WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:03.480 Lord, thank you so much for how good and kind you are. 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:10.179 Lord, thank you so much for an opportunity this summer to go through the various ways, 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:17.320 the benefits, the things that were accomplished with Christ on the cross, 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:19.600 his death and resurrection. 00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:22.140 So Lord, open our eyes to your truth. 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:24.600 Open our hearts to receive. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:29.320 Lord, help us to not have a posture of pride, but a posture of humility. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.800 We pray all these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:32.480 --> 00:00:33.399 You may be seated. 00:00:36.520 --> 00:00:41.179 This might be one of the worst ways I've ever opened up a sermon, but I'm going to go for it. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:43.259 These are my Crocs, okay? 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:45.840 These things I've had since I was 18. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:47.340 I'm now 34. 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:50.799 I got these when Crocs first came out. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:53.260 These are Crocs 1.0 right here, okay? 00:00:54.039 --> 00:00:56.939 They were supposed to be my dad's, but they're too big for him. 00:00:57.100 --> 00:00:58.400 I've taken these around the world. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:00.379 They've been melted. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:02.019 Many a campfire. 00:01:02.460 --> 00:01:03.320 Zero tread. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:07.659 The little strap things, which are useless on Crocs, in my opinion. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:09.420 They fell off a long time ago. 00:01:10.039 --> 00:01:12.819 They're relegated to slippers around the house. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:14.420 I will never get rid of these. 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:15.280 Ever. 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:17.560 I might be buried in them. 00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:19.120 I don't know. 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:20.599 But I really... 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:22.159 These are my Crocs. 00:01:22.460 --> 00:01:23.519 It's like a Linus blanket. 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:25.079 Christine hates them. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:26.260 She hates them so much. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:27.299 They're brown. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:27.840 They're ugly. 00:01:27.980 --> 00:01:29.039 I've had them for too long. 00:01:29.679 --> 00:01:31.200 She wants me to get rid of them. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:34.519 My grandmother even bought me a new pair a few Christmases ago. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:35.640 I didn't let on. 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:36.780 I said, oh, thank you so much. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:37.400 They're wonderful. 00:01:37.900 --> 00:01:39.319 Oh, I'm going to wear these so often. 00:01:39.420 --> 00:01:40.599 I haven't worn them at all. 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:42.979 I don't know if we still have them. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:46.899 I won't get rid of them because my wonderful grandmother gave them to me. 00:01:47.399 --> 00:01:51.119 But anyways, that silly illustration... 00:01:51.879 --> 00:02:02.139 By the way, yeah, that silly illustration, I'm going to totally try to say something a bit more deeper from it. 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:15.800 But sometimes, sometimes when we have something that feels right but that is in desperate need of replacing, we often don't do it because it feels comfortable to us. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.580 This actually shows something very... 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:23.020 This croc situation shows something very interesting about human nature. 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:31.140 Namely, that when we're comfortable, when even there's a false sense of comfort, we have a complete... 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:33.160 We can have a complete unwillingness to change. 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:35.780 By the way, these are amoral. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.800 Whether I keep the crocs or not, it's completely amoral. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:48.020 But oftentimes, we have things that we aren't willing to let go that are completely immoral. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:03:00.280 Sometimes the things that we are comfortable with not dealing with are actually pretty destructive for ourselves and for others. 00:03:02.040 --> 00:03:05.420 You can see where the crocs analogy totally breaks down. 00:03:05.419 --> 00:03:10.899 But if you consider the immoral things that we hold on to... 00:03:10.899 --> 00:03:13.459 And I'm not talking about big, grandiose types of sins. 00:03:13.739 --> 00:03:14.879 I'm talking about hidden things. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:20.899 How sometimes we can hide how we manipulate people. 00:03:21.299 --> 00:03:23.799 We apply soft pressure in certain ways. 00:03:24.339 --> 00:03:26.179 And it's a form of manipulation. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:27.079 It's not good. 00:03:27.899 --> 00:03:30.659 But we rationalize or maybe we cheat. 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:32.599 We fudge numbers here and there. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:34.239 Whether it be taxes or otherwise. 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:38.659 Maybe we are just constantly worrying. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:44.739 Or maybe there's a hidden habitual sin around looking at inappropriate images. 00:03:47.579 --> 00:03:49.579 Maybe it's functional alcoholism. 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:51.379 They call it functional because you can hide it. 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:52.279 You can still function. 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:56.419 There's a whole lot of sins that are somewhat easy to hide. 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:01.000 I mean, you can insert something else if I didn't cover it with that short list. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:03.000 That list is by no means exhaustive. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:03.520 Exhaustive. 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:06.819 But why do we hide such things? 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:09.620 Even though they're destructive to ourselves, to others. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:11.639 And more importantly, they're an affront to God. 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:12.879 Why do we do these things? 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:18.339 Being confronted with change is really difficult. 00:04:18.339 --> 00:04:24.899 Change means we need to confront something within ourselves. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:27.599 A behavior, whatever it may be. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:33.179 And if we do it, we run risk of people finding out who we truly are. 00:04:33.679 --> 00:04:38.319 We run risk of breaking relationship with people. 00:04:38.859 --> 00:04:43.599 We run risk of being embarrassed, deeply hurt. