“They Brought” | Mac Hammond
 
Recap
 
Pastor Mac taught a message entitled, “They Brought.” He said, “If you’re in a relationship with the Lord, you’re in a covenant with Him. And that covenant is one of blessing.” Yet, many covenant believers do not seem to walk in the level of blessing the Bible promises. Why is that? Pastor Mac said walking fully in the provision and purpose of God begins by understanding what the definition of a covenant actually is.
 
Dive Deeper
 
In Genesis chapter 12, we learn about a covenant of blessing through Abram, a man who believed God.
 
Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. God entered into covenant with Abram because he believed Him. The first covenant was a covenant of blessing: “I will bless you, make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.”
 
Covenant is a contractual agreement between two parties where each party provides something needed by the other party. Both parties to the agreement had to do their part before the covenant could work on their behalf.
 
If one party didn’t fulfill his part of the covenant, then his covenant partner would not be obligated to fulfill his part of the covenant.
 
In Genesis 12:2 God said, “I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
 
The phrase “make your name great,” bothers some because it sounds like the opposite of humility. “Aren’t we supposed to be humble?” Pastor Mac says, “That doesn’t mean you are a worm.” Humility recognized the truth that without God, you can’t do anything. But with Christ, you can do all things.
 
When God says He will make your name great, it doesn’t mean you will be internationally famous, or nationally famous, or even famous on a small scale. What it means is that He wants you to be great in the circle of relationships He’s placed you in. He wants you to be seen as the best at what you do…
 
He wants your name to be great in the arena that He’s called you to function within, because when your name is great, His name is great.
 
God says He will bless you and you’ll be a blessing. Most of us are waiting on God to bless us before we consider making an effort to bless anyone else.
 
It begins by understanding the word “bless.” It is an empowerment to prosper or increase. Meaning that God empowers you to experience these things, but ultimately, you’re the one that takes the steps to do them.
 
Deut. 8:18, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant.”
 
He says if you’re in covenant with Him, He empowers you to experience the promise and the blessing of God.
 
Read About It
 
Genesis 12:1–3, “Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
 
Deut. 8:18, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant.”
 
Discussion Questions
 
What is the definition of covenant?
 
If you’re a believer, you are in a covenant of blessing with God. What falls under the category of blessing?
 
God says to His covenant partner, “I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” What does He mean by saying He will make your name great?
 
 

Recent Sermon Notes

Bread for the Soul | Jim Hammond

Pastor Jim wished all the mothers in the congregation and online a very happy Mother’s Day. It was a day dedicated to the celebration of motherhood, acknowledging the great devotion mothers have toward their families. He pointed out there was one specific thing at which mothers are very good—how to feed their children the Bread of Life like no one else can.

The Accuser of Brethren | Mac Hammond

Pastor Mac taught a message entitled, “The Accuser of Brethren.” “This message is important,” he said, “because it encapsulates our challenge in this life and summarizes things in a significant way.” His subject? How to avoid deception! The basic truth of this message is this: If the enemy can’t deceive you, he can’t defeat you!

GRACE UNVEILED, #33, “The Holy Spirit Leads You Out of the Dominion of Sin” | Jim Hammond

Pastor Jim preached a message subtitled, “The Holy Spirit Leads You Out of the Dominion of Sin.” This is his 33rd message in his teaching series on the book of Romans called “Unveiled Grace.” The message was based on Romans 8:13, “For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.” (Amp.) This verse tells us that through the Holy Spirit, we have the power to put to death the evil deeds of the body.

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Pastor Mac taught a message on the celebration of Easter. He said, “The kingdom of God is based upon the Word of God. In fact, the kingdom of God is a manifestation of the Word of God and His purposes on the earth.” The celebration of Easter is a centerpiece of all that He’s done to enable humanity to rise to the level only possible in Him—and to escape the realm of death!

GRACE UNVEILED: “From Condemnation to Fulfillment” #31

Pastor Jim taught the 31st message in his series on Romans: “Unveiling Grace.” The Bible is clear, under the New Covenant, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Yet many believers are walking around under the weight of condemnation. Pastor Jim explains these believers are trying to absolve themselves of their sins through their own self-effort, which is another way of saying “through their flesh.” What they’re trying to do is live under Old Covenant laws. There’s a word for Christians like that—miserable!