#r12=d28

Introduction

Going to start a new series of thoughts this morning. I am calling the series,
#r12=d28, r12 standing for Romans 12 and d28 standing for Deuteronomy 28.
Romans 12 is my favorite chapter in the New Testament and Deuteronomy 28
is my favorite chapter in the Old Testament. I think the series is extremely
timely. Pastor Tommy recently started a series on Covenant and walking in
Covenant relationship and I agree with his premise that in this day and hour of
History in America, that God is calling His people back to a Covenant
Relationship with Him. This word Covenant is not commonly used in
conversation and is hard to define. According to a Biblical Dictionary a
Covenant is
The word "covenant, " infrequently heard in conversation, is quite commonly
used in legal, social (marriage), and religious and theological contexts.
The Idea of Covenant. The term "covenant" is of Latin origin (con venire),
meaning a coming together. It presupposes two or more parties who come
together to make a contract, agreeing on promises, stipulations, privileges,
and responsibilities

The best way I have ever heard a preacher describe and I believe it was
Jenetzen Franklin, but I am not 100% sure, just heard it and know it stuck with
me is this. A Covenant is a mutual relationship between two people or in this
case God, that has mutual benefits for both parties. It has an "if" component,
"if" one party holds up their end of the bargain, then the other party hold ups
their end of the bargain. So if two people join in a Covenant, they both agree
to do certain things as their part of the covenant and both will benefit from the
actions of the other. The most common Covenant in our society is the
marriage covenant, displayed in the marriage ceremony as vows. If people
keep their vows, the marriage will work, and both sides will benefit from the
marriage. I do not think it is a coincidence that God calls the church his bride.

Now to get back to the title and introduction of my series. God is relational,
true spirituality is a relationship with God. The things we do such as pray,
read the word, obey His commands, and go to church should be BECAUSE of
our relationship with Him. God wants us to have relationship with Him first
and then through that relationship have relationship with others that leads to
the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Mark 12:30-31Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and
with all your strength.[

31 The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.[c] There is no other

command greater than these.
So if God is relational and that relationship takes the form of a Covenant.
Then how do we walk out our part of the Covenant which will activate the
promises and blessings of God that is His part of the Covenant?
Deuteronomy 28Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Blessings for Obedience

28 Now if you faithfully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all
His commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will put you far above
all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come and overtake you,
because you obey the Lord your God:
Without totally getting into the Covenant of Abraham, just know that through
Jesus, we have been grafted into the Covenant relationship made with
Abraham and we are heirs of Christ through Grace and Grace alone.
Therefore Deuteronomy 28 originally written to the Hebrews can be applied to
our lives as well. Yes, we can walk in the blessings for obedience. But
Deuteronomy 28:1 starts with the phrase "Now if". So how do we "Now if",
#r12=d28. Over the next few weeks we will look at first Romans 12 and then
Deuteronomy 28 with the purpose of learning how to walk out our faith and put
ourselves in position live out Deuteronomy 28 in our lives. Or as the definition
above implies come together with God to make a contract, agreeing on

promises, stipulations, privileges, and responsibilities. God can be trusted to

hold up His end, what if we truly held up our end?
In Christ by Grace
Coach Jackson
Coach "J"