The New Covenant

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The New Covenant

• Hebrews 87-13
• Sunday May 18, 2008

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Background

• Covenant
• OT Numerous examples (300 times) First
  mentioned Gen.618 Mainly in human relations
• NT Relatively rare (33 times) 2/3 in
  Hebrews 4x - the Lords Supper (Mat.2628
  Mk.1424 Lk.2220 1 Cor.1125) Rest mainly
  relating to the Old Covenant

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Background

• Covenant defined
• Testamentary will (original Greek
  meaning)(Heb.916,17)
• An agreement or contract between 2 parties (1
  Sam.183 208 Gen.2127 1 Ki.512 2034)
• An obligation made by one party to another
  (Jer.3418,19)
• Examples Your last will and testament A Union
  contract A marriage contract

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Background

• Why a covenant?
• Goes beyond a promise like a binding oath
  (Gal.315-18)
• Tangible and visible evidence (rainbow,
  circumcision, etc.)
• Provides evidence to the human beneficiary
• Contract versus a handshake
• Suggestion
• Adam had no need of a covenant
• Why? Because God was present with him (Gen.38)
• Today, God is present in the believer

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Background

• Examples of Gods covenant in the past
• Adam Gods instructions not stated in covenant
  terms
• Noah God alone, to all people, Gods rainbow
  (Gen.6-9)
• Abraham God alone, to his people, mans
  circumcision (Gen.15,17,21)
• Moses - two parties God Israel, mans
  Sabbath (Ex.19,24,31,34)
• David two parties God and David, Gods
  temple (2 Chron.718 135 217)

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Background

• Gods eternal covenant (Heb.1320)
• Two parties Father and Son, to all believers,
  sealed in Christs blood
• Was probated upon the death of the testator
  Jesus Christ The heirs you and I The
  inheritance every blessing in Christ, eternal
  life The seal/sign the indwelling Holy
  Spirit

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Today

• Gods Future Covenant
• The New Covenant (Heb.87-13)
• Outline1. The Context 2. The Character New
  and different from the Old Covenant3. The
  Confusion Changing interpretation and
  application of the passage4. The Conclusion
  its implication for me today

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I. Its Context

• This is the longest OT quotation in the NT
• Comes from Jeremiah 3131-34
• Judahs hope of restoration from captivity
  (chs.30-34) Specific promise to Israel and Judah
  (303) Yoke of bondage broken (308) Enemies
  utterly destroyed (3011) City and temple
  rebuilt (3018) Gathered in Jerusalem
  (319) The New Covenant (3131-34) The
  certainty (3135,36)
• Hebrews written to Jewish Christians Gives the
  big picture of Gods plans for Israel

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II. Its Character

• It is future (vs.8a, 10a, 13)
• It is New as compared to the Old Covenant (vs.8b,
  9)
• It is with Israel and Judah (vs.8c, 10a)
• It is inner Gods Laws within their heart and
  mind (vs.10b) Gods Laws Mosaic or law of the
  Spirit of life in Christ (Rom.82)
• It is intimate their God/My people (vs.10c)
• It is perfect no need of teachers (vs.11)
• Their past sins will be put away (vs.12)

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A Contrast

• The New Covenant The True Church
• Israel and Judah The born again Christian
• Laws in hearts Holy Spirit within
• Universal knowledge All stages of growth
• No teachers Bible teachers
• Two party Contract Inherited benefits
• Past sins forgiven All sins forgiven

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III. Its Confusion

• Two frameworks for understanding
  Scripture Covenant or Dispensational Figurative
  or literal Israel Church or Israel distinct
  from the Church
• Dispensational interpretations A. Pauline
  dispensational 1830 to 1950 B. Melded
  dispensational post 1950s
• Changing interpretations Difference between
  interpretation and application Why the change in
  interpretation? If it is progressive
  illumination we can never know the truth!

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III. Its Confusion

• Dispensational interpretations
• A. Pauline dispensational 1830 to 1950
• - This new covenant refers to Israel in the
  Millennium
• - The new covenant in my blood of the Lords
  Supper refers to Gods eternal covenant of
  which we are beneficiaries.
• - The rule of life for the believer is the
  risen Christ
• B. Melded dispensational post 1950s
• - Some aspects of this new covenant are
  applied to the church
• - The believer in Christ is in a covenantal
  relationship with God
• - The Law applies but the Holy spirit is the
  enabler

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IV. The Conclusion

• What you believe affects your value system and
  your behaviour.
• Christian truth goes far beyond a contractual
  relationship with God. It is not God placing us
  under His commands but God in the person of the
  Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He directs and
  empowers us. This is something entirely new. (Not
  a tempest in a timbit but joint ownership in the
  enterprise)
• This goes far beyond even the relationship of
  Adam in the Garden. God communed with Adam but
  God dwells within us. The seal of this
  relationship is the Holy Spirit.
• By Christs death we have become beneficiaries of
  all of Gods blessings.

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Application