Blood Covenant - Part 6 — Bob Phillips

Nehemiah chapter 9 verse 6 alone art the Lord. Nehemiah 9 verse 6. Thou alone art the Lord and thou hast made the heaven. The heaven of heavens with all their host. The earth and all that is on it. The sea and all that's in them.

Thou dost give life to all of them and the heavenly host bows down before thee. Thou art the Lord God. Who shows who to be seen? Abram. He chose Abram and Brought him out of her of the Chaldees and gave him the name one.

Abraham now notice this. And thou did find his heart Faithful before thee and did make a covenant with him now. Let me ask you how was God able to make covenant with Abraham because he found his heart Faithful.

Abraham’s Faithful Heart and the Covenant

He was tested and his heart proved to be faithful to God. He proved that he desired God's will more than he desired the will of himself. Are you are you with me? All right now. Now we've got a problem.

You see God really did want this covenant of Abraham to be the way he deals with his people. Have you seen that it's not that what we've seen. Is that what he's dealing with us today on. You believe God and he accounts it to his righteousness.

Israel’s Deliverance from Bondage Through the Covenant

Turn with you to Exodus chapter 2 and we're going to see how the children of Israel got out of bondage. Exodus chapter 2. Let's see how the children of Israel got out of bondage. Exodus chapter 2. Exodus chapter 2 now remember this you're going to see something very interesting.

I've been saying that God always wanted to deal with his people the same way he dealt with Abraham. How did he deal with Abraham? He walked through the covenant on Abraham's behalf, is that right? He didn't do it on the basis of deeds of righteousness that Abraham is performed.

He never has wanted to deal with his people on the deeds of bait on basis of deeds of righteousness. What they do, but he did want Abraham's heart to be faithful to him to obey him when he spoke. Is that what we've seen.

And Abraham proved himself faithful in that covenant. He had a faithful heart. Is that right now? Notice it the children of Israel are in bondage. A king arose that knew not Joseph. A Pharaoh arose that knew not Joseph and he put them in slavery and they're in bondage and Notice how they got out of bondage in Exodus chapter 2 verse 23.

Verse 23 now it came about in the course of those Many days that the king of Egypt died and the sons of Israel Had because of the bondage and they cried out and their cry for help because of their bondage.

Rose up to God. So God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. How many of you see that? The way they got out of bondage was they cried out to God and God remembered that they were part of the Descendants of Abraham and God came as a covenant-keeping God and he met them right where they were and he delivered them out of their bondage.

Let me ask you something. Did they do anything special to get God to do that? All they did was cry out to him in their heart and say God. What did they let me ask you a question what they have to offer God?

Nothing, what do you have to offer? Nothing but they cried out to God because of their bondage and God heard them and he delivered them. Why. Because they were just extra good people. No, because of his covenant with Abraham that was passed on to Isaac and confirmed through Jacob.

Abraham said God how am I gonna know I'm gonna possess this thing? He said on the basis of covenant and God throughout the century performed it on the basis of covenant. You know how you are in Christ Jesus on the basis of covenant.

And notice this God Apparently wants to deal with these people the same way that he did today. Does it appear to be that way? Turn back to Nehemiah 9. I should have had you hold it the turn back to Nehemiah 9.

I Just thought you'd use the practice finding Nehemiah 9 most people make a mistake and when they start looking for Nehemiah They look over around Amos and Hosea and Zachariah sounds like it belongs over there.

God’s Covenant Faithfulness in Nehemiah 9

Doesn't it? Nehemiah chapter 9 verse 9. I Want you to see that God intended to make this covenant with the children of Israel on the basis on the basis of somebody That would come to him with a whole heart.

Are you with me? That's the way he wanted to do it. Is that the way he did it with Abraham? That's the way he wanted to deal with them. But now notice something verse 9. Thou deceived the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and didst hear their cry by the Red Sea.

And what did he do when he heard their cry? He remembered this covenant with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Then thou didst perform signs and wonders against Pharaoh Against all his servants and all the people of his land for thou didst know that they acted arrogantly toward them.

