Welcome to Delight in Grace. The Teaching Ministry of Rich Powell, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Winston-Salem. In Deuteronomy seven, God is instructing the people of Israel as they prepare to fight against the nations that God will give over to them. This passage talks about battling enemies and about God's blessing of health, wealth. and prosperity for the nation of Israel.
if the people will follow after him. Maybe you find yourself asking what parts of God's command and covenant with Israel still apply to us now? Under the New Covenant in Christ we're not under the old covenant. This is part four of a message titled, It is Because the Lord Loves You. It was originally preached on May 26, 2024.
Romans 7, verses 4 and 6, My brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. But now's verse 6, but now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Did you know that was in the Bible? There it is. All right, that's the necessary discontinuity.
The Bible limits itself.
Okay, only the Bible can limit itself.
So, as the church, here's why this is important. Here's why this is important. Because in Deuteronomy 7, God makes some pretty awesome promises to the people of Israel. But we're not under that old covenant. We're under the new covenant.
So Here's what that means for us when it comes to Deuteronomy chapter 7. As the church, as the church, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, we are not. Called to devote godless nations to destruction. You knew that, right? We're not called to devote godless nations to destruction.
That's not a new covenant. We are not called to a national or familial identity. The gospel is for All people.
Okay. We are not called to. Watch this now, listen to this. This might be messing with some of your theology. But as as the people of God, the elect of God, holy and beloved under the new covenant, we are not called to expect abundant health.
Lots of children. And food. Because of our obedience. How many of you just had your theology messed with? You see, that's old covenant.
We are not, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, we are not called to believe that no one will be able to stand against us. Christians, many Christians have died because of their faith through the centuries. Just two of them this last week in Haiti. Tertullian, a church father in the second and third centuries, said, The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. But even with higher authority than Tertullian, Jesus said: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
Jesus said that. Acts chapter 14, verses 21 to 22. Paul Going around to the different churches that he had planted. When they had preached the gospel to the city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch and strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Did you know that was in scripture?
We are so prone to think that if I'm faithful to God, Life is going to be good. Listen to me. That is full. False theology, if you think life is good, means there's no hardship, there's no lack. I'll have plenty of kids.
I'll always have plenty of food. My health will be good. How's your theology this morning? We are under the new covenant. And that means something.
So here's now what I want to take this: the truths, the truths of Jeremiah, of Jeremiah, of Deuteronomy chapter 7. What Are they for us? Today. Four of them. New covenant realities.
That we glean from Deuteronomy chapter 7. Number one, No human force can withstand God's purpose. Know that, believe that, live that. No human force can withstand God's purpose. No matter how many people say they don't believe in God.
No matter how many people call us dirty, awful names. and tell us that we're on the wrong side of history. No matter what the government mandates, No human force can withstand God's purpose. Listen to this. Faithful followers of God have.
always been a small minority on earth. Always. Matthew chapter 7. Verses 13 and 14, Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many, for the gate is narrow, and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it. Our few.
You are in the minority, and on this side of eternity. Under the sun, you will always be. A minority. That's the kingdom of God.
Okay. But Jesus said that. Listen, David, what does that mean practically for me? What does it mean for me when I watch the news? Listen, polls, polls do not determine what is right and good.
You with me on this? Polls don't determine that. It is God's character and purpose. It is His self-disclosure that determines that.
Okay. Aren't you glad Daniel is in Daniel The book of Daniel is in scripture. Daniel knew very well that polls don't determine what is right and good. Proverbs twenty one thirty. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.
That's good news. What that means is, no human force can withstand God's purpose. God will accomplish his purpose. Proverbs 19, verse 21: Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. And that man might be a statesman, it might be a president, it might be a monarch.
Many are the plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Christians, listen to me. Those of you who are the elect of God, holy and beloved. Know this. Live in the freedom of this truth.
No human force can withstand God's purpose. Second reality.
Well, let me continue here, Lucy. Let's go on to the second one. All right. Number two: God's love is steadfast. And fierce.
I told you I did to this. What can separate you from God's love? Absolutely. Nothing happened. Romans 8.
And loving him means he weaves. Everything in your life, all circumstances of your life. Loving him and the fact that he loves you. In a steadfast love, all the circumstances of your life, he weaves them into the purpose. the purpose that he has for you.
Mainly. To make you like his son, Jesus. All of it. There is purpose. in suffering.
Spring. Strongly, strongly recommend you come tonight to Adrian Bradley's seminar. this this tonight and next Sunday night. Tracing Grace. What does God think of his people?
We who are his, the new humanity in Christ, what does he think of us? Peter tells us, 1 Peter. Chapter 2 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. Do you think maybe he might have been alluding back here to Deuteronomy chapter 7? Yeah, I think so.
That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Do you see your purpose in that statement? Do you see your purpose in your identity?
You who are the elect of God, holy and beloved. Romans chapter 8, Colossians chapter 3, use that term as the elective God, holy bless, Colossians 3:12. We are a people of God's purpose. We have His privilege, His presence, His protection, and His power. And his love is not only steadfast, but it is fierce.
It is fierce. I mentioned this before. God will repay those who hate him. And he will repay those who hate and abuse his treasured possession. 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1, verses 6 to 9.
Since indeed God considers it just to repay with afflictions those who afflict you. and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire. Inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord, they will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord. and from his glory, and from the glory of his might.
Who's he talking about specifically there? Those who abuse. his treasured possession. It aimed. God's love is fierce.
Not only is it steadfast, His love is fierce. Promise number three. I want you to listen carefully to this now, okay? Promise number three. New New Covenant reality.
The most prosperous people are those who are most satisfied in God. Stop right there a minute. Where did your mind go when I used the word prosperous?
Sorry, what? Magnitude of blessings. Gratitude equals magnitude of blessings.
Okay. That's good. But naturally, when we hear the word prosperous because the way it's been used today, where do we go? Big house, lots of cars, fancy cars. Alexis, not just a Toyota, Alexis.
You've been listening to Delight in Grace, the teaching ministry of Rich Powell, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Winston-Salem. To hear this message and others, check out www.delightandgrace.com. To discover how to live by grace, tune in with us on weekdays at 10 a.m.
