The Blood Covenant #15: The Spirit and the Blood Agree

In the blood covenant, believers are not only redeemed from poverty, sickness and spiritual death; they are redeemed to something, and the Holy Spirit is the one who shows them what that is. In this message, titled “The Spirit and the Blood Agree,” the pastor teaches from 1 John 5:8 that the Spirit and the blood can never be separated: the blood purchased every blessing, and the Spirit opens our eyes to see it and walk in it. It follows the previous Blood Covenant message in the series.

Below you will find the full video, a structured summary of the sermon, the Scripture behind each point (linked to the New King James Version on Bible Gateway), a timestamped outline, and practical steps you can take this week.

Sermon at a Glance

This message was posted on April 13, 2021, as part of the Blood Covenant teaching series at NTC Ministries in Merrill, Wisconsin. It runs about 70 minutes and closes with communion. The pastor calls it a transitional message: after weeks on what the blood redeemed us from, he turns to what it redeemed us to, and to the Holy Spirit who makes that inheritance real.

He opens with Joshua. God told him to meditate on the Word day and night, and then “you will make your way prosperous” (Joshua 1:8). God did not say He would do it for Joshua. The idea that “if God wants it to happen, it’ll happen” is, in the pastor’s words, a doctrine that will kill you. Believers are told to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Redeemed From and Redeemed To

The pastor reminds the church that the curse divides into three parts, poverty, sickness and spiritual death, and that Christ has redeemed us from all of it. But if we are redeemed from something, we must be redeemed to something. Psalm 103:2–4 says God redeems our life from destruction and crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Colossians 1:13 says God delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. 1 Peter 2:9 speaks of being called out of darkness into His marvelous light. God did not pay the ransom and then leave us on our own. Jesus promised not to leave us comfortless but to send the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth.

The trouble, he says, is that many Christians do not actively apply themselves to what God has said, and then blame God or question Him, as if He were our servant. God is not our servant; we serve Him. Christianity is not sitting in church to do a religious duty. It is being a disciple, a disciplined one who does what Jesus says.

He compares it to parents who spend a hundred thousand dollars to send a child to college, only for the child to come home having learned almost nothing because they never went to class. The redemption Jesus paid for was a bloody, costly business. We honor it not by crying over it but by applying ourselves so that what He did becomes effective in our lives.

The key text for this transition is Galatians 3:13–14. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles and we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The pastor stresses how much that matters. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God, so why are so many Christians looking for someone else to hear from God for them?

God’s Word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:10–11). Like rain and snow that water the earth, it will accomplish what He sent it to do. We are born again of incorruptible seed, but that is only the seedling stage; the fruit comes as we listen to the Spirit, obey Him and let Him lead, guide and empower us. Then comes the good news of Galatians 3:29: if you are Christ’s, you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. There is nothing God has that you did not inherit, and you do not have to beg Him for it.

Three That Bear Witness: The Spirit, the Water and the Blood

The title text is 1 John 5:8: there are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three agree as one. We do not always enjoy the blessings God has for us, he says, because of a lack of knowledge.

The water refers to the outward command we obey after repentance. In Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:13–17), Jesus submitted to John, who was the greatest authority in the kingdom of heaven on earth at that time, to fulfill all righteousness. When He did, the heavens were torn open, the Holy Spirit came upon Him, and He moved in a ministry of power. At the cross, when the soldier pierced His side, blood and water came out.

The blood is the life of the flesh, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Under the old covenant the blood only covered sin, and sin piled up until Jesus came. In Gethsemane He prayed for the cup to pass, then said, not My will but Yours. He took not only our sin but the full wrath of God for it. The water testifies of His humanity: though He was God, He chose to live and minister as a man, which is why we can follow Him. Philippians 2:6–11 says He took the form of a servant, and God gave Him the name above every name.

The Spirit witnesses both the water and the blood. He came on Jesus at His baptism, and at the cross the veil of the temple was torn in two. Though the soldiers mocked Jesus all the way to Golgotha, when He gave His last breath the centurion said, “Truly this is the Son of God.” Why? Because the Holy Spirit bore witness. No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Eternal Redemption, Eternal Spirit, Eternal Inheritance

The pastor then walks through Hebrews 9:12–15. Christ entered the Most Holy Place once for all with His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Through the eternal Spirit He offered Himself without spot to God to cleanse our conscience from dead works, so that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. He sums it up: eternal redemption, by the eternal Spirit, for an eternal inheritance.

