Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:7-13

Relation of the Covenants

Intro.

1. Covenant: Agreement; a solemn obligation bound by the superior (God) upon the inferior (man).

2. 2 Cor. 3:12-15: The veil that shrouded the Jewish heart still hardens men against the fact that the OT is not in force.

3. The relationship of the OT & NT must not be ignored. Will insure:

a. Proper use of OT, proper use of Scripture & a proper respect for Bible authority (2 Tim. 2:15; Matt. 28:18, 20).

b. That our hope of salvation is based upon the proper covenant.

I. GOD ANNOUNCED HE WOULD MAKE A NEW COVENANT, Jer. 31:31-34.

A. New Covenant would be Distinct from the Old Covenant.

1. The days come (not then present), 31:31.

2. Not like Sinai, 31:32 (Heb. 8:6-9).

3. Nature of new covenant (better), 31:33-34.

B. Christ’s Death Dedicated the New Covenant, Heb. 9:15-17.

1. He fulfilled the law (Matt. 5:17; cf. Rom. 10:4).

2. He took away the first (Col. 2:14-15).

3. He established the second (Heb. 10:9).

II. THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE COVENANTS.

A. Old and New, Heb. 8:13 (Jer. 31:31).

1. Jeremiah's prophecy made the first covenant obsolete.

2. The first covenant was not designed to last forever.

B. Moses and Jesus Christ, Jno. 1:17 (Gal. 3:19; Heb. 9:15).

1. We must hear the authority of Jesus today, not Moses, Matt. 17:3-5; Acts 3:22-23.

2. Your soul rests in the balance, Acts 3:23.

C. Written on Stone and Written on Hearts, 2 Cor. 3:3; Heb. 8:10-11.

1. While some who lived under the old law put it in their hearts (Psa. 119:11), the nation of Israel hardened its heart & rebelled against it (God), Heb. 8:9; Zech. 7:12.

2. Under the new covenant, only those who take God’s law (gospel) into their hearts will be His people. (Heb. 8:10-11)

D. Temporary and Permanent (remains), 2 Cor. 3:7-11.

1. Contrast here is between the glory of each covenant.

a. Glory of the old was passing away, 3:7 (13).

b. Glory of the new exceeds the old and remains, 3:8-11 (is the glory of Christ, 4:4).

2. Old covenant done away in Christ, 3:14.

E. The High Priests of the Covenants, Heb. 7:23-28.

1. Priests serve men in things pertaining to God, Heb. 5:1.

2. The superiority of our High Priest is evidence that the new covenant is “better” (7:21-22).

3. Our high priest accomplishes what OT priest never did.

F. The Sacrifices of the Covenants, Heb. 9:25-10:18.

1. Man needs a sacrifice for his sins to satisfy the law of sin & death (i.e., when you sin, you die).

2. Old law didn't provide perfect forgiveness; New covenant does (remission, 10:18); cf. Heb. 8:7-8 (“faulty”); cf. Gal. 3:21-22.

G. Shadow and Substance, Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 10:1.

1. Shadow is merely an outline of the true substance; not the substance.

2. cf. In its authority, duration, glory, priesthood & sacrifices – the old covenant shadowed what Christ would do (has now done).

3. Don't base your salvation on a shadow!

Conclusion

1. Both OT & NT are from God (2 Tim. 3:15-16).

2. But our salvation is through the new covenant of Christ, not the old covenant that has been done away!

3. Our hope is based on the new covenant; our authority is the new covenant.