How did they act toward God? Or how they worked toward to his people. They acted arrogant. Excuse me toward his people and thou didst make a name for thyself as it is to this day and thou didst know look at What he did for them.

Thou didst divide the sea before them. So they passed through the midst of the sea on dry land and their pursuers thou didst hurl into the depths. Have I been saying to you all week that when you come to God with a whole heart and cry out to him that his enemies Become your enemies and he fights your battle for you.

Is that what he did? It says Thou didst divide the sea before they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground their pursuers. Thou didst hurl into the depths like a stone in the raging water. Just cast them in like a stone and with a pillar of clouds thou didst lead them by day and with a pillar of fire by night.

To light for them the way in which they were to go. Then thou didst come down on Mount Sinai and did speak with them from heaven and thou didst give them just Ordinances and true laws good statutes and commandments.

Isn't that interesting? I always thought the law was bad. Says to me that what gave God gave them was just ordinances true laws good statutes and commandments. Verse 14. So thou didst make known to them thy holy sabbath.

Thou didst lay down for them Commandments statutes and law through thy servant Moses servant Moses. Thou didst provide bread from heaven for them for their hunger. Thou didst bring forth water from a rock for them for their thirst and thou didst tell them to enter in order to possess the Land which thou didst swear to give them sound like God's been pretty good to them, isn't it?

You know why he's doing all that on the basis of covenants. Now notice this. Verse 16 how do they respond? But they our fathers. Acted arrogantly. They acted stiffly. Probably the King James. I believe says they pardoned them in and verse 17.

They became stubborn would not listen to that commandments and they refused to listen. And they did not remember that wondrous deeds which thou has performed among them. So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt, but thou art a God of forgiveness.

Gracious and compassionate slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness and thou didst not forsake them. Did he write him off? No, I didn't write him off. Even when they made for themselves a calf of molten metal and said this is your God who brought you up from Egypt and committed great blasphemies.

Thou in thy great compassion didst not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day to guide them on their way nor the pillar of fire by night to light for Them the way in which they were to go and thou didst give thy good spirit to instruct them by manna.

God’s Law, Mercy, and Israel’s Rebellion

Thou didst not withhold from their mouth and thou didst give them water for their thirst. Turn with me to Psalm 78. Sounds to me like God's a God of mercy. I say sounds to me like God's a God of mercy.

Psalm 78. Psalm 78 verse 5. Psalm 78 verse 5. For he established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel. Which he commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children. That the generation to come might know even the children yet to be born.

That they may arise and tell them to their children that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God. But do what are they supposed to do? Keep his commandments. Does that sort of sound like what he told Abraham?

Alright, you notice remember all God wants is their heart. God wants their heart and he wants them to keep his commandments to obey him. Now notice this verse 8 and not be like their fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation.

A Generation that did not prepare its heart or set right or put right its work. Its heart. How many of you see that verse 8? Did they prepare their heart. Did they set their heart aright and Whose spirit was not steadfast or faithful to God.

Now, how many of you see that now Abraham? What was the reason God made covenant with him because he found his heart faithful and he was steadfast to God. God wanted to deal with him just like he dealt with over him just like he wants to deal with us.

Believe God it's a counter to his righteousness. Not on the works that you've done, but he gives you a heart to obey him and he wants you to walk in faithfulness. Are you. Look what happened first thing they did not keep the covenant of God.

Is that what your Bible says? First hint they did not keep the covenant of God and refused to walk in his law or his word. And they forgot his deeds and his miracles that he'd shown them. He wrought wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt in the land of Zoan.

He divided the sea and caused them to pass through and he made the waters stand up like a heap. Then he led them with the cloud by day and all the night with the light of fire. He split the rocks in the wilderness.

He gave them abundant drink like the ocean deaths. He brought forth streams also from the rock and caused waters to run down like rivers. Yet they still Continued to sin against him to rebel against the Most High in the desert.

