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“A NEW COVENANT”

Thesis: To teach the hearers that every aspect of the Law of Moses has been put away, and a totally new Law is in effect, along with the fact that the OT Scriptures are still essential, they are for our learning (Rom 15:4), about the nature of our God that changeth not (Mal 3:6), and neither does the way in which He responds to the acts of men (1 Cor 10:1-13).

Text: Jer 31:31-34

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Jer 31:32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah. Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people: Jer 31:34 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

Introduction,

1. The prophet Jeremiah did his work in Judah, the southern kingdom, from 626 BC until the time of his death in Egypt which was probably some time after 560 BC, thus he was active for the LORD for some 60 years.

2. His mission was to bring the people of Judah to repentance, but when the people failed to respond, he started to deliver the message of the surety of the coming captivity under Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar.

3. He was genuinely concerned about the sins of his people, which often brought him to intercede for them, and also brought him many times to tears (9:1,18; 13:17; 14:17) , Jeremiah is often spoken of as the weeping prophet.

4. We need to understand the merciful and gracious nature of our God, it is not His will that any perish, but all come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9), yet there is a justice about Him and His doings, that must be fulfilled.

5. At the time of our text (about 588 BC) Babylon already took a good portion of Judah into captivity, and was knocking on the doors of Jerusalem.

6. They would be carried away, and for some 70 years, but there was a promise to those that faithfully endured this chastisement of the LORD, He would restore them back to the land under Cyrus of Media-Persia, and there was other promises made.

7. Promises that allude to the coming Messiah, He who was the seed of David (Jer 30:9), that great man that would be encompassed by a woman (Jer 31:22; probably an illusion to the virgin birth), that branch of righteousness (Jer 33:15), and His everlasting covenant (Jer 32:40).

8. Here in Jer 31:31-34 Jehovah speaking through the prophet reveals some important facts about this hope, this new covenant to come.

9. Therefore we will break our lesson down into 4 basic sections . . .
1) The new covenant (Jer 31:31-32)
2) The implanted covenant (Jer 31:33)
3) The knowledgeable covenant (Jer 31:34a)
4) The complete covenant (Jer 34:34b)


I. The new covenant (Jer 31:31)

A. (v 31)

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

“Behold” denotes “put your attention here,” “the days come” this refers to the future, specifically “the latter days” (Isa 2:2) “the last days” (Acts 2:17), the Christian dispensation, the days when the Messiah would come, this would give the captives hope, and hope for their descendants, our God is a God of hope.

1. A “covenant” is basically an “alliance,” an “agreement” between 2 parties; the word originates from the phrase “cutting a covenant.” The ancient practice was that 2 parties (men) would make an agreement, then cut a calf in half along its spine, from its head to its tail, the pieces would be laid out, then the two parties would walk between the separated beast and meet in the middle, then they would have a feast with said calf, thereby ratifying the agreement.

2. The covenants between men are generally based upon the input of both parties, while the covenants of God are based solely upon His will, seeing that His immeasurable wisdom is able to bring about justice and deliverance simultaneously through His mercy, grace, and power; besides what pot (creature) would have the audacity or the ability to tell the Potter (Creator) what is best for all concerned.

a. We need to remember that all God does, is for man’s best, God has just about done everything He can do to bail man out of his self imposed condition of condemnation, short of overriding his will.

3. There has been many covenants made in the Bible, such as God’s agreement not to destroy the earth ever again by the means of a flood (Gen 9:11), but now the earth, along with the rest of the physical universe, is appointed of a surety to be destroyed completely by fire (2 Pet 3:7-10).

2Pe 3:7 but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 2Pe 3:8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

a. But the specific covenant referred to in this verse is the Gospel, the Law of Christ (Gal 6:2), that perfect Law of liberty (Ja 1:25), God’s perfect system for the redeeming imperfect man, thereby putting the old covenant, the Law of Moses, God’s former system away (Heb 8:13).

Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.

b. It would be made with those of Judah and Israel of the divided kingdom, in other words all 12 tribes would be included in this new covenant,

c. It would be delivered to them first on that Pentecost following the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, but it would not be limited unto them, it would be universal in scope (Rom 1:16; Acts 11:18; Gal 3:28-29).

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Act 11:18 And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.

Gal 3:28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

d. The best evidence shows that God’s redemptive covenants, patriarchy, the law of Moses, and of course the Gospel of Christ, were never limited to any one specific group, any one who willed to obey God from the heart was able to enter into that special relationship with God, totally or at least in some limited fashion, whereby one could have the hope of forgiveness of sins and fellowship with God.

e. For one to say this is not case is to call God a respecter of persons, which is certainly not the case, as the scriptures affirm (Deut 10:19; 2 Chro 19:7; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25; 1 Pet 1:17).

B. (v 32)

Jer 31:32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.

This new covenant would be different than the old, this is the theme of the book of Hebrews, where the keynote is “better” which is found 13 times in the book, the new covenant would be “better” in any and every category in comparison to the old.

1. The old covenant was given at the time which God miraculously delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, specifically at Mt Sinai through Moses (Ex 19-32; Deut 5:3-4).

2. While the new covenant was given by Jesus Christ, the apostles and NT prophets, despite what many believe, the entire old Law has been abolished (Eph 2:15), nailed to the cross of Christ (Col 2:14), and the new covenant was put into effect on that 1st Pentecost in AD 30.

a. The Law of Moses consisted of 10 commandments and 613 ordinances; many will say that the 613 ordinances were done away with, but the 10 commandments were carried over from the old Law.

b. But that is not the case, the entire Law was abolished (Eph 2:15), nailed to the cross (Col 2:14), the reason Christians seem to obey 9 of the 10 commandments (the keeping of the Sabbath is not commanded) is that they, or something similar to them, were commanded by the Lord or one of the NT writers.

c. The best way to remember or refute this claim is to drop a Romans 747 on them (turn to Rom 7:4, 7).

Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.

d. What Law is the inspired Paul speaking of here, just the ceremonial part of the Law, just the 613 ordinances? Look at verse 7

Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:

e. This is a quote of Ex 20:17, the 10th commandment, therefore Paul is indeed saying here that the Christian is dead to the entire Law including the 10 commandments

f. In fact the person that does attempt to be justified by any part of the Law of Moses has fallen from grace, the favor manifested by Him in Christ (Gal 5:4). Gal 5:4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.

g. God put that system away at the cross, and when the unbelieving Jews would not discontinue it on their own, He had Jerusalem, the temple, and all that was connected to that Law destroyed once for all in AD 70.

3. The northern and the southern kingdoms both apostatized in the OT, they didn’t keep the Law, thus they violated it, they broke the old covenant, they continued not within its precepts, they were as an adulteress to the faithful Husband, Who here is Jehovah God.

a. In the north (Israel) there was the psuedo (false) Jehovah worship through the golden calves of Jeroboam set up at Dan and Beth-el, along with Baal worship propagated by Ahab and Jezebel.

b. In the south (Judah) there was insincere worship being performed, unauthorized worship (in the high places), and also idolatry was introduced by Solomon and was practiced since that time.

c. So what we see is that people for the most part chose to worship God, according to their own will, their own way, which is not pleasing unto God (Mt 15:9).

Mat 15:9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.

d. The same is happening today, men have introduced a number of things which Jehovah commanded not, and have set themselves in the ranks of Nadab and Abihu (turn to Lev 10:1-2).

Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. Lev 10:2 And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before Jehovah.

e. Also in Acts 5:1-11 we see the account of Ananias and Sapphira who corrupted their worship by giving deceitfully and even lying about it in order to be glorified before others, they were also killed by God for their actions and hearts.

f. God has never allowed men to choose the way He wants to be worshipped, His command is the same today, “they that worship Him MUST worship in spirit and truth”(John 4:24), from the heart, and according to the “new covenant” as revealed upon the pages of the NT, according to the truth of the Gospel” (Gal 2:5, 14; Col 1:5).

