Where do you turn when bad things happen in your life? Seeking God should be our first response, not our last resort. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat shows us how to respond to bad news when he immediately seeks God and gathers all of Judah to do the same. In front of the entire nation, he prays a powerful prayer that ends, "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (2 Chronicles 20:12)

Sermon preached at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler, TX on 11.10.24

As we are resting from our labors physically, we see a spiritual parallel taught to us in Scripture: God is calling us to REST FROM our works, and to REST IN His works.

Dr. Aaron Glover
Outreach & Missions Pastor at 
Colonial Hills Baptist Church - Tyler, TX.  

Everyone who is in Christ is a New Creation NOW. But that's not the end of the story... Join me to see a glimpse of the future that awaits believers!

The Bible tells us that anyone in Christ IS A NEW CREATION, but what does that mean? Join me this week to find out!

Believers have great assurance that we will receive God's promises because of who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. This week, we read the encouraging words of how we should live (let us...) in light of what Christ gives (since we have...). 
"Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for HE who promised IS FAITHFUL" (Hebrews 10:23, ESV).

Christ's one-time offering took away sin once and for all. By his blood, we have been completely and permanently forgiven. According to the New Covenant, believers have been made holy through Jesus' sacrifice. "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14).

 The Gospel tells us that Jesus died for our sins... but do you ever wonder why that was necessary? Why death? Why blood? Why weren't the animal sacrifices by the Levitical priests enough to fully cleanse people? Today, we see how the Jesus Christ, the TRUE High Priest, entered into the TRUE tent of God's presence and offered the TRUE sacrifice of His BLOOD. Thus, He put away our sins and obtained for us TRUE FORGIVENESS! 

Our High Priest, Jesus, Christ, is the mediator of a New Covenant - one that is different and better than the first. When comparing the covenants, we could ask several questions: "why was a new one given?" or "how is it different?" or "what makes the new one better?" 
"Why was a New Covenant given?" God revealed the fault He found with the people under the first Covenant- they could not keep it... God would have to keep a covenant for them.
"How is the New Covenant different?" Instead of external laws and rituals God would change people from the inside- changing the heart and the mind. Moreover, everyone in the New would have true knowledge of God - personal intimate fellowship with Him!
"How is the New Covenant better?" It has better promises! A better High Priest! A better sacrifice! Change from within! True fellowship with God! and much, much more!

After Easter, we are continuing our study in the book of Hebrews. Today, we see how's Christ priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical priesthood under the law. The order of Melchizedek existed long before the law, Christ continues in His priestly role forever, Christ mediates a better covenant, and is able to truly and fully save everyone who draws near to God through Him! 

After Easter, we are continuing our study in the book of Hebrews. Today, we see how's Christ priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical priesthood under the law. The order of Melchizedek existed long before the law, Christ continues in His priestly role forever, Christ mediates a better covenant, and is able to truly and fully save everyone who draws near to God through Him!