Sermon (16-Oct): "A New Day...A New Covenant" Jer 31:27-34

Scripture:

Jeremiah 31:27-34 (SLIDE)

27 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals.

28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the Lord.

29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’

30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.

31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to[a] them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Big Idea:

The objective of this message is to learn from our spiritual ancestors and that we have been given the opportunity of a lifetime

Introduction:

- I recently read a story which I believe that is applicable to today’s message:

The renowned child psychiatrist Robert Coles told this story in a graduate class at Harvard University many years ago: “A highly regarded psychiatrist recently told me in despair: ‘I have been doing therapy with a man for 15 years. He is as angry, as self-centered, and as mean as he was the first day he walked into my office. The only difference is that now he knows why he is so angry and mean.’”

Dr. Coles pointed out that although the psychiatrist provided his client with insight as to how his childhood emotional wounding had affected his adult dysfunction, the man still hadn't changed. Coles asked, "Could we conclude that what this man needed wasn’t just information but transformation? But is transformation possible for human beings?”

Rebecca Manley Pippert, Stay Salt, (Good Book Company, 2020) pp. 137-138

- That seems to be the age old, existential question for all generations

- Can we change on our own accord? Or, what is required for us to change?

- Many of us have tried to change on our own and some of us have been successful to an extent

- Others believe that more information is needed for change…lasting change to occur

- And, that can be true for some people

- Yet, when we talk about what lies at the center—the human heart—

- That’s where the argument and dispute arise

- Think about it…how often have you tried to change an area that just seem resistant to change?

- In that illustration, we’re talking about a transformation

- Transformation to me seems to be different than just a minor change

- Transformation borders along the lines of major change…180 degrees

- I’m convinced that this is not just a present-day issue

- People have been looking for change…since the Garden of Eden

- Since God had angels escort Adam and Eve out…

- Since the Noah and the Great Flood…

- Humankind has been looking for restoration to God and transformation within him and herself

- As generations before him tried to figure it out, here we have Jeremiah

- Jeremiah, priest and prophet, began his story under the God-fearing king Josiah

- Unfortunately, Josiah dies and that’s where we see Jeremiah faced with kings that didn’t favor God or the prophet

- Long story short…imagine like Jeremiah having to endure—persecution and imprisonments

- Yet, God still called him

- He predicted the fall of the temple, received the nickname “the weeping prophet,” but most importantly

- Told Israel and tells us—that God has a new plan in mind…

- Jeremiah is awakened from his “pleasant sleep” (v.26)

- And God gives him the words that will, literally, change not just Israel but salvation to New Testament believers

- The words that God shares with Jeremiah were meant for Israel to give them hope for restoration

- Even further, it extends to us

- We all need hope and to hear the truth…

- That we’re not a lost cause; that God still considers and loves us

- What I found interesting is that of all the Old Testament prophets—the biblical account provides the most details about Jeremiah

- The book tells of his experiences and emotions attached to them

- When you have had some of the experiences that he had,

- It makes Jeremiah more relevant

- I find myself more liable to hear the small bit of good with the bad

- He talks about judgment but goes much further than that

- The truth that God has not abandoned Israel—nor has He abandoned us is TOO important for us to miss

- So today we’ll consider…

(SLIDE)

- A New Day

- A New Covenant

- A New You

1) A New Day (SLIDE)

27 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals. 28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the Lord. 29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.

- The familiar words “The days are coming…” might seem like hopeful, wishful thinking

- When it comes down to it, Jeremiah is trying to inspire hope

- For me, however bad the situation may be…

- I want to hear…is there any “hope” out of it

- I know things are bad and can be pretty terrible—that things are not the most ideal right now

- But where can I find that “sliver of hope”

- It may be far off…but is there at least a possibility?

- Can I have some confidence in the situation or at least in myself?

- Marcus Garvey (political activist, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator) once said,

“If you haven't confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.”

- Hope in many ways inspires confidence so Jeremiah’s words are vital to a generation that’s struggling…

- It pretty much sounds like our generation today

- The generation—overall—struggling with confidence and direction…wondering what God is going to do

- The old relationship that God had with Israel, Judah and us now is different than past years

- The country had already experienced the dark side of things but through Jeremiah

- The word of the Lord is to uplift the nation and the people

- God now promises that He will plant and increase the population

- He reminds the people of where they once were but with God…

- It’s not primarily about the past

- We are not to neglect the past but we are to learn from it

- Matter of fact—we need to learn from it

- We each probably have time(s) from our past where we don’t want to repeat

- The “sour grapes” saying that is mentioned transitioned and ushered in…personal accountability

- Each person is accountable to God on their own

- We can attempt to shift the accountability but God says differently

- A New Day was definitely on the horizon

- While preparing for this message, I found a story about the “cheeseburger bill”

- Maybe you have heard it:

In March 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure known as the "cheeseburger bill." The bill is designed to protect the fast food industry from potential lawsuits filed by overweight customers.

Two people, in particular—a man in his mid-50s and a teenager, pointed their fingers at McDonald's, Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Burger King, for weight and obesity problems.

One of the U.S. Representatives pointed out that the matter was one of personal responsibility and accountability.