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:47.640 So we hide things because it's more comfortable to hide things. 00:04:48.020 --> 00:04:56.460 It's less difficult to endure the pain of having our issues exposed. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:01.839 So what do we do to hide them? 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:02.159 Continue. 00:05:02.239 --> 00:05:03.079 We rationalize. 00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:04.839 It's really not that bad. 00:05:04.899 --> 00:05:05.579 It's not really a sin. 00:05:05.659 --> 00:05:06.479 Everybody does it. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:11.139 Or we say, what I do isn't as bad as this person or that person. 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:14.339 You know, the whole blowing out somebody's candle to make yours shine brighter. 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:20.539 We have all these different ways of downplaying our brokenness. 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:30.319 Even when dealing with it would actually, in the long run, bring great joy and health. 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:33.219 But there is this fear of broken relationship and embarrassment. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:36.439 So we're continuing on in our summer series. 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:38.199 It's called The Crucified Messiah. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:45.539 Last week, George looked at 1 Corinthians 15 and explained how Jesus is our substitute. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:49.479 This week, we'll look at two texts. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:53.259 The text in Luke 22 and also the text in 1 Peter 1. 00:05:53.800 --> 00:06:00.300 And we'll see through the crucifixion of Jesus how he, Jesus, inaugurates a new covenant. 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:02.899 A new covenant. 00:06:05.719 --> 00:06:06.899 And this is the thing. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:11.279 To truly understand the grander story arc of the entire Bible. 00:06:11.859 --> 00:06:16.279 And to truly understand the deep significance of what Christ accomplished on the cross. 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:20.579 We must first understand this idea of covenant. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:24.620 What it is. 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:27.060 Why God makes the covenant. 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:30.739 And by the way, this covenant that we'll look into. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:34.939 It seems like it might be a bit foreign to us. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:40.319 That it worked for those people back then and not for us here and now. 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:44.639 But like I mentioned, to understand the Bible. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:50.959 And especially to understand God in his goodness and how he relates to mankind. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:54.159 We must understand this idea of covenant. 00:06:55.159 --> 00:06:59.240 So, very simply, we're going to look at a few different things. 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:00.560 What is a covenant? 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:02.660 I don't want to assume that everybody knows. 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:03.720 What is a covenant? 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:06.339 What was the old covenant? 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.780 Remember Jesus in Luke 22. 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:12.500 He says that this was the new covenant that he was inaugurating. 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:15.879 Well, if it's a new covenant, that means there must have been an old covenant. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:17.340 What is the old covenant? 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:20.239 And of course, what is this new covenant? 00:07:20.419 --> 00:07:25.399 And the fourth thing, why is blood the pinnacle of it all? 00:07:26.159 --> 00:07:29.119 In both of our texts, blood was mentioned. 00:07:30.219 --> 00:07:33.659 Why is blood the pinnacle of it all? 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:36.519 Okay. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:38.839 What is a covenant? 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:38.919 Covenant. 00:07:39.719 --> 00:07:46.819 So, the biblical understanding of covenants are on one hand like a legal binding agreement. 00:07:47.719 --> 00:07:53.239 We had to see our lawyer for our house purchase. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.000 We just moved. 00:07:54.299 --> 00:07:57.419 And we had a covenant with the bank. 00:07:57.719 --> 00:07:59.239 Sounds really great. 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:01.919 But we had to make a covenant with the bank. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.239 It's this language used. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.419 It's a legally binding agreement. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:12.259 But the biblical definition is more than our understanding of a legally binding agreement. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:18.240 It is a legally binding agreement, but it is deeply intimate and personal. 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:22.420 It speaks of love and mutual enjoyment. 00:08:23.460 --> 00:08:26.639 And it's no wonder that time and time again in the Bible, 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:32.639 when God is referring to his covenant relationship with his people, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:36.159 he speaks of it in the language of marriage. 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:43.199 I tried to piece together a bit more of an explanation, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:47.919 but actually, Tim Keller has a fantastic explanation of this in his book, 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:49.679 Meaning of Marriage, where he describes a covenant. 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:51.139 And he says this, I'm quoting, 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:54.100 What then is a covenant? 00:08:54.100 --> 00:09:00.559 It is a relationship far more intimate and personal than a merely legal business relationship. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:05.360 Yet, at the same time, it is far more durable, binding, and unconditional 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:08.620 than one based on mere feeling and affection. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:14.799 A covenant relationship is a stunning blend of law and love. 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:21.039 Love needs a framework of binding obligation to make it fully what it should be. 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:26.779 A covenant relationship is not just intimate despite being legal. 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:31.899 It is a relationship that is more intimate because it is legal. 00:09:34.099 --> 00:09:36.899 This blending of law and love. 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:40.419 The biblical understanding of a covenant. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:43.899 And there have been many covenants in the Old Testament, in the Bible, 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:49.620 There's the one God made with Abraham, the one God made with Noah, 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:53.519 also with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after the Exodus. