Text: Romans 8:1-8 Title: GOD DID
Introduction
As we come so near to the celebration of Easter I wanted to study a text that dealt with the reason for Christ Jesus’ coming. We all know the straightforward reason of why He came- to die for our sins, but I want to go over some of the specifics and some of the outcomes. I chose a text that is deep in a discussion of law and grace. In these few verses we find many details so I would like to focus on the third verse though I will lead us into it with the other verses of our main text. This section in the epistle to the Romans begins in chapter 6 verse 14 which says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” How did we pass from law to grace? What is the significance of doing so?
Let us READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
V1. Declares Justification
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
God has reversed the guilty verdict that we all were given. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Yet now God declares us Justified because we are “in Christ Jesus.” Of course, there are existing consequences for our sins now, but what the Scripture is teaching is that there are no eternal ramifications for our sins if we are in Christ. So we are free from condemnation NOT because we are sinless, but because we are in Christ Jesus.
V2. Declares Sanctification
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Law is a “way of life.” There is a law of Christ- it is LOVE.
The law of sin and death = Eternal consequences and DEATH
The law of the Spirit = NO condemnation and LIFE
2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We follow the law of the Spirit which is liberty and in this liberty we are called to serve one another (Galatians 5:13 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”).
VERSE THREE
I. The Weakness of the Law
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh”
The law could/can name one’s sin and could pronounce judgment on it, but nothing else. If the law could not fix sin nor put it to death then all it was doing was adding up one’s transgressions and sins and trespasses and failures. Though the chief weakness of the law was and is the FLESH. The Law cannot be criticized for its weakness- only the participants.
II. God Did
“God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh”
Christ Jesus shared in the essential human nature- flesh and blood, bones and marrow. Jesus was in fact God as a physical human being, but only in the “likeness of sinful flesh.” “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.” “(Our High Priest) was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” It was God who did something. “While we were still sinners Christ…” It took a mighty act of God to save us. It took a mighty act of God to reverse the guilty verdict. “What the law could not do- GOD. GOD DID. This is what Easter is all about. This is what Good Friday is all about.
III. He Condemned Sin
“on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh”
What was it that God intervened to do? Condemn Sin. The condemnation is now off of us and onto SIN. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.”
V4. Just Requirement
The just requirement of the law was fulfilled in God’s condemnation of sin. The “just requirement of the law” is surely love.
*References:
1. James 2:8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.”
2. Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
3. Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Christ has fulfilled the just requirement of the law and it is applied to us when we believe in Him, put our faith in Him, and when we treasure Him.
Conclusion
Verse 5 is a fitting idea to reiterate as a conclusion- Let us set our minds on the Spirit.
We do not strive to be justified or sanctified by the works of the flesh, but by the fruit of the Spirit. A vine does not produce grapes by any demand that is made. It produces fruit that comes out of its own life. When we participate in the divine nature and we are in Christ then fruit will be produced out of Christ’s own life not by any demand. Until we are in Christ Jesus and setting our minds on the things of the Spirit, we…are…dying.
The question is left as this- verse one:
Are you in Christ Jesus?
The Excellency of Christ - 2 Peter 1:1-4
Text: 2 Peter 1:1-4 Title: The Excellency of Christ
V1.
Equal Faith (“as precious” or “like same” = literally “equally privileged”)
We have a common bond that can bring us together if we allow. We have received the same precious faith. There is something special that brings us together. We are not all individuals in this place with different agendas. No! We have the same belief, the same love, the same Lord, and the same Spirit. The same Spirit that proceeds from the Father into our lives and dwells among us as a church, the living Temple of the living God. We are all connected by the love of the Savior and the Spirit that is in this place now. Let us lay aside our own individual agendas, lay aside our negativities, lay aside our baggage and bad experiences that are now in the past. Lay all of these aside and focus your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We have a like precious faith.
Righteousness of Jesus Christ
And we have this faith BY the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. This verse is rich with doctrine. It is not just a formal, standardized opening to a letter. We read the assertion that Jesus is God, that Jesus is Savior, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Jesus’ righteousness is what our faith is in. It is not our righteousness that we trust in, for we would surely perish, but it is the righteousness of a sinless Savior and His righteousness alone.