And in their hearts. They put God to the test. By asking food according to their desire as King James says by asking me for their own first 21. Therefore the Lord Lord heard and was full of wrath and A fire was kindled against Jacob and all anger also mounted against Israel because they did not believe in God.

They didn't trust in his salvation. Yet he commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven. He rained down manna upon them to eat. He gave them food from heaven. Man did eat the bread of angels.

He sent them food in abundance. He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens and by his power He directed the south wind when he rained meat upon them like dust. He even winged plow like the sands of the sea.

Then he let them fall in the midst of their camp. Roundabout their dwelling so they ate and they were well filled and the desire he gave to them. But before they had satisfied their desire Father food was in their mouths the anger of God rose against them and killed some of their stoutest ones and subdued the choice.

Men of Israel in spite of all this they still sinned but notice something. When it got bad enough, I want you to see what they do. Folks want to say something. God spoke to us about these same children in Corinthians and he said let them be an example.

That you must follow in their footsteps when there's no fear of God before your eyes. This is the path that you came. But when it got bad enough, have you known people like that? Maybe you've been that way.

Maybe you are that way. God still blesses. He still loves you. You can't destroy his love. We talked about that the first night. You can't destroy God's love towards you. There's not a thing you can do to cause God to stop loving you.

You can spit in his eye and you can't make him stop loving you. Are you getting what I'm saying? But may I say something else to you? It's not a good place to be. You know what people do? They use God.

They just live for themselves. Live by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the boastful pride, just doing their own thing. Because things don't seem to be too bad. I've never known an ungodly Religious now of the world.

Yes, but I've not known an ungodly a compromising religious family. Yeah, that didn't run to God when somebody came up with a killing wasting. I've not been to one funeral, not one. I've not been to one funeral.

Except yes one which I preached myself. I've not been to one funeral. But everybody didn't go to heaven. See, when it gets bad enough, when the pressure gets bad enough. People with a divided heart start seeking God.

That's what they did. Verse 34. When he killed them then they sought him and Returned and how did they seek for him? They searched diligently for God and They remembered that God was their rock. May I tell you we're not dealing with the world.

We're dealing with people that were called people of God and they believed that God was their rock and the most high God their Redeemer. But they deceived him with their mouth and lied to him with their tongue.

Christ’s Fulfillment of the Law

For their heart, their heart, their heart, their heart was not Steadfast toward him nor were they faithful in his Covenants. Turn with me to Hebrews chapter 3. Matthew chapter 5. Verse 17. Notice this carefully.

It's very clear. Makes no mistake about it. Doesn't jumble up words. Just real clear. Matthew 5 verse 17. Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I did not come to abolish. But to fulfill.

Is that what he said? Is the law still here? As a matter of fact, it is still here and he tells us how long it'll be here. Truly I say to you until heaven and earth pass away. Not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the law until all is accomplished.

That's how long it's going to be here. You see that? Now notice something. Why was the law given? I didn't read it. But in Galatians chapter 3 verse 23 or 24 it says that it was to be a tutor to lead you to Jesus.

That's all. Because see when they looked at the law, they were to see that they absolutely could not live it. And if they couldn't live it Fear of God would be before their eyes if they saw a holy God and they'd say then I need God and They would have come to a sacrifice and that sacrifice would have pointed to them.

Are you hearing what I'm saying? See Abraham saw something about that because the Word of God. Jesus was speaking to some Pharisees and and he said Before Abraham was I am and they looked at him and they said My goodness you fool.

You're not even 50 years old yet and Jesus said Abraham saw my day and he rejoiced. You know what he saw, you know what he saw he saw a flaming torch and a smoking oven. Go between those pieces and he believed God and it was accounted to him as righteous.

The Law’s Purpose and the Necessity of a Whole-Hearted Faith

But turn with me to 1st Timothy chapter 1. 1st Timothy chapter 1. I said you'll either come to Jesus With a whole heart or he'll deal with you the same way that he dealt with the children of Israel and that is.