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:56.360 However, a better way to understand covenant, 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:59.759 because if there's multiple ones, which one is Jesus referring to? 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:04.199 A better way to understand the biblical understanding of a covenant 00:10:04.199 --> 00:10:09.059 is from Exodus 6, where God declares to his covenant people, 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:12.620 I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:17.539 I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:23.480 Whenever this declaration is made by God to his covenant people, 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:30.519 it comes after God delivers his people from some type of calamity or evil or some foreign thing. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:35.259 So if Noah, he saves him from the flood. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:39.379 For Abraham, he brings him out of a foreign land. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:44.299 For the people of Israel, he brings him out of Egyptian slavery. 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:49.360 And God, he declares, I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:55.419 So what then is this old covenant? 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.779 So if that's an understanding of covenant, 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.460 what is the old covenant then? 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:01.919 Because again, like I mentioned, 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:06.259 many different covenants are made with different people or different people groups. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:12.860 Both of our texts have in mind the specific covenant that God made with his people, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:15.899 Israel, when he rescued them out of Egyptian slavery. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:20.720 So Luke 22, Jesus, celebrating the Passover feast, 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:25.279 which commemorates God rescuing Israel from Egyptian slavery, 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:28.759 takes the cup after the meal. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:38.120 Traditionally, the cup that is the cup of remembrance that signifies the slaying of the lamb without blemish, 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:41.559 that its blood was smeared on the doorpost. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.339 You can read about this in the Exodus story, 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:47.319 whereby the 10th plague was supposed to kill the firstborn, 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:51.720 but when death saw the blood smeared on the doorpost, 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:55.740 it passed over the inhabitants of that house. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.760 That's how we get the term Passover. 00:11:58.460 --> 00:12:03.280 So Jesus here has this in mind when he takes the cup and he says, 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:07.220 this is my blood, this is the inauguration of the new covenant, 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:09.280 this is what Jesus has in mind. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:11.480 Likewise, in 1 Peter 1, 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:17.500 Peter talks about the precious blood of Christ like that of a lamb without blemish or spot, 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:24.440 which is the exact language used to describe the lamb that was to be slain in the Exodus story. 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:31.800 In both cases, this new covenant is looking back at the Exodus. 00:12:34.060 --> 00:12:38.240 Nothing was wrong with the old covenant. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:44.919 This is really important because sometimes as Christians or the Christian church, 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:49.539 we've looked back at the Old Testament or the old covenant and said, 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:54.000 it's no good or we've moved on, 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.279 but the old covenant is actually very good. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.139 It's very good. 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:01.759 The Exodus was a very wonderful and glorious thing. 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:05.980 The thing though, it's that it was not God's end game. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:10.500 It saved Israel, but not the whole world. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:14.779 It rescued Israel from earthly slavery and death, 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:18.840 but didn't solve the problem of eternal slavery and death. 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:23.460 It seemed that the Exodus, as wonderful as it was, 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:25.039 and it was wonderful. 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:29.820 If you've ever had a chance to participate in a Passover Seder, 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.240 the dinner is called the Seder. 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:34.279 It is a very, very, it's a wonderful thing. 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:36.720 And it is indeed wonderful, 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:40.480 but it points to something bigger and more comprehensive. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:46.159 So here's a bit of a good analogy. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.039 I think it's a good analogy. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:51.300 So if you picture yourself at the Bible house, 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:53.159 those of you that know the Bible house, 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.600 if you don't, it's okay. 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:57.879 Across the street, there's a big open pit, 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:00.820 like an undeveloped plot. 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:05.300 And it has wood paneled, like, I don't know, 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:07.860 it's like a wood paneling to keep people out. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:11.680 But also, it's acted as a bit of a mural for the last few years. 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:15.159 There's beautiful murals that go on it. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:18.039 Anyways, this last week, there's a new mural being put up. 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:20.480 And I didn't get to see the finished product. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.159 It looked really good. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:22.639 There were four or five artists there. 00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:27.360 And I noticed that all of them were painting specific panels, 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:33.680 looking at a postcard of what the panel would look like after it was done. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:36.639 The design, the colors, everything. 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:41.159 And from that small postcard, they were painting this big panel. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:43.979 Now, the postcard itself, I'm sure it was beautiful. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.039 Not all the colors. 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:48.139 It would look like a miniature version of what the real thing was. 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:51.739 But the postcard wasn't the end in itself. 