Because the eternal Spirit was living and working in His blood, that blood could not decay or grow old. It had to be alive to be taken into the holy of holies in heaven. Redemption reached the heavens, which is why every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places is ours (Ephesians 1:3).

Most people, he says, think eternal only means without end. That tells us what eternal is not, not what it is. He contrasts the two natures this way:

That is why every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17), and why the Lord says He does not change (Malachi 3:6). Eternal redemption cannot be corrupted or diminished. It can only grow in us through knowledge, as 2 Peter 1:2–4 says: grace and peace are multiplied through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Eternal is a quality, not just a quantity. Isaiah 53:5 looks forward: by His stripes we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24 looks back: by whose stripes you were healed. It is already done. Even this corruptible body will one day put on incorruption. We are in a growth process we cannot lose.

Eyes to See the Kingdom

If eternal life cannot change or decay, why isn’t it showing up in my life? The pastor says that is exactly the right question to bring to God: Lord, what am I doing that I shouldn’t, and what am I not doing that I should?

When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, Jesus told him that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). The kingdom is here and God is reigning; the pastor says the Lord is dancing over us in love, pointing to Zephaniah 3:17, but we need our spiritual eyes opened.

Righteousness is one example. Romans 5:17 says those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life. The pastor has people say, “I’m the righteousness of God.” He does not mean he is as good as God; he fails and misses it. He means righteousness is a gift, and unless he receives it he will not reign in life. That means dealing with the religious spirit.

Titus 1:1–2 speaks of the acknowledgment of the truth, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. And hope here is not doubt. As he teaches it, hope means always expecting life to get better, always expecting more, always expecting God to increase us. Faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1).

The word for life here is zoe, which he defines as life as God has it. The opposite is the soul life of our own desires, and people lose sleep when a corrupted soul is in charge rather than the Spirit.

He applies the parable of the sower (Mark 4:14–20). Hard ground is our own unbelief, which we repent of. Stones are the steady stream of negative voices and bad news that choke the Word. Thorns are the people we keep company with, which is why we do not forsake assembling with like-minded believers. The only work we are given is to enter His rest.

Eternity, he says, is like a cocoon around your life. Jesus slept in a sinking boat because He had eternal eyes, then stilled the storm and they were immediately on the other side. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 says our light affliction works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look at the things which are not seen. His counsel: work to get eternal eyes, look for good in other people, and expect the best.

The Spirit and the Blood Agree in the Blood Covenant

How do the blood and the Spirit agree? Everything the blood purchased, all things that pertain to life and godliness, has already been given. The Spirit’s part is to show it to us: you may be struggling now, but this is where you are growing to. If all we hear is doom and gloom, he says, we are not listening to the Holy Spirit. God is not a man that He should lie; if He said it, He will do it.

The pastor puts it this way: as the blood possesses its power through the Spirit, the Spirit manifests His power through the blood. That is why believers apply the blood: lack, the blood of Jesus is against you; abundance, come into my life. Taking hold of eternal life does not mean taking hold of heaven someday. It means taking hold of God’s goodness, power and glory now.

The Scriptures keep the two together. In John 7:37–39, the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified; His blood had not yet been shed. In John 6:54, whoever drinks His blood has eternal life, yet in verse 63 it is the Spirit who gives life. Ephesians 2:13 says we are brought near by the blood of Christ, and verse 18 that we have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Deny one and you deny the other. Hebrews 10:29 warns of worse punishment for one who has counted the blood of the covenant a common thing and insulted the Spirit of grace. The pastor applies this to those who say God no longer heals or that miracles are not for today.

Hebrews 13:20–21 says God brought Jesus up from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Romans 8:11 says the Spirit raised Him and will give life to our mortal bodies. One verse credits the blood, the other the Spirit, because they are one. The final text, 1 Corinthians 2:6–12, shows why the enemy never saw it coming: had the rulers of this age known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

He corrects a common reading of verse 9. Eye has not seen nor ear heard the things God has prepared for those who love Him, but verse 10 continues: God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. The Spirit shows us everything the blood purchased. Asked once if he was a prosperity preacher, he answered that he is not a poverty preacher. A church from a small town like Merrill reached 37 nations, he says, only by learning to look beyond its own little life and let the Holy Spirit show it what to do.