V2.
We all want grace and peace to be multiplied to us, but He doesn’t simply say that. He says, “in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
Grace and peace are multiplied to us and are nurtured in us the more knowledge we have of the One who gives it. Where can we find this knowledge? In culture, or government, or public schools? No, No, No. Knowledge must be put in its Christian context. We can only find it in the Word of God- the Bible. That is why we devote time to the sermon during our worship hour, that’s why we have Sunday School, and Wednesday night Bible Study. We do this because we want peace and grace multiplied in our souls, in our homes, and in this church. We need it…We want it…Don’t we???
This word "knowledge" is not the simple word that is most often used in the New Testament.
This word means a thorough knowledge. A thorough and sanctifying knowledge. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
All things that pertain to life and godliness
Peter reminds Christians that we have been given everything that we need to become spiritually mature and fully equipped. Thus we have the responsibility, no excuses, to use every resource that we have been given. We have God’s Word, we have God’s Spirit, we have teachers, and we have each other. Don’t take advantage of the resources that God has blessed you with and this church.
V3.
Divine Power
The power of God is the effect of His Word. The Spirit can work in you when you are in God’s Word. That power has given us all things for life and godliness. Once again this power which gives us all these things comes through knowledge. The knowledge of Him (Christ).
He has called US.
V4.
Exceedingly Great and Precious
The knowledge of Jesus Christ applies to us Exceedingly great and precious promises. Through those promises we become part of the divine nature. We have escaped the corruption of the world. We participate in the Divine Nature when we think like Christ.
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” It comes by the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and thus transforms us (Rom. 12)
We long for the Divine Nature
Corruption = regression, disintegration
Divine nature = progression, restoration
That common bond that we have resurfaces in these words. We have all become part of the divine nature. We are different. We are unique. We have a common goal- To be molded by God into the image of His Son.
Conclusion
Peter focuses on Godly knowledge at the beginning of this letter and at the end of this letter.
2 Peter 3:17-18 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
V1.
Equal Faith (“as precious” or “like same” = literally “equally privileged”)
We have a common bond that can bring us together if we allow. We have received the same precious faith. There is something special that brings us together. We are not all individuals in this place with different agendas. No! We have the same belief, the same love, the same Lord, and the same Spirit. The same Spirit that proceeds from the Father into our lives and dwells among us as a church, the living Temple of the living God. We are all connected by the love of the Savior and the Spirit that is in this place now. Let us lay aside our own individual agendas, lay aside our negativities, lay aside our baggage and bad experiences that are now in the past. Lay all of these aside and focus your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We have a like precious faith.
Righteousness of Jesus Christ
And we have this faith BY the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. This verse is rich with doctrine. It is not just a formal, standardized opening to a letter. We read the assertion that Jesus is God, that Jesus is Savior, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Jesus’ righteousness is what our faith is in. It is not our righteousness that we trust in, for we would surely perish, but it is the righteousness of a sinless Savior and His righteousness alone.
V2.
We all want grace and peace to be multiplied to us, but He doesn’t simply say that. He says, “in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
Grace and peace are multiplied to us and are nurtured in us the more knowledge we have of the One who gives it. Where can we find this knowledge? In culture, or government, or public schools? No, No, No. Knowledge must be put in its Christian context. We can only find it in the Word of God- the Bible. That is why we devote time to the sermon during our worship hour, that’s why we have Sunday School, and Wednesday night Bible Study. We do this because we want peace and grace multiplied in our souls, in our homes, and in this church. We need it…We want it…Don’t we???
This word "knowledge" is not the simple word that is most often used in the New Testament.
This word means a thorough knowledge. A thorough and sanctifying knowledge. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
All things that pertain to life and godliness
Peter reminds Christians that we have been given everything that we need to become spiritually mature and fully equipped. Thus we have the responsibility, no excuses, to use every resource that we have been given. We have God’s Word, we have God’s Spirit, we have teachers, and we have each other. Don’t take advantage of the resources that God has blessed you with and this church.
