Understanding Covenant
The Gift of God — The New Covenant • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
We begin with our very opening text that we saw last week in understanding the New Covenant, and it’s relationship with the old. Let us examine again;
4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Now, by Paul speaking of our sufficiency is from God,
Sufficiency — ἱκανότης hikanotēs; adequacy — the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily
So, the adequacy of the man of the New Covenant is from God. We aren’t short of competence! We are more than enough, we are more than able!
Hence, when I look at the New Covenant, what characterizes it i.e. what defines it, is the Spirit. What you begin to think about is the work of God’s Spirit in man (This is our endgoal in this study, but how do we get here)?
The Contrast
The Contrast
Now, Paul moved to a contrast, between the Letter and the Spirit.
— “Not of the letter” but “of the Spirit”
Now, the question is why that distinction, and why would Paul say the New Covenant is OF THE SPIRIT? This is what we are getting at; To fully understand the New Covenant and how it relates to the Spirit, we need to understand the previous covenant i.e. THE FIRST COVENANT, written on Stones.
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
The one written by the Spirit of God, is on the heart, but the other one written, on the tablets of stone.
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
Ministry — διακονία -ας, ἡ; (diakonia); a role especially done in service to others.
Meaning, what the letter did was that is rendered a service, and here, he mentioned two services it rendered, Death and Condemnation.
So, we can say these things about the letter;
It is written on stones;
It ministers death (It kills).
It ministers condemnation.
Yet, it is glorious, but a passing away glory
Examining the Letter
Examining the Letter
So, we started examining the letter to fully understand what Paul was saying about it;
Why does the letter minister death? Why does the law minister condemnation?
Also, what is the “Death”? what is the “Condemnation”? We started this last week, but this is not my focus today (we will return to this next week), rather, I want us to focus on Understanding Covenant…
He was quoting Exodus 34 and we should examine it also;
1 And the Lord said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke. 2 So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain.
Notice the words here, I WILL WRITE ON THESE TABLETS…
Meaning, the words on tablet of stones, were not of Moses invention, THEY WERE FROM YAHWEH HIMSELF, FROM GOD HIMSELF.
Now, why was this given at all?
1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Notice the term there; “keep my covenant”. This statement won’t be clear until we understand the nature of what a covenant is. This in turn, helps us to understand why the writings on a tablet were given.
Covenant — בְּרִית (bĕrît); treaty, compact, agreement, an association between two parties with various responsibilities, benefits, and penalties.
Now covenants are of three types;
Involves both parties stating the terms of a covenant. Example Genesis 21:27-32
27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?” 30 And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.” 31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. 32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines.
You see both of them agreeing or dictating the terms of the covenant. So another way it could be stated is “agreements between men”.
2. Another is the one imposed on another; Example Ezekiel 17:13
13 And he took the king’s offspring, made a covenant with him, and put him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land, 14 that the kingdom might be brought low and not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
Notice, put him under oath. Meaning he imposed a covenant on him.
3. The third is one Unilateral (done or undertaken by one person or party)— God Himself establishes the covenant, defines its terms, and invites man to participate in it, not negotiate it. Every other party involved are simply invited into the covenant, to receive of it’s benefit.
Look at for example;
7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.” 8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”
Notice, this is more or less a promise from God to Abraham, “I will give you this land to inherit it”. God is inviting Abraham into something, Abraham is not dictating the terms of the covenant.
But Abraham then asked, how would I inherit it? Hence, what are you bound by?
9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
Now, as we read on;
17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—
On the same day, The Lord made a covenant with Abram; SO IT IS GOD WHO MAKES A COVENANT.
God Made the covenant, and if God is to “keep” the covenant, that means he will do what he has stated that he would do in that covenant.
Notice, so far, we should have asked, if it a covenant, what is Abraham’s response?
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
Notice, this is simply giving you further explaination of Genesis 15, that is of when the Lord made a covenant with Abraham.
7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
I will be their God, I will give to you and your descendants the land. This is what God would do. If God is faithful to the covenant, what would happen is, “THEY WOULD INHERIT THE LAND”.