Living It Out This Week

The pastor closes with communion, reminding the church that accepting what the blood purchased is not optional, and that this is not a downer message: when we acknowledge it, God guarantees it. Here are practical steps drawn from the sermon:

• Meditate day and night. Follow Joshua 1:8 and apply yourself to the Word instead of waiting for things to happen.
• Ask the honest question. Where blessing is not showing up, ask the Lord what you are doing that you shouldn’t and what you are not doing that you should.
• Pray for eyes to see. Ask the Father to fill you with His Spirit and give you eyes to see what the blood purchased.
• Clear the soil. Repent of unbelief, turn down the stream of negative voices, and keep company with believers.
• Receive the gift of righteousness. Say what God says about you, so that you reign in life through Jesus Christ.
• Expect the best. Hope means always expecting more; look for good in people and in what God is doing.

Everyone must serve, give, read the Bible, pray and spend time alone with God, he says, because that is what a disciple does. As Paul wrote, if he still pleased men he would not be a bondservant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

Timestamped Outline

• 0:00 Meditate day and night: Joshua 1:8
• 1:05 Redeemed from something, redeemed to something
• 3:13 God is not our servant
• 6:43 Galatians 3:13–14: the promise of the Spirit
• 10:05 Heirs according to the promise
• 11:18 The message: the Spirit and the blood agree
• 13:15 Lack of knowledge and the button on the car
• 14:19 The water: Jesus’ baptism
• 17:32 The blood and the cup in Gethsemane
• 19:51 The centurion’s confession
• 21:07 Hebrews 9:12–15: eternal redemption
• 24:57 What eternal really means
• 31:04 By His stripes you were healed
• 33:50 Born again to see the kingdom
• 35:07 The gift of righteousness
• 37:28 Titus 1: the hope of eternal life
• 39:58 Zoe: life as God has it
• 41:16 The parable of the sower
• 46:59 Eternal eyes in the storm
• 50:21 The Spirit manifests His power through the blood
• 52:38 John 6, Ephesians 2 and Hebrews 10:29
• 56:10 Hebrews 13 and Romans 8:11
• 59:55 1 Corinthians 2: revealed by His Spirit
• 1:04:31 Communion and closing prayer

Blood Covenant Series

This message is part of a long teaching series at NTC Ministries. Start from the beginning or continue where this one leaves off:

• First message: The Blood Covenant
• Previous: The Blood Covenant, Part 14: From Victim to Victor — The Hidden Triumph of the Cross
• You are here: The Blood Covenant #15: The Spirit and the Blood Agree
• Next: The Blood Covenant #16: The Spirit Reveals What the Blood Purchased

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this teaching mean believers will never struggle?

No. The pastor says that if the curse still seems to affect you, it does not mean you are a bad person; you need better knowledge and a growing understanding. He describes the Christian life as a growth process you cannot lose. He also admits that seeing this can be bittersweet, because others may think you are foolish when you share what you see, and he notes that Jesus warned of division even within families.

Is this a prosperity message?

When someone asked the pastor if he was a prosperity preacher, he answered that he is not a poverty preacher; he preaches what the Bible says. He points to Scripture saying the Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant and that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. His emphasis, though, is on letting the Holy Spirit show each person what God wants them to do.

What did the pastor say about next week’s message?

He announces that the following week he would teach on health and healing in redemption. He explains that he had to preach this message first so that the church would start seeing what they have in redemption, not only what they have left behind, before he looked more closely at the curse of the law and why it should no longer have any effect on those redeemed from it.

Scripture References

All passages open in the New King James Version on Bible Gateway:

• 1 John 5:8 — the Spirit, the water and the blood agree
• Galatians 3:13–14 — the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit
• Galatians 3:29 — heirs according to the promise
• Hebrews 9:12–15 — eternal redemption through the eternal Spirit
• Titus 1:1–2 — the hope of eternal life
• John 7:37–39 — rivers of living water
• Hebrews 10:29 — the blood of the covenant and the Spirit of grace
• Romans 8:11 — the Spirit who raised Jesus
• 1 Corinthians 2:6–12 — revealed to us through His Spirit

How this summary was made: written with AI assistance from the sermon’s own transcript and checked against the Scriptures listed above.

Watch More Messages

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