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:56.199 It was the lesser thing that pointed to the greater thing. 00:14:56.200 --> 00:15:00.759 And this is this idea of the old covenant, of the exodus. 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:03.800 It is something that is wonderful and glorious. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:10.300 But again, we understand it as pointing to something greater, eternal. 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:18.460 Something that will last forever, stand the test of time, will satisfy everything. 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:21.020 The lesser points to the greater. 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:23.840 We actually see this principle throughout the Bible. 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:25.840 It's actually helpful when we read the Bible. 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:30.000 There's aspects in the Old Testament that are these lesser things. 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:36.060 Again, not bad or not in some kind of way broken. 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:41.100 But the purpose of them was always to point to something bigger and greater. 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:47.600 And this is what exactly what we see the exodus from. 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.680 Or what the exodus is. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:54.479 That it is this rescue from danger and death for a specific group. 00:15:54.599 --> 00:16:01.439 But it is pointing to that time when God will rescue not just Israel, but all people. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:06.479 So what is this New Testament? 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.759 Or this New Covenant, rather? 00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:11.419 So Jesus, obviously, we talked about it. 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:12.559 He inaugurates the New Covenant. 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:14.859 We've established what a covenant is. 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:16.539 What the Old Covenant was. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:19.279 But what is this New Covenant? 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:28.000 In the Old Testament, there are lots of implicit mentions of what this New Covenant will be like. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:34.699 But from all the stuff that I've read, there's only one instance where it's in the Old Testament. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:37.899 There's an explicit mention of the New Covenant. 00:16:38.099 --> 00:16:41.719 And it's in Jeremiah 31, 31 to 34. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.559 I'm going to read it. 00:16:43.599 --> 00:16:44.539 If you want to turn there, great. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:47.799 But I'm just going to read it off the page here. 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:49.779 It says this. 00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:56.000 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:17:03.719 Not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.519 Interesting. 00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:07.639 The New Covenant tied to the land of Egypt. 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:08.799 The exodus. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:13.299 My covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:15.960 Again, marital imagery. 00:17:17.899 --> 00:17:18.480 Verse 33. 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:22.940 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:27.680 I will put my law within them and I will write it on their hearts. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:32.960 And I will be their God and they shall be my people. 00:17:34.060 --> 00:17:38.660 It's a wonderful refrain that we see with covenantal language. 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:43.580 I will be their God and they will be my people. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:50.039 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, Know the Lord. 00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:55.679 For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. 00:17:56.179 --> 00:18:01.319 For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sins no more. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:09.779 At the heart of the new covenant is a relationship with the living God. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:15.240 That beautiful relationship that is this blend of law and love. 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:19.920 Commitment and deep, deep, deep friendship. 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:25.980 But notice in verse 34, God says, 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:29.799 For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:31.500 And he doesn't stop there. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:36.559 Because this relationship, this covenantal relationship with God, 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:39.759 it's coupled with what? 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:45.059 For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sins no more. 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:52.519 Being in relationship with God is only possible when our sins are forgiven. 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:55.319 When our iniquities are taken away. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:00.619 The new covenant will never fade. 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.279 It will never get old. 00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:03.720 It will never become obsolete. 00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:04.079 Why? 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:06.919 Because unlike the first covenant, the old covenant, 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:15.539 where death passed over the Israelites because of the blood of a lamb that was slain 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:23.699 and had its blood smeared on the horizontal and vertical doorpost beams, 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:28.319 this new covenant has a lamb of God who was slain. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:32.379 His blood was smeared on the cross at Calvary. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:36.079 Beams that were both vertical and horizontal. 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:40.500 And it was a sacrifice once and for all 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:45.759 to take away all the sins of all people. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:49.240 So this new covenant will never be obsolete. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:51.359 And what does it result in? 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:54.759 People from afar, not the Israelites only, 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:59.000 but people from afar, from all over the earth, 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:02.720 from all time going forth from that time, 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:06.039 would be in covenantal relationship with God 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:09.640 because he took away their sins. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:14.400 Because the Passover lamb, the true, the greater Passover lamb, 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:16.360 was slain for you and for me. 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:23.560 This is what Jesus is saying when he hoists the cup at the Last Supper. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:29.839 The richness of what we're seeing, it's wonderful. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.940 But I said, why is blood at the center of all this? 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:37.940 We, for me, it seems a bit barbaric if I'm going to, 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.099 blood, why blood? 00:20:40.179 --> 00:20:41.940 Why does there have to be the spilling of blood? 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:44.659 If you've been going to church your whole life 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:48.339 and this doesn't kind of, I don't know, make you feel uneasy, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.539 that's totally okay. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:52.700 But if you're to put yourself in secular shoes 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:54.480 and maybe you are more secular than you think, 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:58.640 the reality is all of us are fish swimming in a secular sea. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:01.279 We are people walking around breathing secular air. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.860 Blood. 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.319 Both texts talk of blood. 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:13.440 In Leviticus 17, God is talking about atonement 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:18.039 and he talks about the only way that atonement will happen 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.779 is if there's the shedding of blood. 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:24.119 And it's this image of justice being accomplished 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:26.299 or justice being realized. 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:30.519 And God in his purity and holiness cannot be in relationship 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:33.639 with impure and unholy things, 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.859 us included. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:40.639 No matter how hard we deny it or mask it, 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:43.660 we have failed and sinned against God. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:45.759 And the thing is, 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:49.860 even though we know the doctrine of the Bible, 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.920 if you call yourself a Christian, you're familiar with it, 00:21:52.800 --> 00:21:55.860 I bet you almost everybody here 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:57.560 struggles with the idea 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:59.920 that they're not, you know, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.460 deep down just a really good person. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.680 I think of myself 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.960 like I'm a good person. 00:22:07.040 --> 00:22:07.680 And to be honest, 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.960 I probably flatter myself a bit too much. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:14.400 And maybe you flatter yourself a bit too much. 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.259 But the reality is, 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.860 the scriptures say that we are bent. 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.720 That we have a propensity 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.039 to hide our sins. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.860 And going back to what I originally talked about, 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:24.819 we 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:28.460 all too often 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:30.240 don't want to deal with the issues 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.440 that come up in our life 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.860 because it's too uncomfortable, 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:35.479 because we run the risk 00:22:35.479 --> 00:22:37.439 of breaking relationship with others. 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:40.599 Or people looking down their nose at us. 00:22:40.719 --> 00:22:43.019 Or feeling that we might be embarrassed. 00:22:44.479 --> 00:22:46.099 And I would say simply 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.339 that 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:49.740 I think that speaks actually 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.399 to us being made 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:53.819 to enjoy 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:56.079 a covenantal relationship with God. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:59.599 That the very idea 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:01.240 of being ostracized, 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.759 it makes our skin crawl 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.339 because we were never meant 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.259 to be ostracized. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.399 Not from God or people. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.679 And yet we are 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:09.419 because of sin. 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.679 So what do we do? 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:12.079 We don't deal with the root problem. 00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:13.419 We put a band-aid 00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.480 on a festering wound 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:16.119 and say there's no festering wound. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.599 I don't know. 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:20.899 Do you see a festering wound? 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.139 Meanwhile, 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.779 gangrene is going up, 00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:24.779 you know, the leg. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.980 I think the way we treat sin. 00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:31.539 So God in his justice 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:33.539 requires that justice 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:35.740 is realized. 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:39.259 But if we had to pay the penalty 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:41.779 for our own sin, 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.759 we would be decimated. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:45.859 So God provides a lamb 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:47.259 and he provides 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.659 a whole sacrificial system 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:50.359 that was never supposed 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.639 to fix the problem 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:53.339 but only point to the lamb of God 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.460 because God, 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.819 for us to be in relationship 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.259 with him, 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.480 we'd have to have 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.759 our sins counted 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.839 against us no more. 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:01.319 So what does he do? 