V3.
Divine Power
The power of God is the effect of His Word. The Spirit can work in you when you are in God’s Word. That power has given us all things for life and godliness. Once again this power which gives us all these things comes through knowledge. The knowledge of Him (Christ).
He has called US.
V4.
Exceedingly Great and Precious
The knowledge of Jesus Christ applies to us Exceedingly great and precious promises. Through those promises we become part of the divine nature. We have escaped the corruption of the world. We participate in the Divine Nature when we think like Christ.
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” It comes by the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and thus transforms us (Rom. 12)
We long for the Divine Nature
Corruption = regression, disintegration
Divine nature = progression, restoration
That common bond that we have resurfaces in these words. We have all become part of the divine nature. We are different. We are unique. We have a common goal- To be molded by God into the image of His Son.
Conclusion
Peter focuses on Godly knowledge at the beginning of this letter and at the end of this letter.
2 Peter 3:17-18 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
The Excellency of Christ - Colossians 1:15-20
Introduction:
Islam teaches that Jesus was a great prophet, but not even the last or greatest of the prophets. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is a god, but not the God. Mormons teach that Jesus was the first being born in heaven and that Lucifer is His brother, obviously not believing that Jesus is the God of all eternity. Buddhism says that Jesus was a great person, but surely rejects the Biblical Jesus. Do we truly have a response to these things? Do we believe what the world says or do we believe what the Bible says?
Internal Preview:
The Bible gives us much doctrine on who Jesus is and it cannot be discussed briefly, but we will look at a passage today that teaches on the excellency of Christ, specifically dealing with His preeminence. The English definition of one that is preeminent is one who has paramount rank, dignity, or importance; outstanding and supreme are English synonyms. Our main text today will teach us that Jesus is far above, He is first in everything, and that it is His divine work on the cross that makes peace of all things. It is believed by most commentators that Colossians 1:15-20 was probably a first century Christian hymn that is rich with doctrine of who Jesus, our Lord, really is.
READ SCRIPTURE- This is the Word of God
Point 1: Jesus Stands as the Beginning of the First Creation
A. The He of verses 15 and 18 is “the Son of His love” from verse 13.
B. Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
a. Jesus IS (eternally) the image, we were merely created IN the image.
b. Jesus, the Son, has always been the image of God.
C. Firstborn over all creation
a. Despite our view of the word “born” this teaches that Christ is first in rank.
b. It also means that He has priority in time.
c. You know that in Hebrew culture that the idea of firstborn privileges did not always go to
the firstborn in terms of time. Sometimes it was one that was chosen.
d. The one chosen, whether first or second or last, was the one that carried the firstborn status
of being the heir of the father and enjoying highest rank.
e. It is also a title that belongs to Christ as a descendant of David.
D. All things came to be “by Him,” “through Him,” and “for Him.” <-His creative activity. a. By Him or In Him- Christ is the originating center of creation. b. Through Him- He is the mediating agent through whom it actually came to be. c. For Him- Christ is the end. He is the goal of creation. aa. Proverbs 16:4 “The LORD has made all for Himself.” bb. Isaiah 44:24 “I am the LORD, who makes all things.” E. He has created all things. a. Dualistic false teachers, probably in Colosse, taught that angelic beings created the earth. The Apostle thwarts that idea and undoubtedly states that Christ is truly the Lord of heaven and earth. b. One cannot ignore the sharp distinction of Christ from creation. aa. Some non-Christians try to make Him part of creation. bb. He stands outside of creation- By, Through, and For. c. Visible and Invisible- Christ has created it. d. Whether it be earthly thrones and dominions or heavenly powers and authorities, it is Christ that created, permits, and sovereignly rules over. Christ created the angelic beings. F. Verse 17 summarizes what has been said thus far about the first creation. a. All things consist in Him- He keeps everything in command and not in chaos. b. He is the sustainer and also the unifier. He holds all things together. Connective: Now we move from Christ’s superiority over the first creation to His superiority over the new creation.
