"The gospel declares that man's hope is not to be found in evolution but in revolution - revolution that is inward and spiritual." - from "The Radical Christian" by Arthur Wallis
A healthy New Covenant understanding is a good thing. But the big challenge is walking it out. In this final installment in the series, Steve Crosby goes into the "Practical applications of New Covenant Living".
We learn that we are now empowered to live well and love well. And this is the foundation on which real Christian community and mission can take place.
Here's the final part of the series, "How New is the New Covenant?"
In discussing our spiritual journey with a friend the other day, I spoke something that was a revelation to me as I uttered the words. I declared that when we made a step of faith 4 years ago, we thought we knew what God was up to. We now know he had other plans. The bottom line is, I now realize that God is the Lord of my journey. And where I am today is not merely the product of my own spiritual management of my walk. If that were the case, who is really God?
Further developing this kingdom value, Steve Crosby zooms in on definitions of words we may have heard many times before, like Grace and Truth. Now you will hear more about them from a relational paradigm.
AN ADVISORY: Due to a change of order in the messages delivered, last week's post was mislabeled. You can hear the newest unreleased segment at this link.
The foundation of New Covenant Life is found in the knowledge of God. But what is that? Is it merely an intellectual collection of information about God?
In his usual style, Dr. Steve Crosby drives home the reason for our full heads and empty hearts in the modern church. But he doesn't leave us there. We learn how to experience the reality of eternal life, the life Jesus purchased for us on the cross.
In the 3rd session, Dr. Steve Crosby already defined sin as relational alienation.
Now he tackles righteousness from a relational persepctive.
Very often people describe righteousness merely in behavioral terms or in the context of ethical issues. So is there a way to increase our righteousness? What really happened in the New Covenant? If sin is relational alienation, what is the remedy? These are some of the issues Steve deals with in part 4 of his series.
What is sin? This age old question has been the subject (even an obsession) for so many discussions, bible studies and sermons. But what is at the root?
In recent years I have come to a profound transformation in this area by a shift from a forensic perspective to a relational one. The result is gloriously liberating and empowering for God's people when we reject years of faulty tradition that have produced bad fruit and embrace our Heavenly Father and His Word. God really is for us. He is not merely a cosmic Prosecutor or even Judge, keeping score so he can whack us when we sin.
In this 3rd part of Steve Crosby's series, "How New is the New Covenant?", he even takes on issues of how we view knowledge, truth, morality, and even worship in a kingdom context.
Let the spirit of God refresh your heart and mind as you listen to this liberating message.
Do you ever wonder why so often we fail to truly reflect the image of our Heavenly Father? Dr. Steve Crosby addresses that and other questions in part 2 of his series.
We learn that our understanding of Him (or misunderstanding) is ultimately what we end up reflecting to others.
The key to the new covenant is understanding true faith. It is not just believing a set of doctrines, but RELATIONAL TRUST. This has been a transformational value in my life.
You will also appreciate Steve's sharing about God's provision for Covenantal living.
Here is part 2 of the series, How New is the New Covenant?
We are approaching the 3 year mark in our life outside the institutional church system. And if there is one thing I am convinced of, it is this: too many people in this "movement" are more aware of what they have left than where they are going.
Irrespective of where and how people "worship" I believe the measure of our flourishing in Jesus is directly related to the measure of apostolic/prophetic foundations in our lives. (Ephesians 2:20) And I am increasingly burdened by the reality that for many, these foundations have really never been established.
At the heart of this is the gospel of the Kingdom. I believe too many "believers" are familiar with a gospel that is, in reality, profoundly incomplete. I speak from my own experience. What I thought was the gospel was really a shadow of the gospel Paul proclaimed as "the power of God unto salvation". (Romans 1:16)
I stand in awe today with a profoundly more complete picture of the Gospel. Yes, I left an institution 4 years ago that was so "cross" focused that resurrection life was essentially smothered. But more importantly, by God's grace, He has placed us in a growing family in this city that includes foundation building gifts to the body: apostles and prophets who are passionate about the New Covenant. One of those gifts is Dr. Steve Crosby.
I rejoice in the deposit the Lord has given Steve. And I see the ongoing impartation of the Kingdom values he shares and walks out with God's people from day to day. Recently Steve started delivering a series of messages in Hickory, NC, How "New" is the New Covenant? I sensed very strongly the Lord's desire to widely broadcast what he is communicating, so I will post these messages here over the next few weeks.
The first is an Introduction.
Since my teens I have believed that too much of today's expression of "church" is more like the Old Testament than the New. There is a good reason for that: we really don't get that new means NEW!
That is a good starting place to take in Steve's first message from New Covenant Sessions. As always, we welcome your comments.