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.359 He makes a means 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.279 for us to have 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.720 our sins taken away 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.740 because our sins 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.539 were laid on Jesus. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.599 He pays the penalty 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.279 for our sins. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.460 He is the Passover lamb 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.960 so that death 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.240 passes over us. 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.619 Not just one instance 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.419 or two instances 00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.539 but forever, 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.799 for all time. 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:23.359 God desires 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.559 and has made us 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.240 and desires 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.259 made us for 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.440 a covenantal relationship 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.379 and desires 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.659 this covenantal relationship 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.059 with us 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:31.180 but then provides 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.700 the means 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.519 by which we can 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.440 enter into this 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.500 covenantal relationship 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.559 with him. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.339 And this is 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.059 the new covenant. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.500 It will never 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.960 grow obsolete. 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.879 It is a wonderful, 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:45.740 beautiful thing. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.259 And listen, 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.899 my friends, 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:49.259 if you don't know 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.780 what this new covenant is, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.440 I would encourage you, 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.640 today is a wonderful time 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.400 to, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.340 a wonderful day 00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:57.400 to put your faith 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:57.700 and hope 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.680 and trust in Christ. 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.640 Remember what it says 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:04.280 in Jeremiah. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.560 This is what it says, 00:25:07.280 --> 00:25:09.280 for they all shall know me 00:25:09.280 --> 00:25:10.220 from the least 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.780 to the greatest. 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.759 It does not matter 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.360 what you have done 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.180 if you are the least. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.420 And by the way, 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:15.960 it doesn't matter 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.480 what you have done 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.259 if you are the greatest. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.420 Because the offer 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.559 is extended to all. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.839 Whether your sins 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.500 are mighty 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.539 or they are not, 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:27.019 you are bent 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.599 and broken 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.980 and God has made 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.940 a way for you 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.700 to enter into 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.860 this covenant relationship 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.860 with him. 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.640 So today 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.900 is a wonderful day 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:37.819 to enter into that 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.960 through Jesus Christ. 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.140 Lastly, 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.559 I will just 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.519 simply say 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.279 that 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:45.519 it is not 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.519 simply that we 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.440 enter into 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:47.900 this covenant 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.920 relationship with God 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.759 and that's kind of it. 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:51.099 We enjoy all the benefits. 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.700 There is responsibility too. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.339 We can be sure 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:56.720 that 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:58.519 if we are saved, 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.619 we are truly saved 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.299 and that God 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.960 will provide 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.579 the way, 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.980 the means 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.579 and the strength 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.359 to endure. 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.539 But know 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.259 that we are 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.639 now in relationship 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:08.480 with God 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:10.139 and we are to live 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:12.620 in a way 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.400 that is befitting 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.860 of being 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.400 in a relationship 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:15.960 with God. 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.200 It doesn't mean 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.900 being perfect 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.320 but it means 00:26:19.320 --> 00:26:20.580 confessing our sins 00:26:20.580 --> 00:26:21.360 when they come up. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.660 Being real 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.780 about our sins. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.640 Not hiding them. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.100 We say something 00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:28.460 Sunday after Sunday 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.340 that we, 00:26:30.280 --> 00:26:31.080 when we pray to God 00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:31.500 that we 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.200 should not 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.720 dissemble 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.720 nor cloak our sins 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.740 before Almighty God 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:36.280 as if we could. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:39.359 but we grow in Him 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.059 and that's why 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:41.940 we do this together 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.480 as people. 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.379 We confess our sins 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:43.920 to one another 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.559 and pray 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.639 why? 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.740 That we may be healed, 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.740 that we may grow. 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.319 So I will just say to you 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.279 if you are in a covenant 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.240 relationship with God 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.079 know that it comes 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.960 with responsibilities 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.859 to walk in His ways, 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:59.139 to confess your sins 00:26:59.139 --> 00:27:00.039 and to receive 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:01.559 those sweet words 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.420 from Christ 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.039 that your sins 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:04.440 are counted against you 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.000 no more. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.519 this is what is 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.640 promised to us 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:09.559 by Jesus Himself 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.920 in the new covenant. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.700 Let's pray. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.000 Heavenly Father, 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:14.799 thank you so much 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.380 for your goodness 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.599 and kindness to us. 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.299 Thank you that 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:20.039 your perfect justice 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.960 and your perfect mercy 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.480 have met 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:23.839 in the cross, 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.539 at the cross. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.960 That Jesus is 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.980 our Passover Lamb. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.839 That you have made 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.059 a way for us 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:31.839 to live the way 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:33.059 you created us to be 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.640 in covenant, 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.299 relationship with you. 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.339 Lord, help those 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:40.559 who might not be 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.220 in that relationship 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.539 with you 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:43.079 that you would draw them 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.980 to yourself this morning 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.700 and for us 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:47.259 that have confessed 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.859 our faith, 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.140 that trust in you, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.660 that we will walk 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:52.619 in a way that's befitting 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:54.640 of this relationship 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.839 with you. 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.440 That we will confess 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.259 our sins, 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.720 that we will love you, 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.460 that we will love 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:01.940 our neighbor, 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.860 and that we will grow. 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.820 Not to be perfect, 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.400 but that we will grow 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:05.980 by the power 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.600 of your Holy Spirit. 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.799 Lord, bless us today. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:11.340 Bless us as we go 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:11.960 into our week. 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.500 Be with us. 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.620 Strengthen us. 00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:15.640 We pray all these things 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.299 in Jesus' name. 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.680 Amen. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:17.779 Amen. 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:17.799 Amen. 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:17.820 Amen. 00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:17.840 Amen. 00:28:17.840 --> 00:28:17.880 Amen. 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:17.900 Amen. 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:19.880 Amen. 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:19.900 Amen. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.880 Amen. 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:21.900 Amen. 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:21.980 Amen. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.880 Amen. 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:23.900 Amen. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.880 Amen. 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:25.900 Amen. 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:27.900 Amen. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:27.960 Amen. 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:27.980 Amen. 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.000 Amen. 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:30.000 Amen. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.019 Amen. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.039 Amen. 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.059 Amen. 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.080 Amen. 00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:31.920 Amen.