Point 2: Jesus Stands as the Beginning of the New Creation
A. He is the Head of the Body, the church
a. Since is over all things, it is also true of the church.
b. He is the Head of His own Body.
c. The church (Body) is a living organism and the means for Christ to work.
B. The “He” here is emphatic. In the Greek it is repeated for that emphasis.
a. Christ alone is the Head of the church.
b. He, as in distinction from all others, is the Head of His body (church).
C. The beginning, the firstborn from the dead
a. He again takes preeminence in time and rank of the new creation.
b. Christ does the same in resurrection that He did in the beginning.
aa. He is the first of a new kingdom and creation. We also will be raised.
bb. His creative activity has always been intimate and real.
D. All things He may have the preeminence-
a. Whether it be old or new, He is first.
b. No matter what He stands as the beginning.
Connective: Finally we will transition into verses 19 and 20 which conclude this hymn.
Point 3: Divinity and Divine Work
A. The glory of the Lord filled Jesus, but not just glory, but all that God is filled Jesus.
B. Colossians 2:9 explains this in more depth.
a. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
b. All of the fullness of the Deity.
c. John 1:16 “And of His fullness we have all received.”
C. Jesus, the Messiah, is the Prince of Peace- Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Conclusion:
Christ’s preeminence extends to the first creation as well as the new creation.
All things are under God’s control, for it has been bought with Christ’s blood.
Islam teaches that Jesus was a great prophet, but not even the last or greatest of the prophets. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is a god, but not the God. Mormons teach that Jesus was the first being born in heaven and that Lucifer is His brother, obviously not believing that Jesus is the God of all eternity. Buddhism says that Jesus was a great person, but surely rejects the Biblical Jesus. Do we truly have a response to these things? Do we believe what the world says or do we believe what the Bible says?
Internal Preview:
The Bible gives us much doctrine on who Jesus is and it cannot be discussed briefly, but we will look at a passage today that teaches on the excellency of Christ, specifically dealing with His preeminence. The English definition of one that is preeminent is one who has paramount rank, dignity, or importance; outstanding and supreme are English synonyms. Our main text today will teach us that Jesus is far above, He is first in everything, and that it is His divine work on the cross that makes peace of all things. It is believed by most commentators that Colossians 1:15-20 was probably a first century Christian hymn that is rich with doctrine of who Jesus, our Lord, really is.
READ SCRIPTURE- This is the Word of God
Point 1: Jesus Stands as the Beginning of the First Creation
A. The He of verses 15 and 18 is “the Son of His love” from verse 13.
B. Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
a. Jesus IS (eternally) the image, we were merely created IN the image.
b. Jesus, the Son, has always been the image of God.
C. Firstborn over all creation
a. Despite our view of the word “born” this teaches that Christ is first in rank.
b. It also means that He has priority in time.
c. You know that in Hebrew culture that the idea of firstborn privileges did not always go to
the firstborn in terms of time. Sometimes it was one that was chosen.
d. The one chosen, whether first or second or last, was the one that carried the firstborn status
of being the heir of the father and enjoying highest rank.
e. It is also a title that belongs to Christ as a descendant of David.
D. All things came to be “by Him,” “through Him,” and “for Him.” <-His creative activity. a. By Him or In Him- Christ is the originating center of creation. b. Through Him- He is the mediating agent through whom it actually came to be. c. For Him- Christ is the end. He is the goal of creation. aa. Proverbs 16:4 “The LORD has made all for Himself.” bb. Isaiah 44:24 “I am the LORD, who makes all things.” E. He has created all things. a. Dualistic false teachers, probably in Colosse, taught that angelic beings created the earth. The Apostle thwarts that idea and undoubtedly states that Christ is truly the Lord of heaven and earth. b. One cannot ignore the sharp distinction of Christ from creation. aa. Some non-Christians try to make Him part of creation. bb. He stands outside of creation- By, Through, and For. c. Visible and Invisible- Christ has created it. d. Whether it be earthly thrones and dominions or heavenly powers and authorities, it is Christ that created, permits, and sovereignly rules over. Christ created the angelic beings. F. Verse 17 summarizes what has been said thus far about the first creation. a. All things consist in Him- He keeps everything in command and not in chaos. b. He is the sustainer and also the unifier. He holds all things together. Connective: Now we move from Christ’s superiority over the first creation to His superiority over the new creation.