Listen to me that is. That you live by the law. But there's a problem today for you. I read it to you last night in Hebrews chapter 10. It says if you go on sinning willfully after receiving a knowledge of the truth, there's no more sacrifice.

And I said to you what that means is simply this that God has provided a sacrifice. His name is Jesus. You either come his way or you don't come and you keep on sinning after knowing the truth. There's no other sacrifice available for you.

The amount of times you've been to church it won't do for sacrifice. The amount of times you've been on putting your knees in prayer read your Bible. It won't do for sacrifice. The amount of times that you've taught Sunday school and preach sermons.

It won't do for sacrifice. The only sacrifice God's got available for you is to come to Jesus and there's only one way to come to him with a whole Faithful true. He wants all of you. Or he will take in.

Are you hearing what I'm saying? But remember what I said last night. When you entered into that relationship with Jesus if you really entered in you gave him your whole heart. But you found out something.

You found out he was holier than you thought he was and as you walk with him the more you found wasn't like you. He just gave him more of your heart. And when you saw your heart conflicting with his will you gave him your heart and it's a walk of salvation.

Not just an experience. Are you hearing what I'm saying? If you keep purifying yourself as he's pure. He's getting your whole heart if you're not if you're like those people who when it gets bad enough.

They ran to him you're living under the law now. That's a bad place to be. Galatians chapter 3 verse 10 says that if you are not obedient in every single point of the law. You're guilty of the whole thing.

You know why. Because there's no other sacrifice for you except Jesus with a whole heart. Are you hearing what I'm saying? I said you're hearing what I'm saying. Here's who the law is for. 1st Timothy chapter 1 verse 5 but the goal of our instruction is Love from what kind of a heart.

A pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men straying from these things what they stray from. They strayed from a pure hearts. How many of you see that they strayed or drifted from a pure heart, but here's what they did.

Have turned aside to fruitless discussion. Bane jangling empty talk they turned aside. They still kept talking God and talking Jesus. But they departed from a pure heart and they developed doctrines as it says in Timothy 6 that they did not.

Conform you to godliness. That encouraged you to walk in the lust desires your own heart be in love with the world being adulterous. Have priorities before God and not believe that he meant that he's to have first place in everything and so.

Wanting to be teachers of the law even though they do not understand either what they're saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully.

Realizing the fact that the law is not made for a righteous man, but now let me ask you a question. John first. John 3 10 or 3 7 he who practices righteousness is Righteous as he is righteous. Robert says whoa to the man who calls the wicked righteous.

You righteous. You walk in obedience to the Lord with a whole heart you practice. Not dividedness. You won't have an idol of buildings. You want you know, I say that building someone so listen to me. Because everywhere I go I Find somebody that's in a church and they come to me and say our pastor is not preaching the truth.

But I just feel like I can't leave and Bessie grew up there. Uncle Joe grew up there. Well, my friend. I want to tell you something something's got your heart. The law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless.

Those who don't come to him with the whole heart. How did you see that if you're lawless and rebellious? Guess what? You're going to be judged by. By the law because it's not been abolished. Just fulfilled in Jesus.

For the ungodly and sinners for the unholy and profane. For those who kill their fathers or murders for mothers for murderers and immoral men and Homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers and whatever else.

Is contrary to sound teaching. What do you think that says? About the man who teaches Sunday school. Who's a deacon who's faithful to church every Sunday. Who's on the building committee? Who's an usher?

The lady who's head of WMU or teaches the women's Bible studies. What do you think? It says to the man who's got a home Bible study every week. What do you think? It says to the man who walks door-to-door witnessing and yet keeps a lust in his eyes.

Greed his heart bitterness and resentment and unforgiveness in his life. Were they walking and they're gonna be so surprised when they stand before a holy God. Expect to be judged by grace. And God says he chose to be rebellious.

