Introduction
The new covenant is a legal relationship, outlining the terms of benefits and obligations, which the other party accepts or rejects.
- The focus of the Old Covenant is the Written Word, the Law, Exodus 24:1-18.
- The focus of the New Covenant is the Living Word, the Lord, John 1:14-18.
Thesis: God’s New Testament established new relationships.
New Covenant Provides a New Relationship with God, vv. 24-25.
A. The Body of Christ revealed our broken relationship with God.
B. The Blood of Christ restored our relationship with God.
One time at the City Temple in London, Emil Mettler, a restaurant owner, was in the congregation. Mettler would never allow a Christian worker to pay for a meal in his restaurant. One day he opened his cash register in the presence of a secretary of the London Missionary Society. The secretary was surprised to see among the bills and coins a six-inch nail. What was it doing there? Mettler explained, “I keep this nail with my money to remind me of the price that Christ paid for my salvation and of what I owe Him in return.”
New Covenant Provides a New Relationship with the Church, vv. 18-19, 21.
A. Communion with the Body of Christ through baptism, 10:16-17.
B. Commitment to the Body of Christ through church membership.
- Receiving communion “unworthily” means:
- Fellowship divisions, v. 18
- Doctrinal heresy, v. 19
- Attitudinal problems, v. 21
- Resulting in sickness and death, v. 30
- Repentance is self-examination and confession
- Reconciliation, Matthew 5:23-24
C. Commitmemtn with the Body of Christ through ministry.
One morning, a son told his father a joke. “Dad, how can you eat an egg without cracking the shell?”
He thought a minute, but conceded he did not know.
His son replied, “Have someone crack it for you.”
That reminds me of some church people. They want the benefits of the church has to offer without sharing the responsibilities. They want revival as long as someone else does the praying and soul-winning. They want good programs as long as someone else does the work.
If you want eggs, you’re going to have to break some shells yourself.
New Covenant Provides a New Relationship with Others, v. 26.
A. Proclaim the Lord’s death and resurrection.
B. Proclaim the Lord’s return.
A man was watching his 80-year-old neighbor planting a small tree. He asked, “You don’t expect to eat peaches from that tree, do you?” The old man rested on his shovel, and said, “No, at my age I know I won’t. But all my life I’ve enjoyed peaches, but never from a tree I planted myself. I’m just trying to pay the other fellows who planted trees for me.”
Conclusion
The Gospel is that we can begin again!
A. We can renew our devotion and obedience to Christ.
B. We can renew our covenant with the Body of Christ.
C. We can restore broken relationships within the Body of Christ.
D. We can reflect the Lord’s glory to others, Matthew 5:16.