal (1Kings 18:25-29)!
So how should we pray? We should pray to The Father - not anybody or anything else. We pray to The Father, In The Name of Jesus (Jn 14:13-14, 15:16, 16:23-24). However, before we pray for anything, we need to reflect on what has been given unto us already. Often times we act as if God CAN do anything - but He HAS done nothing. This is a terrible mistake. We do not often know what we already have. Many Scriptures speak of what we already have in Christ Jesus. We’re already blessed (Eph 1:3); we’ve already been given all things (2Pt 1:3, 1Cor 3:21-23); All things have been given freely already (Rom 8:31-32, 1Cor 2:12-16); We need to have understanding of what we have and of who we are in Jesus Christ (Eph 1:18-20, 3:20-21).
Often times what we call prayer is actually whining and begging God for things He’s already given. I believe the overwhelming majority of our prayers should be thanksgivings to God! If most of your prayer life is asking God for stuff, then you are missing the boat. Our prayers of petition should take very little time. Most of our time should be praising God! Praise The Lord God Almighty for He is worthy!
Many times we sit back and blame God for our lack of revival; for our lack of passion; for our sorry behavior. “God, send revival! God, stir me up! God, make me be good!” What else do you want? I sent My Son to die for you and pay for your sins and give you eternal life! I sent My Holy Spirit to live inside of you and lead you and teach you and give you power! I gave you My written Word to guide you and give you wisdom, understanding, and knowledge! YOU get stirred up! YOU get revived! YOU get passionate about your God! YOU read My Word! YOU obey it’s teachings! (2Tim 1:6, 1Sam 30:6, Jud 1:20, Rev 2:4-5). This lukewarm, indifferent, spiritual welfare attitude in the Church makes Jesus want to puke (Rev 3:16)!
Get into God’s Word and start finding out what He’s already done for you and start speaking it out of your mouth and believing it in your heart and start living like you’re a child of The King of the universe! You are more than a conqueror! You are always caused to triumph! You are always victorious in Christ Jesus! You are a world over comer! (Rom 10:9-10, Mk 11:22-24, Rom 8:37, 2Cor 2:14, 1Cor 15:57, 1Jn 5:4-5) Now, live like it!
May the remainder of your summer be blessed, healthy, and prosperous in Jesus. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!