The Mediator of a New Covenant

Therefore, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living. That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you. In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood. According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

The New Covenant Is Inaugurated

Messiah as the High Priest Hebrews 9:11

Hebrews 9:11 HCSB

But the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation ),

Theme of Eternality in Chapter 9

eternal redemption Hebrews 9:12

Hebrews 9:12 HCSB

He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 HCSB

We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

eternal Spirit Hebrews 9:14

Hebrews 9:14 HCSB

how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?

eternal Inheritance Hebrews 9:15

we will come back to this one very shortly and it is the main content of our discussion this morning

eternal covenant Hebrews 13:20-21

Hebrews 13:20–21 HCSB

Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep —with the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever. Amen.

Messiah as Mediator so we can receive what was promised Hebrews 9:15

Hebrews 9:15 HCSB

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Mediation, Mediator

Mediation, Mediator. An intermediary, go-between, or expert in divine things, not to negotiate agreement or compromise but to approach the deity on behalf of others, and so to convey desired knowledge and reassurance with divine authority.

1 John 2:1

Covenant / Will Hebrews 9:16-22

a Greek word thing. In the greek the word for covenant is the word used for will. The idea here is that in a will one has to die before the will goes into effect. It would be like reading a document… Upon the death of Jesus, the Messiah/Son of God you will receive… these promises…

The point being made that a death has occurred. And this covenant is activated.

Jesus is a mediator, so that those who are called get what was promised. Jesus, is gonna make sure you get what was promised.

This all sounds so technical. There’s a lot of looking back at the Old Covenant here. And emphasis on specific things that at first reading leave you thinking… “okay?! what am i supposed to do with this?” but I want you to see something that the author of Hebrews gives us. cf Hebrews 8:6 Where’s the legality in all this… the author knows his audience and is addressing their concerns.

So going back to Hebrews 9:15 the point is a death has occurred. This covenant and it’s "better promises” are legally in effect.

Hebrews 8:6 HCSB

But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises.

What is the New Covenant Promise?

God’s desire is to have a people Exodus 19 1-9

Exodus 19:1–9 HCSB

In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai. After they departed from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord. The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Then Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord.

Transition

What we see in Hebrews 8 is a quote from Jeremiah 31 about the old and new covenant so I would like us to dig into this for a little while together.

What does Jeremiah 31:33 say as quoted in Hebrews 8?

Jeremiah 31:33-34

Jeremiah 31:33–34 HCSB

“Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them” —this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin.”

1. I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts

2. I will be their God, and they will be My people

3. No longer will one teach… saying ‘know the LORD’ for they will all know ME

4. I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin

I want to ask you.

Are you experiencing … Aware of… Experiencing this New Covenant and it’s promises.

ooooh....

I’m not asking the question How do we receive this? That would be a great topic.

The answer is by faith Galatians 2:15-16, 3:19-29

Galatians 2:15–16 HCSB

We who are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners” know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.

So lets take each piece and dig in a bit further and ask In what way do you have the New Covenant?

Let’s start with #1 I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts.

Isaiah 59:21

Isaiah 59:21 HCSB

“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit who is on you, and My words that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouth of your children, or from the mouth of your children’s children, from now on and forever,” says the Lord.

John 14:26

John 14:26 HCSB

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit —the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

#2 I will be their God, and they will be My people

Ro 8:14–17

Romans 8:14–17 HCSB

All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

#3 No longer will one teach… saying ‘know the LORD’ for they will all know ME

Jeremiah 24:7

Jeremiah 24:7 HCSB

I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am Yahweh. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart.

John 16:13-14

John 16:13–14 HCSB

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.

#4 I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin

Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah 53:5 HCSB

But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.

Matthew 26:28

Matthew 26:28 HCSB

For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.

What keeps us from being his people?

Titus 2:11–3:11 HCSB

For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works. Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

These New Covenant Promises are better than the promises of the Old Covenant.

The heartbeat of God is that God would have a people who know Him, and that he would be their God.

The New Covenant promises this.

maybe this is foreign to your culture.... you’re way of approaching god and the questions you have about LIFE and the condition of your human heart.

Much like the new covenant seemed counter cultural to all that the Jews knew. They systems, their understanding of What God’s Messiah was gonna do, and what he was gonna be like.

The Bible is saying Jesus has made a way to know God and to be His. He wants you to draw near. He has promised you how he is gonna treat you… but you have to come forward. You have to allow Him to open up your eyes. Ask Him honestly to reveal his glory. The glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ.

And you, believer, what keeps us from being his people?

Guilt

Fear- Running from him

What keeps you from being His.

Why are you hanging on to that guilt? What good has it brought you? You already are aware of it. The Spirit convicts of righteousness, shame, guilt.... to bring you to repentance, and to free you to live in freedom.