Point 2: Jesus Stands as the Beginning of the New Creation
A. He is the Head of the Body, the church
a. Since is over all things, it is also true of the church.
b. He is the Head of His own Body.
c. The church (Body) is a living organism and the means for Christ to work.
B. The “He” here is emphatic. In the Greek it is repeated for that emphasis.
a. Christ alone is the Head of the church.
b. He, as in distinction from all others, is the Head of His body (church).
C. The beginning, the firstborn from the dead
a. He again takes preeminence in time and rank of the new creation.
b. Christ does the same in resurrection that He did in the beginning.
aa. He is the first of a new kingdom and creation. We also will be raised.
bb. His creative activity has always been intimate and real.
D. All things He may have the preeminence-
a. Whether it be old or new, He is first.
b. No matter what He stands as the beginning.
Connective: Finally we will transition into verses 19 and 20 which conclude this hymn.
Point 3: Divinity and Divine Work
A. The glory of the Lord filled Jesus, but not just glory, but all that God is filled Jesus.
B. Colossians 2:9 explains this in more depth.
a. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
b. All of the fullness of the Deity.
c. John 1:16 “And of His fullness we have all received.”
C. Jesus, the Messiah, is the Prince of Peace- Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Conclusion:
Christ’s preeminence extends to the first creation as well as the new creation.
All things are under God’s control, for it has been bought with Christ’s blood.
The Excellency of Christ - Hebrews 8:6-13
Introduction:
I have been working under the assumption that we are on the same page when it comes to salvation, but because of my sermon last week, it is probably best if I explain myself. I was born and raised in the Christian Church and have been trained by Christian Church ministers, so I know what is defended in our tradition. We believe that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ and that the proper response is the Biblical response- believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and persevere to the end. I am in agreement with this and I believe that the Scripture teaches this response. Many times we become very rigid in our explanation of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. God has become flesh and blood and died a sinless man to pay for the sins of the world. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and thus mankind needed a restoration of the relationship that was originally intended. Christ has reconciled us by His blood on that cross.
TURN to Ephesians 2:4-10. Salvation comes by faith in what Christ has done. It is only by Christ's merits that we stand "without blemish." Believing is non-meritorious.
I suppose that it must be explicitly said that salvation is yours and you will never perish if you do not abandon the faith. One can forfeit salvation if they deny what they have tasted and seen. Therefore it is not that once you are saved you are always saved. It is once you believe you must continue in that lest you extinguish your faith and forfeit salvation. I will give you two texts to demonstrate this point.
TURN to 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “if’
TURN to Colossians 1:19-23 “if’
Salvation is only by faith in the works of Christ. You can not earn salvation! Once you receive this salvation from the wrath that is to come, then you must continue in it. Good works become a vital role in ones faith. Good works can develop and nurture your faith. So we should no longer stay in sin, because we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. If we continue to sin, it will destroy our faith and may lead us to the point of forfeiting the salvation that is so freely given to us.
Internal Preview:
With all of this said it leads me to today’s text. For the next three sermons, including today’s talk, we will focus on the excellency of Christ. I will set out to show you that Christ is the one that has brought us all of the great promises and it is because of Him that we may LIVE. If you are on the border line thinking “I am not sure if I believe all this Christian business” then these sermons are for you. If you have believed then I pray that these sermons will strengthen your faith. Christ is more excellent than all.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
Point 1: A More Excellent Ministry
The Scripture teaches us that the new covenant is a better covenant than the first. Since the new covenant is a better covenant, Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry, with Him being the Mediator of this new covenant. Mediator meaning that Christ has become the means of the new covenant. It is in fact solidified by His blood. The work of Christ is much more valuable than the work of the Levitical priesthood, as noble as their work may have been. Christ can atone for sins with His own blood. As a result of the work of Christ, our Mediator, the new covenant offer better promises. Salvation, eternal life, indwelling of the Holy Spirit- these are all better promises.