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Gal 2:5 to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Col 1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

II. The implanted covenant (Jer 31:33)

A. (v 33)

Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people:

“After” the days that the children of God broke the covenant, were punished, through which they would change as a people, they would never again revert to the evils of idolatry, “then,” at this time would God bring about this “new covenant.”

1. Note that this does not refer to “the house Israel and the house of Judah,” but to Israel alone, this is not speaking of fleshly Israel, but of spiritual Israel, the church, with whom the new covenant would be made (Rom 2:28-29; 9:6; Gal 6:16).

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: Rom 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Rom 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed.

Gal 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Gal 6:16 And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. Gal 3:28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

a. These are those who have an honest and good heart, the good ground, as seen in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:15), this is the type, that class of people, that God predestined before the foundation of the world, to be the elect (Eph 1:4-5).

Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: Eph 1:5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

b. God did not arbitrarily choose certain individuals to be saved and others to be lost, but rather He stated “this is the TYPE of person that can be saved” types other than this cannot, and it is because of their own desires, their own minds, their own wills, not God’s (Mt 13:15-16)

Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

2. This class, this type of people, universal in scope, totally dependent upon their own wills, will have (because of the nature of their inward person, their biblical hearts) God’s Law written upon it.

a. This doesn’t mean that there were none under the old Law that didn’t have God’s Law written upon their hearts, David certainly was one who was so, but he was the exception, rather than the rule.

b. But under the new covenant, good and honest hearts would be torn wide open because of the giving of God’s Son upon that cruel cross of Calvary (John 3:16), which shows forth the greatest degree of love (John 15:13; 12:32-33),

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself. Joh 12:33 But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die.

c. They would reciprocate that love God to such a high degree because of this, “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19), their love would be so great that they would willingly give their entire being to Whom they owe everything to, they would keep His commandments (John 14:15) . . .

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.

d. They would do everything commanded, and know they still fall short of that which they have been given (Luke 17:10).

Luk 17:10 Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.

e. These are those that have received the implanted Word with meekness, which is able to save the soul (Ja 1:21), in which God’s word is written, not in tablets of stone as under Moses, but in their very hearts (2 Cor 3:3), as in Christ.

Jam 1:21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

3. Most commentators look at this verse as speaking of some direct operation from the Holy Spirit upon the heart of the individual that prompts them to love and obey God, yet the Bible plainly teaches that this is not so.

a. God’s Word is living and active (Heb 4:12).

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

b. The Word is that sword, in effect the instrument, that vehicle the Holy Spirit uses (Eph 6:17).

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

c. And in Rom 10:14 it clearly states this to be a fact (Rom 10:13-14).

Rom 10:13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

d. Thus without hearing, nor reading the Gospel message no one can know, thus love, thus believe, thus obey, based upon that great love of God.

e. It is the impact of the Gospel message that is the power of the Gospel, “God died for you, He loves you, therefore love Him back, with obedience to His Law, and trust in the promises of Him Who cannot lie” (Tit 1:2).

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

4. Take note that this (Jer 31:33) speaks of Law, the NT is Law, period, and it is called such in 6 NT passages (Rom 3:27; 8:2; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2; Ja 1:25; 2:12).

a. If there is no law, there in no sin (Rom 4:15) thus there is no need for a Saviour, and all these passages in the OT and the NT are but lies; but that is simply another doctrine of men, in fact the epistle known as 1 John was written by the inspired apostle to combat such an erroneous doctrine even taught by some in the 1st century (1 John 3:4; 5:13).

1Jo 3:4 Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

b. What did he write, well we could sum up the epistle by reciting 1 John 2:3-5 . . .