Verse 9;
9 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
So, whilst God makes the covenant, man can only keep the covenant with God. i.e. Man responds to the very terms of the covenant initiated by God.
Analogy of giving a will…
— God’s covenant is like a rich fellow choosing to bless a charity with a million euros. (The rich fellow alone MAKES the covenant); i.e. The charity didn’t negotiate or earn it. Hence it is BY GRACE. The Charity is only invited in.
— The rich fellow also “keep the covenant” in that he has to provide what he said he would provide, else, HE IS UNFAITHFUL.
— The charity must “keep the will or covenant” in that they are to respect the intent of the gift giver in how to use the money (scholarship, etc)
— If the charity does misrepresent the intent of the gift giver, for example, embezzle the money, then, “they have broken the covenant or will”.
Likewise, God’s covenant begins with His gracious promise, yet calls humanity to walk faithfully within it. The blessing is God’s initiative; participation is man’s response.
God makes the covenant; Man keeps the covenant. So before we proceed, it is good to know therefore, “ALL OF GOD’S COVENANT THEREFORE, IS BY HIS GRACE”. Not only the new covenant. Him alone takes the initiative in covenant making and fulfilment.
God also keeps the covenant in that he has to do what he said he would do within the covenant.
In Abraham’s case then, what does it mean to “keep” the covenant? He was to honor God’s intent and will within the covenant,
9 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised;
The male shall be circumcised… That is, the covenant kept. Abraham and His descendants are to faithfully participate within this covenant. Faithful response to the grace given.
13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Now, the covenant is broken in that the descendant has not honored the terms of the covenant, they have not respond faithfully to it, hence, they are to be cut off from his people.
In Summary;
The making of Covenant by God is by grace alone;
The keeping of the covenant signifies faithfulness to God in response to the covenant.
The breaking of the covenant is unfaithfulness and discarding of the covenant.
Israel and Covenant
Israel and Covenant
Now, back to Israel and the covenant to keep.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
Hence, we should know, God giving them the land, giving them the promise etc, wasn’t because they were deserving, at all. Rather the opposite, it was initiated by grace alone; and then they would respond and “keep the covenant”, i.e. Respond faithfully to God;
7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.
So, for them to keep the Covenant, it will mean “THEY DO ALL THAT THE LORD HAS SPOKEN”.
Hence, the words of the covenant, is the way to “Keep the Covenant”. Ignoring the words therefore, meant “Breaking the Covenant”.
3 So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”
Notice the terms carefully;
The covenant which the LORD has made with you “according to all these words”.
So, we should ask, WHAT ARE THEY TO FAITHFULLY RESPOND TO “what are the words?” ? What are the promises of the covenant?
1 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. 4 The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. 5 I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said:
The first one is chief to all;
6 ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.
verse 22 lets you see that what we call the Ten Commandments are the words of the covenant;
22 “These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.
So, the covenant, initiated by grace, and invited Israel to become part of it, were the ten words written on the tablet of stones.
The covenant is by grace, calling for response in faithfulness. No allegiance to any other gods, and obey the words of my law.
Isreal will break my covenant
Isreal will break my covenant
19 “Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel. 20 When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me and break My covenant.
Hence, what Israel did or would do, was “the breaking of the covenant”.
Notice carefully, “God did not break the covenant”… we will return to this during this study..
He would bring them into the land … Yet, Israel will break the covenant, they will turn to other gods, and they will serve other gods.
and last week we saw why they do this;
21 Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them.”
The inclination of their behaviour, is because they do not have the right heart, they will not keep the covenant.
Conclusion
Conclusion
God makes the covenant; This is an act of grace. Man can only “keep” or “break” the covenant.
God “Keeps the covenant” in that he would bring them to the land and be their God
Isreal “keep the covenant” if they are faithful to God, i.e. serve no other gods.
Isreal “broke the covenant” in that they are unfaithful.
Israel’s unfaithfulness is because they do not have the right heart.