Point 2: Fault with the Old Covenant
One thing should be clear- the Old Covenant is not at fault. Fault is always known to be from the weakness of the flesh (our weaknesses). Verse 8 says, “Finding fault with them.” The LORD’s rejection of the Old Covenant is always explained in terms of the lack of faithfulness by the recipients of the covenant. We could never internalize the Law and follow it the way God directed. We are weak and sinful. We know the rebellion and failure of Israel.
Point 3: Jeremiah Passage
It is the LORD that initiates the covenants including the New Covenant and no person ever has stipulations for God’s covenants. God lays down the terms and we simply listen and agree or disagree if one would so choose! House of Israel/House of Judah: Had been separated, but God willed for them to be united. Though the one had become two, God promised unity and it would be God Himself who would see that this would come to pass. It was a promise from God. Verses 10-11 offer the promises that we have to look forward to: When the next age comes (new heaven), God will write His laws on our hearts and minds. When the Kingdom comes fruition, all of those citizens will know the LORD. And verse 12 is the qualifier. It is because of forgiveness that these things will be. We must work from verse 12 back to verses 10 and 11.
Point 4: New Covenant Superiority V. 13
True forgiveness was never accomplished under the Old Covenant. True forgiveness could only come by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:4 compares the blood of bulls and goats to the blood of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could never atone for sin, but the blood of the sinless God-man is a different story. What does vanishing away mean? It was not long after this that the Temple was destroyed and old covenant practices were done away with. Temple worship and offerings have not been done since 70 A.D. It is becoming a thing of ancient history (vanishing).
It must be said that the old covenant spoken of here is not the Old Testament. The covenant is specifically the rituals, food regulations, offering, and sacrifices. These are not binding on us today because of the new covenant. Yes the moral implications that are taught under the new covenant teach us how to function under God’s direction, but that is drastically different from the covenant rituals. What is New exactly? It is the relationship that we may have with God. The old covenant could never establish the relationship with God that we have now through Christ Jesus. This relationship is established on the fact that forgiveness of sin is attained. READ 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Scripture teaches us how to function under the new covenant. We are not bound to the ritual of the old. The Old Testament is the Word of God and is highly valuable, for there is no understanding of the New Testament without the Old. So in summary- the Old Testament is the Word of God and lasts forever, but the Old Covenant is the specific rituals (i.e. food regulations, offerings, sacrifices, traditions) and is vanishing away.
Conclusion:
What can be said of these things? Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry than the
ministers of the old covenant.
Christ has brought true forgiveness of sins by His blood on the cross.
Christ offers a true relationship with God by that atonement.
Christ offers better promises.
A New and more Excellent Covenant is established in Christ.
I have been working under the assumption that we are on the same page when it comes to salvation, but because of my sermon last week, it is probably best if I explain myself. I was born and raised in the Christian Church and have been trained by Christian Church ministers, so I know what is defended in our tradition. We believe that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ and that the proper response is the Biblical response- believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and persevere to the end. I am in agreement with this and I believe that the Scripture teaches this response. Many times we become very rigid in our explanation of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. God has become flesh and blood and died a sinless man to pay for the sins of the world. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and thus mankind needed a restoration of the relationship that was originally intended. Christ has reconciled us by His blood on that cross.
TURN to Ephesians 2:4-10. Salvation comes by faith in what Christ has done. It is only by Christ's merits that we stand "without blemish." Believing is non-meritorious.
I suppose that it must be explicitly said that salvation is yours and you will never perish if you do not abandon the faith. One can forfeit salvation if they deny what they have tasted and seen. Therefore it is not that once you are saved you are always saved. It is once you believe you must continue in that lest you extinguish your faith and forfeit salvation. I will give you two texts to demonstrate this point.
