Recently I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Andrew Farley at the Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix,AZ. It was a Sunday, I actually felt like staying home and just relaxing for it had been a really long week. But the Spirit whispered to me that I needed to go to Open Door Fellowship. I am truly glad I did. My wife and I got to hear the best sermon I have ever heard on the the message of the New Covenant. What’s the New Covenant you ask? Well basically in a nutshell it’s: Jesus+Nothing=Everything! It goes in the face of the “do more, be more” gospel that I grew up with. Like Andrew, I never felt adequate or good enough. I never felt like I was doing enough for God, Not serving enough; not praying enough…..not reading my bible or having quiet time enough. In 1998…..enough was enough. It was a year that I almost left my faith and my family all in the same year. I was buried by the “soul quenching” legalistic views that I had been brought up with. The list that went on and on about what it was like to be a “good Christian” while watching other “good Christians” around me with absolutely no joy or happiness in their lives! I threw my hands up to God and said, “if this is all there is to Christianity, I don’t want any part of it!!” The Holy Spirit spoke to me……I knew deep down inside there was SO much more. I was simply in the wrong environment to find it. I will share more of this journey at a later time. For now, however, I wanted to share with you what Andrew has to say. Andrew uses the book of Hebrews to show us that Jesus came to fulfill the law and that we are not bound by the Jewish law. The law shows us the dirt on our face and ultimately our need for Jesus Christ! It’s the law of loving others as Jesus so amazing love us. Titus 2:11-12 says this:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
Wait a minute, you mean I can listen to the spirit and not to a list?
In my world growing up, this was deemed as too easy. There must be something more to salvation. I grew up with the law! It wasn’t until years later that I realized like Andrew, that the law kills but the Spirit gives life! Please take some time and watch Andrew’s message on the New Covenant. Take notes….look up the scripture passages and come to your own conclusion. Let the Spirit that indwells you be your guide! What an amazing journey.
Jesus +Nothing: The Message of The New Covenant
