The key difference for us is we are not in the Mosaic Covenant; we are in the New Covenant inaugurated in Jesus (see 1 Cor. 11:25). In the Mosaic Covenant, God blessed Israel as a result of obedience. In the New Covenant, we need to think about material blessing differently. God is certainly able and may choose to give material blessings – but He is not obligated nor has He promised to always act in this way towards us. We can't expect to give $10 and receive a $100 in return. He informs us in 2 Cor. 9:6-11 of how we should think of material blessing. Of particular importance for us today is v.11, as God says, "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." One person commented on this verse saying, "Paul is not advocating giving that will result in blessing but rather blessing that will result in giving." In the New Covenant, we will not be material blessed because of obedience (like in Malachi 3 and the Mosaic Covenant); we will be material blessed in order to be generous. And our giving will bring thanksgiving and praise to God (v.11).

The Jews has a wordily perspective of success and pain. They thought success was material prosperity because of Gods approval and pain was purely evil because God was angry towards peoples actions. They missed the perspective of success being God presence in our lives because of our trust and faithfulness; and pain was God's grace in refining us into His image to maximize our joy.

John 6:53-69 After Jesus shares a difficult teaching which causes many people to no longer follow Him, Jesus turns to His disciples and offers them the same challenge demanding complete surrender in Him. This demand is the same today. There is no middle ground when it comes to following Jesus. You are either for Jesus or against Jesus.

This passage focuses in and gets specific on the way Israel has stumbled. In 2:1-9, God rebuked the priests (for us, church leaders and pastors) for the way they have neglected to teach God's Word. And in their neglect, they have caused Israel to stumble, to sin, and to live outside of the ways of God.

In this passage God is directly speaking to the priests. For our purposes, think about the leaders of the church. In the story of Israel, God had called and charged the priests to help maintain the covenant relationship between God and Israel. In this role they were called to pursue the honor of God's name above all else. And one of the main ways they honored God and devoted themselves to Him was in their teaching--much like the role of pastors and leaders in the church.

The type of worship we offer must reflect the type of God we serve and kind of love we have been given. At the core of Netcast is worship: the vision statement says, "Gospel-Centered Worshipful Communities." This passage is incredible vital to our faith and the future of this church. We must not only understand worship well, but we must be known for our worship.

The truth that God loves you, is a profound revelation that transforms the human heart. He does not hate you, He is not angry at you and He is not mad at you. In the Lords mind, you've been carefully woven & knit together, you're unique, special & the apple of His eye. However, His love for you is based upon no merit of your own but only His divine mercy.

How do we fight a battle that has already been won? Our worship pastor, Josh Sturgeon walks through what it looks like for the Church to fight a spiritual battle on this side of the cross, knowing that Jesus has been given all authority over the enemy.

Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God. However, Satan’s destiny is sealed, Christ has already won and victory belongs to the kingdom of God.

Netcast had the opportunity to serve alongside Pastor Otto Alvarez and his team at Libre Infancia, a ministry focused on children living in one of the most desperate areas of Guatemala City. Through this experience, God made it clear that our two ministries have have a unique chemistry. Netcast has committed its support to the long-term mission of Libre Infancia to break the cycle of poverty in the "Zone 3" garbage dump, through education and the transforming impact of the gospel.