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

c. All men everywhere today are amenable to, and will stand before Christ on the Judgment Day, (Acts 17:30-31) with NT Law as that standard, that will send then to either heaven of hell, depending on their response to it (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).

Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.

5. And these people with God’s law implanted within their heart will have Jehovah for their God, not the idols of Baal, nor the god of self, nor the god of money, but the true and living God, and they shall be His people.

a. This is a quote from Lev 26:12; it is quoted by Paul in 2 Cor 6:16 . . .

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

b. This type of language is a statement that denotes fellowship between God and man; the principle is the same in the OT as in the NT, God figuratively walks and thereby dwells in His people, when? When they do His will (2 John 9; John 14:23).

2Jo 1:9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

c. Many declare that they are in fellowship with God today, despite them offering “will worship,” organizing Christ’s church according to “their will,” declaring God’s divine orders concerning the roles of men and women as the personal problems of inspired writers, while many are living a life of following the lusts of the world.

d. But we can look to the Bible, which gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and find out the truth concerning these individuals and their religions (Ja 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17).

Jam 4:4 Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.

1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

e. One does the will of God and abides forever with Him because of God’s mighty working through the “implanted covenant” the Gospel of Christ, with its facts to believe, promises to receive, commands to obey, and warnings to heed, this is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.

III. The knowledgeable covenant (Jer 31:34a)

A. (v 34a)

Jer 31:34 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah:

Under the Law of Moses, a child was physically born into a covenantal relationship with God, the males were circumcised on the 8th day, and when they gained the ability to comprehend through the natural process of aging and learning, they were taught about God (Deut 6:4-7), and that special relationship they had with Him, which was established and maintained through sacrifice (Ps 50:5; animal sacrifices, but ultimately looking down the corridors of time at Christ’s sacrifice).

1. The children of Israel put too much stock in their fleshly ties to Abraham (even though it was important) and at times thought that this left them somewhat invulnerable to God’s judgments, most of the OT shows us this was not the case, even our passage under contemplation is given in the view of judgment.

a. In NT times the thought was about the same, consider the words of John the Baptist (Luke 3:7-9)

Luk 3:7 He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Luk 3:9 And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

b. A new way was coming, and if the Jews of that day expected to be part of it, they had to believe (which entails having to be taught some things that were not previously revealed) and obey,

c. Nicodemus was confused about it, as seen in (John 3:4-5), he asked the Lord . . .

Joh 3:4 How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!

d. And the Gentiles, who were now to be full heirs and sons of God according to the promise (Gal 3:28-29), had to be taught what the Jews for some part already knew, and “then” they would be eligible to be born anew into the family of God, through belief and obedience, based upon that knowledge of God, Christ and the Gospel.

e. Therefore “every” candidate eligible to become a Christian must be first taught the basics about God, Christ and His Gospel, as the Lord stated in John 6:44-45 . . . (Which is based on a quote of Isa 54:13)

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (Now the Lord explains how one is to be drawn . . .) Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

f. This again (one being taught and then becoming a Christian) is in direct opposition to such things as infant baptism and the godparent system, these are the concoctions of men, who think they stand as God in His temple, to legislate law for Christ’s church, all things that pertain unto godliness are in the Bible (2 Pet 1:3), and this is not.

g. This first becoming learners (disciples) and then being baptized is also declared in Matthew’s account of the great commission (Mt 28:19-20a).

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Mat 28:20a teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you . . .

h. They were to make learners, baptize them (they were born of the water and the Spirit, John 3:5; they believed what they were taught and were baptized, Mark 16:16), and “then” they were to be taught “all things” the complete teachings of the new covenant.

i. These passages teach us that the Gospel of Christ is surely “the knowledgeable covenant” and not one based upon ignorance, for God’s people have always been destroyed where there is a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.

