Sermon Summary: The New Covenant in Christ

Date: July 26, 2026

Speaker: Evangelist Michael Amponi Anno (Guest Speaker)

I. Introduction: The Authority of Jesus and His Word

• The speaker established that Jesus Christ is the true "guest speaker," as God is present where two or more are gathered in His name.

• He stressed the importance of absolute truth over sincerity. While sincerity is good, only the truth found in Jesus Christ is eternal and absolute.

• Take-Home Point: A final decision is coming for everyone, and knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior is essential to being on the right side of that decision.

Resources for Deeper Study

The speaker introduced several books he has authored to help Christians grow in their faith and understanding:

• Lessons from Bible Characters: To help believers become "doers of the word, and not hearers only."

• God's Word Bulletproof: A layman's guide using prophetic fulfillment, archaeology, and science to prove the Bible's validity.

• A book on cultural issues, emphasizing truth over political correctness.

• A book with Biblical principles for those serving in the military.

• Supernatural Testimonies: Stories of deliverance in Jesus, including testimonies of ex-Muslims.

• A daily devotional with a sermon for each day of the year in poetic form.

II. The Role of the Church: Kings and Priests

• Main Point: The culture has been influencing the church, when the church is meant to influence the culture. Christians are called to be "kingdom-minded."

• Key Scripture: Revelation 1:6 – "...and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father..."

  • As Priests: We intercede for others, bringing their needs before God’s throne.

  • As Kings: We have dominion and authority now to influence the world as ambassadors for Christ’s kingdom.

• Spiritual Warfare: We are in a constant spiritual war and cannot afford to be apathetic. We must take a stand for righteousness. Angels are real and are sent to minister to believers (Hebrews 1:14).

Call to Prayer for the Nation

• The people of God determine the future of the nation through prayer.

• Action Item: The congregation was encouraged to join prayer initiatives like Capitol Hill Prayer Partners and to take a prayer sheet to pray for the nation daily.

• The speaker led a corporate prayer for a national awakening and for righteous leaders to be elected in the United States.

III. Personal Testimony: The Power of God's Word

Pastor Abe asked the speaker to share his testimony.

• Background: As a young Christian and Navy Lieutenant in the early 1980s, the speaker was assigned to a UN mission in the Middle East. Before leaving, a man of God gave him scriptures for protection, which he received and believed.

• Illustration Story: While on unarmed patrol in Southern Lebanon, he and a Marine captain were ambushed by three armed men. They were marched at gunpoint toward a ravine. The speaker held on to his belief in God's protection, and for reasons unknown, the assailants let them go. In contrast, another officer, Lt. Col. Rich Higgins, was hijacked by the same unit in the same area and was killed.

• Spiritual Principle: The speaker’s safety was established before he even left the U.S. because he stood on the promises of God's Word. Our words, aligned with God’s Word, establish our destiny.

• Key Scripture: Mark 11:23-24 – “...whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says... whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

IV. The New Covenant: From Law to Relationship

The Old Covenant vs. The New Covenant

• The Old Covenant (Law):

  • Based on rules, rituals, and the Ten Commandments given to Moses (Exodus 24:7).

  • This led many to see God as punitive, ready to punish failure.

  • Illustration: The Israelites made a molten calf while Moses was still on the mountain (Exodus 32:8), proving that humanity, in its own strength, cannot keep the law perfectly.

• The New Covenant (Relationship):

  • Based on fellowship and relationship with God, established through Jesus Christ.

  • It is a better covenant because it rests on the finished work of Jesus' atonement for our sins.

  • Key Scripture: Acts 4:12 – "...no other name, which man must be saved, but through Jesus Christ."

  • Illustration: Billy Graham was stopped for speeding. The judge found him guilty and declared the fine must be paid. However, the judge then paid the $10 fine himself and bought Billy Graham dinner. This is how God treats repentant sinners.

The Sacrifice of Christ: Once for All

• The Old Way: Under the Old Covenant, the high priest had to repeatedly offer animal blood sacrifices for sin on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

  • Illustration: The story of Sandy Koufax, who refused to pitch in the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur, shows the importance of making God the main thing in our lives.

• The New Way: Jesus, our High Priest, entered the heavenly holy place once, offering His own blood as the final, complete, and permanent sacrifice for all sin.

• Key Scriptures:

  • Hebrews 9:12: "[Jesus] by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

  • Hebrews 9:26: "But now once…he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

  • Romans 10:4: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

• Take-Home Point: We no longer need a human priest to mediate for us. Jesus is our Mediator who stands in the gap.

V. The Benefits of the New Covenant

The New Covenant is not based on fear, but on forgiveness; not on duty, but on desire. Through grace, we receive incredible benefits:

1. Salvation and Everlasting Life: We are saved from God’s wrath and given a "God kind of life" (Zoe) filled with joy and peace. (1 Thessalonians 5:9, John 3:16)

2. Adoption into God’s Family: We are given the power to become children of God. (John 1:12)

3. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: God Himself comes to live inside believers. (2 Corinthians 6:16)

4. Righteousness: We are made righteous in God’s sight; a gift, not something we earn. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

5. Direct Access to God: We can approach God’s throne of grace boldly in prayer. (Hebrews 4:16)

6. Redemption from the Curse of the Law: Christ redeemed us from the curses for disobedience listed in Deuteronomy 28 (sickness, poverty, spiritual death). Our New Covenant rights include spiritual life, health, and provision. (Galatians 3:13)

7. Healing: Healing is included with our salvation. Just as Jesus bore our sins, He also bore our sicknesses.

   • Key Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24 – "...by whose stripes ye were healed." (Past tense)

   • Take-Home Point: Healing is the "children's bread." It is God's will for His children to be healthy.

VI. How to Enter the New Covenant and Receive Healing

A. Entering the Covenant: Be Born Again

• Key Scripture: John 3:3 – "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

• Salvation is a spiritual rebirth—being "born again" and reconciled to God through Jesus. It is not about religion, but a personal relationship.

• Key Scripture: Romans 10:9–10 – "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

• Illustration (Abdul in Sudan): After praying this prayer, a man named Abdul said, "Something happened..." He experienced the touch of God and spiritual rebirth.

• Action Item: The congregation was led in a prayer to confess Jesus as Lord and receive Him as Savior. The key question is, "If you died tonight, do you know you would go to heaven based on your relationship with Jesus?"

B. Receiving Healing: By Faith and Confession

• Practical Steps to Remove Hindrances:

  1. Forgive others. Unforgiveness can block prayers.

  2. Forgive yourself.

  3. Repent of not walking in love.

  4. Renounce doubt, fear, and unbelief.

• The Principle of Agreement and Confession:

  • Key Scripture (Agreement): Matthew 18:19 – “If two of you agree on earth… it shall be done.”

  • Key Scripture (Confession): Mark 11:23 – Speak God’s promises and believe; your words carry your destiny.

• Pastoral Counsel:

  • Use a Point of Contact: Hold to the date you were prayed for (August 16, 2026) as a memorial of faith against doubts.

  • Stand on the Word: God honors His Word, which endures forever. Healing may be instant or gradual; keep thanking God and maintaining your confession regardless of feelings or symptoms.

• Illustration (Cancer patient): Healing can be progressive. Continue to thank God and stand in faith as improvement continues.

VII. Communion Service (Led by Pastor Abe)

• Scripture: Matthew 26-28 – Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper.

• Prayer over the Cup (Blood): A prayer for healing from head to toe.

• Prayer over the Bread (Body): A prayer of thanks for Christ's sacrifice.

• The service concluded with a final blessing that all healings and blessings received would become permanent.