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Home Up The Curse of Sin God's Covenant With Abraham The Ratification of the Law of Moses God's Covenant With David A Promise of a New Covenant

A PROMISE OF A NEW COVENANT

Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Introduction:
 I. In our study of the key passages of the O. T., we have seen:
    A. In Genesis 3, the introduction of sin, then in chapters 3-11 
       - the curse of sin.
    B. In Genesis 12, the beginning of God's plan for the solution of 
       the problem of sin.
    C. In Exodus 24, the children of Israel's covenant with God is 
       ratified.
       1. This provided the nation of Israel a law by which the 
          people would be governed.
       2. It revealed the character (the holiness) of God and the 
          terribleness of sin.
       3. It provided a temporary reconciliation and forgiveness 
          of sins.
    D. In II Samuel 7, God's covenant with David.
II. This brings us to the fifth key passage of the Old Testament.  
    Read the text.
Body:
  I. Why is this a key passage?  This is the first clear statement 
     that the covenant in Exodus 24 was not permanent.
 II. What is the LORD saying here?
      A. When an Israelite was born physically, he:
         1. Had to be taught about God.
         2. And had to be taught about the law.
         3. And he was required to keep it because he was a 
            physical descendant of Jacob.  (No choice about it)
         4. The law pertained mainly to external rites and 
            ceremonies (although attitude of heart was very 
            important).
         5. Forgiveness was only temporary.  Hebrews 7:11, 18-19; 
            9:15 
         6. And the children of Israel failed to keep their part 
            of the covenant.
            a. The golden calf within 40 days.
            b. Only two adults entered into the promise land.
            c. The days of the judges.
            d. Etc.
      B. Therefore God would replace the old covenant with a new 
         one.
         1. Those would enter into this new covenant with a new 
            one.
            a. Do so because he wanted to.
            b. Already have been taught the law and about God.
            c. Have entered into a new relationship with God.
            d. And this would be an internal religion.
            e. Have complete and total forgiveness.  (This is 
               the key part)
 
III. When did or has it taken effect.
     A. The premillennialist states that the new covenant in 
        Jeremiah 31 is with physical Israel and since the 
        gospel (the covenant of Jesus) includes both Jews and 
        Gentiles, it cannot be it.  It is yet in the future.
        1. Cf. THE BASIS OF PREMILLENNIAL FAITH.
        2. Mr. Benton in the first See-Benton debate:  "God is 
           in the progress of changing it.  He is changing it.  
           But it has not yet gone into effect."
        3. Yet, they want:
           a. The Mediator of the New Covenant.
           b. The Blood of the New Covenant.
           c. The Priesthood of the New Covenant.
           d. The Lord's Supper of the New Covenant.
           e. The Salvation of the New Covenant.
     B. Let us turn to the scriptures and see:
        1. Luke 3:8; Romans 2:28-29; 4:11-12; Galatians 3:6-7, 29.
        2. Hebrews 8:6-13.
        3. Hebrews 7:12.
        4. Hebrews 10:9.
        5. II Corinthians 3.
        6. Romans 7:1-7.
        7. Matthews 26:28.
This lesson is based on material from a class that Phil Roberts 
taught at the Lakeview church of Christ in Hendersonville, TN.
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