You see this you're judged by the law. You didn't keep it. Depart from me. I don't know you turn with me to Galatians chapter 5. Galatians chapter 5 just about finished. Galatians chapter 5. Galatians chapter 5 verse 19.

The Works of the Flesh and the Danger of Unrepentant Sin

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident. Which are immorality impurity sensuality idolatry sorcery enmities strife jealousy outbursts of anger. My friends. I've met so many people that just have common outbursts of anger in their home.

On their job. And they don't even deal with it. It's all right. It's one of those respectable sins. Now if you've got a problem with anger and you've been working against resisting it standing against it.

God's seen your heart and I want to tell you something you can be free tonight. Never to be bothered by it again. The same with lust. Greed. Idolatry, you don't have to work your way there. God will perform a miracle in your life tonight.

You let us pray for you not because we pray, but you just or you pray for yourself. But I'm telling you you'd be free. Are you hearing what I'm saying? You give God your whole heart. Idolatry verse 20.

Sorcery enmity strife and jealousy. What do you think that says to the people say my friends what do you think's been happening in the church business meetings? And where are those people going? To heaven because they had an experience.

They're gonna be judged by the law because they have no fear of God before their eyes. We just keep telling them it's all right as long as you remember this church you're going to heaven. I Don't want that judgment on me.

I hope you don't even. Strife jealousy outbursts of anger disputes dissensions factions. What does it say about in being? Drunkenness carousing and things like these of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice practice Practice such things without any repentance practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

I've got to go here because I gotta tell you this bizarre if I go on just about ten more minutes. Would that be okay? There's a teaching going around that says that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are different even though Jesus said to John in John chapter 3 said to Nicodemus Unless a man be born again.

He shall not see the kingdom of God. Not heaven. God. You think he's talking about heaven? Absolutely. In Tulsa young lady came up after the service and she said oh she said I'm free. I'm free. I'm free.

I'm free when I finally got her to stop talking. I wanted to talk to me. She said I just want you to know I'm free and she related this story. She was attending a home Bible study and she had been under conviction because she had been not living for God.

But she'd been under deep conviction because of sin in her life and she happened to read relations chapter 5 19 to 21 and her sin was listed right there and she said oh, but God I'm practicing this thing.

I've been practicing it and she was under so much conviction and she said I don't think I'll go to heaven if I continue to practice this and so she went to this Bible study which she regularly went to and she went to the Bible study and Tears just when they started praising God and ministers.

She couldn't praise her heart was heavy the conviction of the Spirit of God was on her to get her to repent well because God loved her and So the spirit of convictions on her to draw her to holiness and if you just come with a heart God wipe all that away.

He knew he's going to do his part. If you just come and do her part and so he's convicting her in the Spirit of God's honor and a singing praises. And she can't sing because she's crying and weeping and finally people come over to minister to her.

And the leader of the Bible study finally comes up and says Honey, what's wrong? And she says well, I don't think I'm going to heaven and he says well. Haven't you had an experience with Jesus? You ever invited Jesus in like she's yeah I did all that and she related how she invited Jesus in their life.

She'd been going to church. So well, don't you realize don't you understand even though you're practicing those things you're going to go to heaven. God understands. Don't you know that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are different?

It says if you practice those things now if you keep doing them. You're going to lose some rewards on this earth and some heavenly rewards, but you'll still be saved as through fire. I won't go into that if you want to know what that means.

You can listen to the tapes of the carnal Christian. You know what? She said happened to listen to me. She said immediately. Immediately there's like a waterfall of warm water swept down over her. Just like that.

She said just it just just peace just swept over her just like that. And she said I don't feel convinced anymore. But she said with tears in her eyes I also Didn't get saved and she said Tonight I'm saved.

I've acquitted and she said I just left it and repented and all the dirt and the filthiness and the weight is gone. I got a letter from her six months later, and she said I'm not doing it anymore. Now, let me ask you a question.