IV. The complete covenant (Jer 31:34b)

A. (v 34b)

Jer 31:34 for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

We need to keep in mind that there was no true forgiveness under the Law of Moses, sins were just temporarily covered, appeased, with a reminder of said sins to the sinner, and to God, it was merely a shadow of that which was to come (turn to Heb 10:1-4) . . .

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. Heb 10:2 Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins. Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. Heb 10:4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

1. And when one looks at the OT, specifically in Leviticus where it speaks of the forgiveness that is attained through these sacrifices, the phraseology is always the same “SHALL be forgiven” always “future” tense, looking “forward” to the blood of Christ, which is affirmed by the NT (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:15).

Rom 3:25 whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;

Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

2. But under the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus complete forgiveness is available (Acts 13:38-39).

Act 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: Act 13:39 and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

a. The pathway was never opened to Heaven for those under the old Law until Christ opened it (Heb 9:8).

Heb 9:8 the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing;

b. As it is written in John 3:13 . . .

Joh 3:13 And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.

c. And even to this very day, no man’s spirit has entered into Heaven, but rather are in Hades (in either comfort or torments; Luke 16:19-31) awaiting the 2nd coming and judgment of Christ, but the church Christ built some 2,000 years ago will effect, bring about the opening of those gates which now hold the disembodied souls (Mt 16:16-18).

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (that is the church).

d. But the way has been paved, it is ready and waiting, for that Day which is only known by the Father (John 14:1-6).

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:4 And whither I go, ye know the way. Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way? Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

3. Thus one can obey the Gospel from the heart today, die faithful, and be assured that he has the crown of eternal life waiting for him, because of God’s “complete covenant,” as was the hope of Paul (2 Tim 4:8).

2Ti 4:8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

Conclusion,

1. We looked at the new covenant (Jer 31:31-32), it the totally new and living way, there is not shred of the old covenant therein, one cannot put new wine in old wineskins (Luke 5:37-38).

Luk 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish. Luk 5:38 But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins.

2. No separate priestly system, no distinctions in salvation, no incense, no altars, no mechanical instruments, no pomp, just simple loving, obedience, to a simple plan.

3. Then we looked at the implanted covenant (Jer 31:33), God through the giving of His Son, sliced open a mortal wound deep within the good and honest heart (Luke 8:15), where the seed of the kingdom, which is the word of God (Luke 8:11) can germinate and grow into the life eternal

4. And we looked into the knowledgeable covenant (Jer 31:34a), the Lord Himself said (John 6:44-45).

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

5. One must hear, believe, and then obey from that faith driven, loved filled heart, through which one is born again, born anew, born from above, we don’t inherit the religion of our parents, we are spiritually born into the family of our heavenly Father through the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ.

6. And lastly we looked at the complete covenant (Jer 34:34b).

a. Which results in complete freedom from sin,

b. The remembrance, the guilt, gone,

c. The means to receive additional forgiveness is made available (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9),

d. Divine guidance from the all sufficient word of God to which to conform one’s life, in order to be renewed within one’s self, and thereby prepared to enter into heaven (Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:5-10).

e. And with the hope of eternal life, comfort in Hades, the resurrection, the ascension to heaven, the crown of life, and eternity in the new heavens and the new earth with God forever and ever, who could ask for more?

7. And the way into that agreement, that new covenant, is the same as it has been for almost 2,000 years.

One must . . .

Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);

Believe that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24); and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6).

Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) leave that old man behind, don’t try and drag him along

Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9).

Be baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death, the sacrifice of Christ (Rom 6:3) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); at which point God adds you to the church (Acts 2:47) translates you into the kingdom (Col 1:13) adds you to the one body (1 Cor 12:13).

And live a faithful and holy life (Rev 2:10; 1 Pet 1:15), determined to follow God’s instructions, the Law of Christ, that new covenant that is able give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified (Acts 20:32).


"That in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written"

Contact us:
Evangelist - Kenneth Windbiel
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or
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kensanwind@hotmail.com

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