Living In The Power Of The Greatest | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

Living In The Power Of The Greatest | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

The term used to describe the New Covenant in the Bible goes beyond simply meaning better or greater—it signifies the best. Throughout the Book of Hebrews, key words like “better,” “greater,” and “more excellent” repeatedly emphasize the superiority of the New Covenant. For example, in Hebrews 8:6, it states, “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” Let’s explore what this means for believers today and how it impacts your spiritual life.

Many Christians misunderstand the New Covenant, thinking it is more relaxed compared to the Old Covenant. They assume that because the New Covenant focuses on grace, it demands less from us. However, this is far from true. Under the Old Covenant, you were commanded not to commit adultery or murder. In the New Covenant, Jesus elevates the standard: even harboring anger or lust in your heart is equivalent to committing these sins. The New Covenant calls for a higher level of righteousness, not a lower one.

It’s important to note that the Bible doesn’t refer to the New Covenant as the “newer” covenant—implying something simply more recent—but rather as a “better” covenant. The Greek word for “better” used in Hebrews is “kreittōn,” which means stronger, more noble, and more excellent. This highlights the transformative nature of the New Covenant. It is not just a continuation of the old; it is a completely different covenant, established on better promises and offering greater spiritual benefits.

Some believers, particularly those with a background in Jewish traditions, may perceive the New Covenant as a refinement of the Old Covenant. They point to Jeremiah 31, where God promises, “The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel.” However, this passage clearly states that the New Covenant is “not like the old covenant.” It is distinct and fundamentally new.

For those who have been born again, they are part of the New Covenant—even if they were never under the Old Covenant. Most Christians, especially non-Jewish believers, never experienced life under the Mosaic Law. Yet, they enter the New Covenant through faith in Christ. This spiritual reality requires understanding two key points:

1. Spiritual Adoption into the Covenant: Non-Jewish believers become spiritually connected to the promises of God given to Israel. This adoption into God’s family means they share in the blessings of the New Covenant.
2. The Universal Need for the New Covenant: Even if someone was never under the Old Covenant, they are still affected by humanity’s broken relationship with God. The Old Covenant revealed humanity’s inability to maintain a righteous connection with God. The New Covenant addresses this universal problem by restoring that broken connection through Jesus Christ.

The New Covenant is not merely an update or revision; it represents an entirely new way of relating to God. The Hebrew word for “new” in this context is “Hadashah,” which implies freshness and perpetual renewal. It’s not just a “newer” covenant—it is always fresh, always relevant, and always renewing those who are part of it. The essence of the New Covenant is newness in nature, not just in time.

When God says in Jeremiah, “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel,” He refers to a covenant that will bring about a complete transformation. The word “New” can also be understood as “The Covenant of Newness.” It signifies a perpetual freshness in the believer’s relationship with God. This newness is not bound by time or tradition—it remains vibrant and life-giving across generations.

Even though the Old Covenant was given specifically to the people of Israel, its principles apply universally because all humanity has broken its covenant with God. The New Covenant, therefore, is the divine solution to restore this broken relationship. Through Jesus, believers enter into a covenant that is stronger, nobler, and more excellent than anything that came before.

In Hebrew, the term for Covenant is “Brit” (also spelled “Berit”), and the word for “new” is “Hadashah.” Together, “Brit Hadashah” signifies the New Covenant—a covenant of perpetual newness and renewal.

To summarize:

• The New Covenant is better, greater, and more excellent than the Old Covenant.
• It demands higher standards of righteousness from believers.
• It is distinct and different from the Old Covenant, offering a completely new relationship with God.
• It is a universal solution to humanity’s broken connection with God.
• It signifies perpetual renewal and freshness in the believer’s spiritual life.

This understanding of the New Covenant should inspire believers to embrace the fullness of God’s promises and live according to the higher calling of righteousness, love, and grace. The New Covenant is not just about rules—it’s about transformation. Hallelujah!