Did God give her that peace? The devil gave her that peace. God gave her repentance and freedom and With that she got peace. Are you hearing what I'm saying? I noticed something 18 but if You are led by the Spirit You are not under the law, but you're under The covenant of a pure heart verse 16, but I say walk by the Spirit and you'll not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Freedom Through the Spirit in Romans 7–8

Now one more place in Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8 I want to just remind you I'm not going to read it. But I want to remind you people so use Romans chapter 7 as saying Paul said the good that I wish to do I can't do and and I just keep practicing sin.

And they say well Paul said it and he was going to heaven. How sad they don't read the rest of the chapter. Paul didn't say nothing. He said I have a struggle within me. Galatians chapter 5 verse 19 or verse 17 in between the two that I read says the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit lusts against the flesh that you may not Be able to do what you want to do and you will have a war you'll have a war.

But notice what he said in chapter 7 Of Romans verse 24 Wretched man that I am who will set me free from the body of this one. He called the body of death. He said he was practicing. He said the very thing that I that I don't want to do I practice the very evil I do not wish and he's the one that we just read about that said if I practice the deeds of the flesh I don't inherit the kingdom of God.

Are you hearing what I'm saying? But notice what he said verse 25 of Romans 7 thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord who's going to set him free Jesus how's he going to do it verse 2 chapter 8 for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

The law of the Spirit and if you walk by the Spirit, you'll not be judged by the law. Are you hearing what I'm saying? God puts his spirit within you to enable you to walk in obedience. Are you with me?

I say are you with me? Now notice what he says verse 3 for what the law could not do weak as it was through the flesh who did it? God did sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering percent.

He condemned sin in the flesh in order that here's why he did it in order that the requirement of the law Might be fulfilled in us. Qualified who do not walk according to the flesh. But according to the spirit if you're walking according to spirit, you're not under the law.

Are you hearing what I'm saying? Verse 14 for all who burn being led by the Spirit of God. These are the sons of God. Verse 13 if you're living according to the flesh what must happen to you you must die.

But if by the Spirit by the Spirit you're putting to death the deeds of the body you will live. How many of you see that? Verse 11 if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead Will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who indwells you.

So then brethren You're not under obligation not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. Is that clear? God says you're not under obligation to live according to flesh. Why. Because when you give God your whole heart the God of all grace?

Meets you to do battle with that which you've declared as an enemy. Because your enemies are his enemies in covenant and his grace comes as a power. That enables you when you repent with your whole heart.

To make all grace abound to you always having all sufficiency in everything. That you may abound. The law Is for those who are rebellious and unbelieving. The law is for those who give God lip service and come to him as a fire escape God and it gets bad enough.

They come to him to escape. Are you getting what I'm saying? But my friends God's giving you strength. He put it in you that the fear of God may be the proof. And that spirit that Holy Spirit of power Enabled you to walk in everything he commanded if you'll give him your whole heart.

Are you hearing what I'm saying? Chapter 13 says the Lord gives the Holy Spirit To those who obey. I want you to just bow your heads and I want you to pray with me. I want to pray with each one of you.

Prayer for Deliverance from Bondage and Strongholds

If you're in bondage I'd like for Don and Pam to come on out if you're in bondage. If you're in bondage to something that's holding you you really want to be free. I won't pray with you tonight. I want to see that you get set free from that sin and from that bondage is holding you.

If your heart you just turn your heart to him. Now listen to me you can be free but if you're here tonight, especially if you're here tonight and. And you're giving God lip service. You know if you are and you're playing with God.

May I say to you your heart is getting harder and harder and harder and harder. Don't harden your heart. They'll come a place at which there's no desire in you to even repent. Don't play with it and you'll stand before God and you'll be judged by the law.

God wants you to be enabled if you need to be prayed for. For the power of the Spirit of God to be in your life. We'll pray for you. You pray for it. If you've got a bondage and you need it broken a stronghold.

You can't break it can be broken in Jesus name. You don't have to walk out of here the same. This concludes tape number six, please proceed to tape number seven where this message continues.