Hebrews 8:1-13

The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If He were on earth, He would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.

For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

By calling this covenant "new," He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. (In reality, what Jesus made obsolete was the punishment of the law. No one could keep it anyway. Jesus stated, (Matthew 5:17) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” As a matter of fact, He added another law (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.") [He was quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5.]

Our Covenant With God

Hebrews 8:1-13

The scripture is printed in the column on the left side of your screen.

I. Introduction

As we consider a covenant with God we should look at why we would even want one! So often we are afraid that God wants to take something away from us… in reality He wants to give us a LOT! It is best summarized by the words of our Lord to Mary at the tomb. John 20:17. Jesus said, "Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " When you and I are in covenant with God, He is our Father and our God, just as He is Father and God to Jesus!

Starting today we are entering into a very exciting study! If I present it right and you and I grasp the message that God has for us, we will be changed forever!

I just cringe when I hear someone say that they are a “saved sinner” or “one of God’s children struggling to make it safely into heaven when this life is over.” Let me assure you, that is NOT what God planned! He has a covenant with us that guarantees our success if we follow his plan for our lives!

Our family moved to the Lindsey Addition north of Kingfisher when the kids were still very small. We were one of the first families to live there. Each lot was about an acre, so we had lots of room. Then we decided to buy the lot next to ours so the kids could have some horses or raise some pigs.

But we couldn’t do it. Why? We had agreed to the covenant when we moved in. The covenant did not allow horses and pigs. I was frustrated for a while, but I decided that no more than I knew about such things it was probably for my benefit.

A few years later, when more families moved to that area, I was thankful for the same covenant, for it kept property values up.

A covenant is a set of rules that is designed to protect us. God has a covenant with us, and it is designed for our benefit. At times we may disagree with Him – I certainly have – but after all, He is God and He does know best!

We probably will not get very far in Hebrews 8 today because I want to lay a foundation on covenants, then we will get serious about Hebrews chapter 8 – 10 starting next week.

What is a covenant? It is an agreement between two people, a group of people, or for our purposes, an agreement between God and the human race.

Studying about covenants will give us a new appreciation of the Old Testament, for if we understand the Old Testament we can better understand the New.

Incidentally, one can safely substitute the word “Covenant” for “Testament.” Thus the Old Testament is God’s original covenant with mankind, and the New Testament is the New Covenant, put in order by the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Since He was resurrected, He can know that the covenant is being fulfilled as He planned.

II. Covenants in the Old Testament were designed for

1. Mutual protection. Laban made Jacob promise to protect Laban’s daughters (who were Jacob’s wives). (Genesis 31:49-52)

2. Securing peace. Joshua made an alliance with the Gibeonites. Even though it was based on a deception, Joshua honored his word. Covenants are binding, so be careful with whom you make a covenant. (Joshua 9:15, 21)

- And be prepared to keep your covenant with God even if what He is asking isn’t that appealing.

- This is where we often miss it with God. We seem to think that His commands are either “suggestions” or “options” when, in fact, He is God and you and I definitely are not!

3. Friendship (1 Samuel 18:3) Jonathan and David became “one in spirit” with each other. They made a covenant with each other even though Jonathan’s dad, King Saul, was out to kill David because of jealousy. Jonathan was willing to give up his rights to the throne because he saw the hand of God on David. 2 Samuel 9 tells the story of Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan. David wanted to show someone in Jonathan’s family kindness because of their covenant.

4. Promoting Commerce (1 Kings 5:6-11) This is the alliance (Covenant) between King Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, so the cedars of Lebanon could be cut to build the Temple.

III. The Covenant of the New Testament

In the Old Covenant, the symbol for a covenant was the shedding of blood… at first it was the blood of animals. When Adam and Eve sinned God used the skin of animals to make clothes for them. The animals died to cover their sin. This did not eradicate the sin; it only covered it until the perfect sacrifice could be made.

When God was ready to raise up a new nation through Abraham, the symbol became a little more personal. Abraham’s sign of the covenant was circumcision. He had to shed his own blood!

When God was ready to institute the New Covenant, He needed a perfect sacrifice. So He turned to His Son, who took on flesh and became Jesus the Christ. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins He did the work once and for all!

No more blood needs to be shed for your sins or my sins or the sins of our children and grandchildren. No more animals have to die, and no more men need to be circumcised for the sake of a covenant with God.

What a bargain! How can we get in on this deal?

1. Through what we believe! John 3:16-18, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

2. Through what we say! But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:8-10

In the evening hours just before His death, Jesus had communion with His disciples. You will remember that communion is the sign of the new covenant. It was also an OT custom. In reality, Judas was renewing his covenant with Jesus. And so were Peter and all of the rest of the men. Part of communion is the breaking of bread. John 13:26, 27 "Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.' Then dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him." Verse 30 states, "As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night."

When Judas realized fully what he had done… that he had broken covenant with Jesus... he was so overcome with guilt and fear that he committed suicide. In many cultures of the world, even today, if you break covenant you will be hunted down and murdered. In our society we sue you or put you in jail. Judas was apparently too proud or so committed to Satan that he could not repent.

After Peter denied the Lord the third time Jesus just looked at him and Peter went out and wept bitterly. But he was man enough to repent; therefore the Lord restored him.

Matthew 26:28 (Jesus is having communion with the disciples just before his death.) "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

IV. Conclusion

A covenant is a serious matter between God and man. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Master, you have agreed to the covenant. But are you fulfilling your part? That requires complete obedience? I wish I could say that I have always tried to do so, but that would not be the truth. As we have been studying Hebrews, God has brought me to my knees in repentance on several occasions, for I have set my standards too low through the years.

That is my confession of sin. My new confession and commitment is, "With God’s help I am doing much better! There are still some bad habits to break, like watching TV instead of reading the Word, or worrying when I could be praying. But I am doing better!"

V. Prayer

Almighty God, we confess that we set our standards too low. Far too often we have failed. Rather than being disappointed in ourselves again, we merely set lower goals! Please forgive us! Please send your Holy Spirit to fill us with divine power so that we can do Your will, for we realize that we cannot do Your will and Your work in our own power. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.

AMEN.