Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Heb. 10. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- One of the interesting concepts in Holy Scripture is the whole notion of “covenants.” Some of us are familiar with this term because we have purchased a home within an “association” that is bound by “covenants,” legal agreements as to what we can and can’t do to our home and property. The object of such covenants is to protect the value of the homes in the neighborhood by not allowing weird paint, weird fences, or ugly modifications to the homes or the lots in the community that would make nearby homes less appealing and hence, less valuable.
- In the Bible, God’s Word, there are two kinds of covenants, and all covenants are made by God. The first kind of covenant is a “promissory” covenant, where the only one who is bound by the covenant is God. He is making the promises. There are also conditional covenants made by God with His people – and these involve human beings upholding their side of the covenant.
- Notable covenants are the “Adamic covenant,” where God promises a “seed of the woman” who would undo Satan’s work in causing human sin. There is the Noahic covenant, the rainbow. Then there is the Abrahamic covenant, the promises of land, descendants, and most importantly, a “Seed” in Whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Then there is the Mosaic covenant, sometimes referred to as the Sinaitic covenant, made between God and the children of Israel in the desert. This is the one covenant that is “conditional.” In it God promises to bless the children of Israel with peace and prosperity so long as they behaved in a manner consistent with His will and with His character.
- Then there is the covenant referenced in our text for this evening. The quoted passages are from Jer. 31. God promises to make a “new” covenant with the children of Israel. The principle aspects of this new covenant are the same as the Adamic and Abrahamic covenants, and that is forgiveness of sins and salvation in a coming Savior.
- Our text asserts that this “new covenant” has been fulfilled in Jesus, in His suffering, death, and resurrection. The consequence of this is spelled out in our text – THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST! First:
I. The New Covenant Brings Great Blessings To Us
A. We Have Been Given A New Heart
Text: “The Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,’ declares the Lord: ‘I will put My laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.”
B. We Have Full Forgiveness For All Our Sins
Text: “Then He adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”
Statement: Nothing could be of greater importance or greater blessedness to us than these promises of God to us! And note that they are described as a “covenant,” a binding agreement that God has made with us. He is bound to deliver all that He promised. He will give us new hearts, filled with His Word, and He will be our God, and we will be His people. We will all know God, from the least to the greatest. Our sins are forgiven and put out of God’s mind!
Application: In this solemn and “legal” action, our forgiveness and salvation are guaranteed by the very Word of God! He is capable of fulfilling these promises – in fact He already has in Christ Jesus. He promises out of love, and “God is love.” He is truthful – therefore His promises are sure and certain! All of this should give us the greatest confidence in regard to our relationship with God, and our future with God! And there is more:
II. We Now Have New Access To God In Christ Jesus
A. By The Blood Of Christ, Which Cleanses Us From All Sin
Text: “Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.”
1 John 1:7 “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
B. We Enter The Holy Places Through The Flesh Of Jesus
Text: “We have confidence to enter the holy places . . . by a new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh. And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”
Statement: This a fantastic blessing that we can scarcely believe. Where do we participate in Christ’s body and blood? Paul explained to the Corinthians [10:16,17]: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” So, when we commune we are actually entering into the heavenly holy places! We are blessed and privileged to do so having great confidence in Christ!
Application: Nothing can be more reassuring and blessed than this privilege of “communing” with Jesus, and with all God’s people! Jeremiah knew much about the blessings to come within the “new covenant,” but God has granted even more to us, which our text explains. So let us become sure and certain of these realities, and hold fast to them, for these are the blessings God wills for us to have and to participate in. And let us do so with great confidence in Jesus!
Transition: And as people of God, people of the new covenant, we have signs and assurances that we do belong to God, for:
III. We Have Participated In The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism And Have Signs Of Our Calling
A. We Have Been Cleansed In Our Baptism
Text: “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
B. We Continue To Confess Our Faith In Jesus Without Wavering
Text: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.”
C. We Are Churchly In Our Lives
1. We are eager for good works
Text: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”
2. We meet together faithfully
Text: “not neglecting to meet together, as the habit of some is.”
3. We know that the day is near, so we meet, fellowship, worship, and commune together frequently, looking for the day
Text: “Encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Statement: Obviously God wants us to have this godly confidence in Him, in His love, His promises, and His Word. This is what our life together within the church is all about – buttressing the faith and confidence of one another in our fellowship together. God has given us all the gifts, all the blessings; if we respond in faith then we will have absolute confidence in Christ.
Application: Again, all of this is under a “covenant” given by God. It is a “promissory” covenant, wherein God binds Himself to provide these blessings to us. This He has done in Christ, His suffering, death, and resurrection! God wants us to have the utmost confidence in all of this!
Conclusion: So let us rejoice tonight, and every time we gather together to hear His Word and receive His body and blood. Let us not sell this sacrament short, or view it sinfully and superficially! Rather, with confidence let us grasp the realities, confident in our great priest, and joyful to enter the heavenly holy places, receiving full forgiveness and cleansing! This is our true home, and where each of us is headed. Thanks and praise be to God, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.