- Personal responsibility and accountability is lacking today

- Yet, we see it influencing our nation

- You see news stories or courtroom cases of where it is someone else’s fault

- The Israelites felt that it wasn’t their fault as well

- Although they were the one that left God’s side

- Although they were given instruction and direction and failed to follow through

- The nation did not feel as the punishment given by God was fair

- Even though they disobeyed, the thought was that their ancestors—their forefathers—were the real culprits

- Have you ever had those moments where you attempted to defend yourself and blame shift?

- I think on those times…and it sounds eerily similar to the Old Testament

- God has His ways of showing us ourselves at the right time

- And, it’s like God to show us His judgment for a nation steeped in sin…

- But, through Jeremiah unveil His plan for us all

- Though God holds all power in His hands, how he chooses to discipline us is far less than any of us deserve

- Listen to what’s written in the Book of Ezra (9:13),

13 “What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved and have given us a remnant like this.

Transition: I’m just thankful that God was and is looking for a New Day—a new relationship with His people

2) A New Covenant (SLIDE)

31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to[d] them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

- When we hear these words that Jeremiah passes on, covenant is at the center of it all

- It seems like today we talk in terms of contract

- But God deals and talks in terms of covenant

- In many ways, contracts are needed, yes

- Contracts help to ensure both parties have equal liability for agreed upon terms

- Two parties each having responsibility to fulfill their side

- What we see is with God’s covenants, specifically the Mosaic Covenant

- Israel had the opportunity to fulfill their side of it…but they mess it up

- That trend continues throughout the Old Testament and even through the New

- Until Jesus comes on the scene

- We know that Jesus forever changed the world

- All the world whether believing or unbelieving have a thought, idea or belief about Jesus

- As believers, we know how much He means to us

- Yet, to others, they may be undecided or apathetic

- Perhaps thinking that Who He is and what He offers is too good to be true

- At least, that’s what I believed many, many years ago

- Someone had to explain to me how One Man could make a difference in where I spent eternity

- And, that my just being good enough doesn’t just qualify me for heaven

- But, it was the sacrifice of Jesus that qualifies me to spend an eternity with the Almighty God

- Without Jesus and the New Covenant in His blood—you and I are a lost cause

- We can do a million good works—good things

- It still wouldn’t be enough in God’s eyes to fit His requirements

- His requirements include asking, believing, and confessing His Son as Lord and Savior

- The former covenant that He had with Israel when He led them out of Egypt is not valid anymore

- God is declaring different for Israel and has declared different from us

- We are linked to what God said then but what He said in the Book of Hebrews

- What we read in vv. 31-34, the author of Hebrews replays in Heb 8:8-12

- But, listen to how the author ends this chapter (Heb 8:13 NLT):

“When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.”

- Of course, God is not out of date…but God knew that the old way was not going to cut it

- With our confession of Christ and faith, God takes His laws and begins to engrave them on our hearts

- Truthfully what this means…is God is going to make salvation clear to each and every one

- Outside of Christ, it’s not about any man, woman, boy or girl

- It is purely about what Christ has done

- Each month we celebrate communion here at the chapel

- At the last supper, Christ made it know that the cup from which we drink is a reminder

- It is to remind us that His blood was shed for the remission or forgiveness of our sins

- When you’re young or untaught, you may not understand the cup and the bread’s significance

- Hopefully, I emphasize it enough that our release from our past, present and future sins—

- It was all wrapped up in Christ’s Body being broken and blood being shed

- And, we always do it in remembrance of Him not as a “have to” but as a “want to”

- The author of Hebrews later on in the letter identifies that Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb 12:24)

- A lot of these words may sound complex but understand it this way…Jesus is the only One who talks to God on your behalf

- And, he doesn’t talk about what you bring to the table…

Transition: But, rather, if you have accepted Him which will lead to a New You

3) A New You

Heb 10:17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

- The author of Hebrews repeats what He wrote in Hebrews 8 with great purpose and on purpose

- Yes, he is referring to the prophet Jeremiah but he’s elaborating God’s heart and mind…towards us

- He’s not giving any of us permission to go out and do whatever we want

- It’s about understanding the freedom we’ve been given and the responsibility that comes with it

- If we can be comfortable in our misdeeds and wrongdoing, and it’s become our life practice

- Can we truly say with peace that “Jesus is Lord and Savior” in our life?

- So, when I refer to a “New You”

- I’m referring to what Jesus’ sacrifice meant for us

- No, you won’t ever be perfect but Christ became poor so that we can become rich…

- Rich in His image—acceptable to God

- Paul writes,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Closing:

- There’s so many ways that I shape this message but…

- As I close, as someone places their faith in Christ;

- He/she is no longer bound by sin; we become new creations, able to please God and live in His ways

- We have been crucified with Christ and it is now essentially “A New You”

- I’ll end with this; Jesus says in Rev 21:5:

“…Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

(SLIDE) Takeaway: Jesus came to make us NEW and it begins with “A New Day” and a “New Covenant”

- Would you pray with me?

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask you to forgive me for all of my sins known and unknown, I renounce them all. Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I receive you now as Lord and Savior of my life. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for me and arose and sits at the right hand of God praying for me, interceding for me. Lord Jesus, I give you everything. I thank you for saving me, delivering me and setting me free, in Jesus’ name!