TURN to 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “if’
TURN to Colossians 1:19-23 “if’
Salvation is only by faith in the works of Christ. You can not earn salvation! Once you receive this salvation from the wrath that is to come, then you must continue in it. Good works become a vital role in ones faith. Good works can develop and nurture your faith. So we should no longer stay in sin, because we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. If we continue to sin, it will destroy our faith and may lead us to the point of forfeiting the salvation that is so freely given to us.
Internal Preview:
With all of this said it leads me to today’s text. For the next three sermons, including today’s talk, we will focus on the excellency of Christ. I will set out to show you that Christ is the one that has brought us all of the great promises and it is because of Him that we may LIVE. If you are on the border line thinking “I am not sure if I believe all this Christian business” then these sermons are for you. If you have believed then I pray that these sermons will strengthen your faith. Christ is more excellent than all.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
Point 1: A More Excellent Ministry
The Scripture teaches us that the new covenant is a better covenant than the first. Since the new covenant is a better covenant, Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry, with Him being the Mediator of this new covenant. Mediator meaning that Christ has become the means of the new covenant. It is in fact solidified by His blood. The work of Christ is much more valuable than the work of the Levitical priesthood, as noble as their work may have been. Christ can atone for sins with His own blood. As a result of the work of Christ, our Mediator, the new covenant offer better promises. Salvation, eternal life, indwelling of the Holy Spirit- these are all better promises.
Point 2: Fault with the Old Covenant
One thing should be clear- the Old Covenant is not at fault. Fault is always known to be from the weakness of the flesh (our weaknesses). Verse 8 says, “Finding fault with them.” The LORD’s rejection of the Old Covenant is always explained in terms of the lack of faithfulness by the recipients of the covenant. We could never internalize the Law and follow it the way God directed. We are weak and sinful. We know the rebellion and failure of Israel.
Point 3: Jeremiah Passage
It is the LORD that initiates the covenants including the New Covenant and no person ever has stipulations for God’s covenants. God lays down the terms and we simply listen and agree or disagree if one would so choose! House of Israel/House of Judah: Had been separated, but God willed for them to be united. Though the one had become two, God promised unity and it would be God Himself who would see that this would come to pass. It was a promise from God. Verses 10-11 offer the promises that we have to look forward to: When the next age comes (new heaven), God will write His laws on our hearts and minds. When the Kingdom comes fruition, all of those citizens will know the LORD. And verse 12 is the qualifier. It is because of forgiveness that these things will be. We must work from verse 12 back to verses 10 and 11.
Point 4: New Covenant Superiority V. 13
True forgiveness was never accomplished under the Old Covenant. True forgiveness could only come by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:4 compares the blood of bulls and goats to the blood of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could never atone for sin, but the blood of the sinless God-man is a different story. What does vanishing away mean? It was not long after this that the Temple was destroyed and old covenant practices were done away with. Temple worship and offerings have not been done since 70 A.D. It is becoming a thing of ancient history (vanishing).
It must be said that the old covenant spoken of here is not the Old Testament. The covenant is specifically the rituals, food regulations, offering, and sacrifices. These are not binding on us today because of the new covenant. Yes the moral implications that are taught under the new covenant teach us how to function under God’s direction, but that is drastically different from the covenant rituals. What is New exactly? It is the relationship that we may have with God. The old covenant could never establish the relationship with God that we have now through Christ Jesus. This relationship is established on the fact that forgiveness of sin is attained. READ 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Scripture teaches us how to function under the new covenant. We are not bound to the ritual of the old. The Old Testament is the Word of God and is highly valuable, for there is no understanding of the New Testament without the Old. So in summary- the Old Testament is the Word of God and lasts forever, but the Old Covenant is the specific rituals (i.e. food regulations, offerings, sacrifices, traditions) and is vanishing away.
Conclusion:
What can be said of these things? Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry than the
ministers of the old covenant.
Christ has brought true forgiveness of sins by His blood on the cross.
Christ offers a true relationship with God by that atonement.
Christ offers better promises.
A New and more Excellent Covenant is established in Christ.
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