A strange bit of theology in this talk…

We often “PUNT” the promises of God to the future.

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Go back to the Bible, though, and they thought— most of them— that the promises of God were only for NOW— not later.

In fact, in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul had to go out of his way to remind the early church that they had hope in the afterlife as well as the present (they had the opposite problem we do— they thought faith only “worked” for now— not then).

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The writer of Hebrews says the New Covenant is far superior to the Old (8:6).

So if…

⭐️ the blessings and benefits of the Old were for “now”

⭐️ their experience of God was for “now”

⭐️ things changed “now”

… then it also makes sense that they early church was on to something…

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God’s goodness works for LATER (after you die) as well as NOW (while we’re here).

That’s the subject to this talk…

A lot of people worry and press and push on to please God.

But what if all the working and striving and staining can’t do it, because it’s already done?

What if God ALREADY accepts you?

And what if “awakening” to that reality has the power to change everything…?

In the ancient world, people worshiped gods to keep them appeased. They offered sacrifice so something bad wouldn’t happen…

… or to amend and right a wrong that had happened.

(Surely, the gods were angry?).

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The Bible presents something radical.

Come to God for what you GAIN— not just for the punishment and penalties you push off…

(For sure, a lot of preachers preach more like the ancient prophets of other religions than masters of grace in the tradition of the great Jewish Rabbi.)

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Bottom line: don’t forget the benefits.

There are (at least) seven of them…