Authentic: Unveiling Eternal Redemption - Christ's New Covenant & Your Freedom

Are you yearning for a life of true freedom and a deeper, more confident connection with God, liberated from the burden of endless rules and rituals? This episode of Agape Community Church's "Deep Dive" series delves into the profound truths of Hebrews 9, revealing how Jesus ushered in a revolutionary new covenant that fundamentally transformed our relationship with the divine. Join us as we explore the journey from old ways to new life, uncovering the eternal redemption that has been secured for you, and discover how this timeless message empowers both new believers and those seeking to deepen their faith to live the "best life possible".

Description:This insightful message, presented from Hebrews chapter 9, explores the critical shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, a topic highly relevant to the original Hebrew audience who were being persecuted for their new faith in Jesus and tempted to revert to old ways. The Old Covenant included an earthly tabernacle—a "copy" or "symbol" of the heavenly one—with specific regulations for divine worship, including lampstands, a table, sacred bread, and the Holy of Holies. Under this old system, priests continually performed divine worship in the outer tabernacle, but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and that only once a year, bringing blood for himself and the people's sins. This signified that the way into the holy place was not yet fully disclosed, and the gifts and sacrifices offered "cannot make the worshipper perfect in conscience" as they only related to "food and drink and various washings". Furthermore, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness", and the first covenant itself was inaugurated with blood, used to sprinkle the book, the people, the tabernacle, and all ministry vessels.

However, the sources emphasize that Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come. Unlike the old way, Jesus "entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands," which is "not of this creation" but "into heaven itself". Crucially, He did not enter "through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood," entering the holy place "once for all having obtained eternal redemption". This sacrifice was perfect and offered "without blemish" through the "eternal spirit".

This singular, perfect sacrifice means we no longer need to perform daily sacrifices as in Old Testament times. Christ's blood "cleans our conscience from dead works to serve the living God". He is the "mediator of a new covenant," ensuring that those who are called "may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" because His death serves as "a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant".

The message encourages listeners to consider if they have been set free to serve the living God. While our fallen nature often equates freedom with doing whatever we want, leading to chasing after wealth, status, and power, the sources suggest that true freedom comes from seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first, as He promises to provide all that is needed. The entire law is summed up in two commandments: to "love the Lord thy God with all your heart all your soul all your mind" and to "love your neighbor as yourself". By resting in God's love through Jesus and living a life serving God and others, we fulfill "all the law and prophets" and can experience the "best life possible here on earth". The law served to show humanity its need for a Savior, pointing to Christ as our Messiah; His blood is the "only way" to salvation.