WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:06.540 My least of the least favorite things is shopping and buying a car. 00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:13.700 In fact, I dislike car shopping so much that at one time, Beth can attest for this, 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:20.460 I actually calculated how many more times I would have to do it in the rest of my life. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:24.820 You know, because if a car lasts only so long and human beings only last so long, 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:25.519 well, there you have it. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:29.780 I've only got to go through this ordeal so many more times and then I'm done. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.659 And the thing I think I like, I dislike about car buying so much is the negotiation. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:44.560 The back and forth, the wheeling and dealing, the proposal and counterproposal, 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:47.719 the let me talk to my manager and see what I can do. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:52.579 Are they really talking to their manager to see what they can do? 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:56.900 Now, I understand that negotiation is part of the business. 00:00:57.200 --> 00:00:58.439 I don't blame dealerships. 00:00:58.439 --> 00:00:59.859 I don't blame car salesmen. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.039 In fact, I kind of admire people that can do this well. 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:06.359 But personally, I just wish there was a price and I'd pay it. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:08.460 I could drive off the lot and we'd be done. 00:01:10.900 --> 00:01:13.920 Now, of course, people have been negotiating for a long time, right? 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:14.620 That's nothing new. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:18.719 As long as people have been buying and selling things, I'm sure there's been negotiation. 00:01:18.960 --> 00:01:23.560 Just like we negotiate over cars, I'm sure they were negotiating over camels back in the day. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:35.299 But have you noticed how recently, today, in our sort of time, it seems like everything is negotiated? 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:43.959 Every interaction, every relationship we have seems to be push and pull, a bargaining process, a drawing up of contracts. 00:01:44.479 --> 00:01:45.299 You do your part. 00:01:45.399 --> 00:01:46.120 I do mine. 00:01:46.759 --> 00:01:51.079 We seem to approach all of life as consumers trying to get the best deal that we can. 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:55.640 Even our friendships have at times been swallowed up by this mentality. 00:01:56.039 --> 00:02:04.179 I mean, doesn't social media invite us to present a version or image of ourselves that will then convince others to befriend us or accept us? 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:13.379 We, as it is, we enter into the field of relationships ready to negotiate, to bargain, to try to do what it takes to get other people to buy in. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:15.479 We're trying to take what we're selling. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:21.199 And if it's true of our friendships, it's true of our love lives as well. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:30.439 Sadly, how many marriages seem to end because people think that this wasn't what they bargained for? 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:36.319 That the relationship doesn't serve them anymore, it doesn't give them the desired outcome. 00:02:36.319 --> 00:02:42.019 So it would be best if we just renegotiated and looked for someone different. 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:51.659 And if it's true of our friendships, and if it's true of our love lives, then friends, hasn't it become true of our spiritual lives as well? 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:59.139 That in our relationship to God, we often come as negotiators. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:01.919 Of course, this takes different forms. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:13.719 One way it comes about is, well, God, if you do this for me, fill in the blank, a job, a spouse, a child, an acceptance letter, then I'll promise to always do this for you. 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:16.560 It's a way of bargaining with God. 00:03:17.359 --> 00:03:18.739 Or there's the reverse of that. 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:22.359 God, I've always served you, and I've always done my best to obey you. 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:24.879 So how could you allow this to happen? 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:27.219 What kind of deal is that, God? 00:03:27.219 --> 00:03:31.159 You see, we come as negotiators. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:32.900 Or another way it happens is like this. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:37.579 God, you could never accept me. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:39.620 Not after all I've done. 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:42.860 Not after all the ways I've ignored you and gone against you. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:45.620 You could never take me. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:52.620 But even this is a negotiating mindset, isn't it? 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:57.460 We've just decided in advance that the deal will never go through. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:04.099 But friends, what if God isn't in the business of making deals? 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:07.960 What if God isn't a negotiator? 00:04:09.480 --> 00:04:17.240 What if relating to him isn't a matter of hammering out a contract, but of submitting to his grace? 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:22.280 Our passage this morning is about just that. 00:04:22.900 --> 00:04:28.180 It's about what God has done to set the terms of our relationship. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:35.519 So that we can stop bargaining and stop negotiating and start submitting to him. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:37.800 And start loving him. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:41.519 And even to start enjoying him. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:48.599 Our passage this morning is Hebrews chapter 9, verses 15 through 22. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:51.279 It's page 1006 in the Pew Bible. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:53.279 Let me invite you to turn there with me. 00:04:53.339 --> 00:04:56.979 We've been walking through the book of Hebrews for a number of months now. 00:04:57.039 --> 00:05:02.099 And in these weeks leading up to Easter, it sort of worked out that we've come to the central chapters of the book. 00:05:02.180 --> 00:05:07.519 Chapters 9 and 10, where the focus is on the cross of Christ and his sacrifice for sin. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:18.399 And each week, as we move through this part of the book, we'll see something important and essential about what Christ has achieved through his death for us. 00:05:20.659 --> 00:05:22.819 So let's read our text this morning. 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:26.379 Hebrews 9, starting with verse 15. 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:35.579 Therefore, he, that is Jesus, is the mediator of a new covenant. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:41.879 So that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:48.199 Since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:53.600 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:58.960 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.640 Therefore, not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:11.840 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop. 00:06:12.080 --> 00:06:17.840 And sprinkled both the book itself and all the people saying, this is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:24.060 And in the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 00:06:24.799 --> 00:06:27.659 Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood. 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:33.599 And without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:38.319 Well, friends, here's the main point of our text this morning. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:41.039 And it's what we have right at the beginning of verse 15. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:49.120 Jesus Christ, through his sacrifice, is the mediator of a new covenant between us and God. 00:06:49.840 --> 00:06:55.480 The word therefore, at the beginning of verse 15, points us back to verses 11 through 14 that we considered last week. 00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:58.400 And there we saw two things about Christ's death on the cross. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:02.540 In verse 12, we saw that it secures an eternal redemption. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:12.840 That is, at the center of God's eternal plan of redemption, his plan to glorify himself through the recreation of his fallen world. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:24.480 And through the rescue of a new humanity from every nation, at the center of that cosmic, eternal plan, stands the cross. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:35.920 But even though the cross is as big as the world, at the same time, it's as deep and as personal as your own soul. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:46.600 In verse 14, we read that through the cross, Christ doesn't just execute the great plan of God, but he also purifies our conscience. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:51.120 The troubled soul can find rest in him. 00:07:52.080 --> 00:07:59.100 And the ones who feel dirty and guilty before God can finally be made clean. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:08.820 And because of all that, verse 15 says, Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant. 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:15.500 And I want us to simply look at three things concerning this new covenant that we see in the text of Hebrews. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:16.660 First, what it is. 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:19.160 Second, where it's taking us. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:21.579 And third, how it came to be. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:24.019 Three very simple points. 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:28.139 So first, what is this new covenant? 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:33.980 Covenant language might be totally foreign to some of you, and that's completely understandable. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:43.139 But, you know, when you take a step back and look at the whole Bible, what you see is that the Bible is not primarily a book of rules to follow. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:45.039 Or a book of heroes to emulate. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:47.899 It's actually a sweeping narrative. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:56.459 It's really the story of God, who is the one true king. 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:06.819 And how God, in love, creates a world to display the beauty of his reign, of his kingdom. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:11.199 You see, the Bible is the story of the kingdom of God. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:21.580 But quickly we see that this kingdom God is bringing about is administered through covenants. 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:34.460 And covenants are binding commitments that God makes with his people, whereby he enters into a relationship with them. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:39.379 Today we still speak of marriage sometimes as a covenant, right? 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:41.940 As a binding promise and commitment to another. 00:09:43.060 --> 00:09:45.200 But that's a horizontal covenant between two humans. 00:09:45.280 --> 00:09:46.920 Those are two mutual parties coming together. 00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:49.080 You see, it's a bit different with God's covenants. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:51.120 When God makes a covenant, it's vertical. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:53.040 He sets the terms. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:59.279 So when God made a covenant with the first humans, with Adam and Eve in the garden, the terms were basically this. 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:01.639 Eat from every tree that you see. 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:03.319 Enjoy my presence. 00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:04.939 Know fullness of life. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:07.039 Be my image bearer in creation. 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:09.799 But don't eat from that tree. 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:12.240 Eat from that one. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:14.500 And the penalty will be death. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:14.580 Death. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:17.059 Those were the stipulations. 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:18.159 That was the arrangement. 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:19.700 The binding commitment. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:22.200 The covenant that God made with humanity. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:22.580 Life. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:23.159 Death. 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:27.799 And of course, Adam failed. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.700 And he fell. 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:32.259 And we all fell with him. 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:37.419 And sin and death have plagued humanity and the world ever since. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:46.500 But here's a surprising thing about the biblical narrative and about the kingdom of God. 00:10:47.839 --> 00:10:54.159 You see, Adam's fall doesn't stop our king from making covenants. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.139 It could have. 00:10:56.819 --> 00:11:01.000 He could have let the penalty of eternal death fall right there and then. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:04.039 And our Bible would be about three chapters long. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:12.759 But in his grace, God continued to make covenants with his people. 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:18.539 With Noah and with Abraham and with Israel and with David. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:21.639 And he moves his kingdom forward. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.699 And as it unfolds, we find that the story is not a pretty one. 00:11:26.719 --> 00:11:32.219 Because it seems like the people will never stop turning away from God and choosing death. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:39.759 But then, the prophets start to speak of a new covenant. 00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:44.639 Of a whole new arrangement between God and his people. 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:52.480 And in Hebrews 8, just back one page, the author quotes Jeremiah 31, 31-34. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:55.259 The passage that Ivor read for us earlier in the service. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:59.059 And if you turn back there, just turn back one page to Hebrews 8. 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:06.700 You see that the terms of this covenant are cast completely in the form of a promise. 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:12.620 God says over and over again, not you must, but I will. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:17.759 And we see that this covenant involves three things. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:22.700 First, it involves a new heart for God. 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:26.419 If you're looking at Hebrews 8, verse 10, in the middle. 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:29.580 I will write my law on their hearts. 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:33.100 This means that an interchange takes place. 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:37.939 No longer are our hearts cold and hard toward God, but soft and open. 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:41.679 Our hearts become like flowers opening up to the rays of the sun. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:48.739 I'm no longer shut closed in the darkness, but responsive to the light and reflecting his glory to the world. 00:12:50.599 --> 00:12:55.099 This new heart for God means we have a new relish for God's word. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:58.799 And we actually begin to want to follow him. 00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:00.779 And to trust him. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:01.979 And to obey him. 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:06.500 But the new covenant isn't just about a new heart for God. 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:08.319 It's also a new intimacy with God. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:12.120 I will be their God and they shall be my people. 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:18.120 And then he goes on in verse 11 to show that it's not just some people, but all of them. 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:24.920 Everyone who enters into this covenant will be intimately connected and related to me. 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:27.100 From the least of them to the greatest. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:31.840 There are no second class citizens in the new covenant. 00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:37.620 And this is the essence of the whole covenant idea in the Bible. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:39.980 That we would be in relationship with God. 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:42.340 That he would be our God and we would be his people. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:47.039 And this relationship would be one where we belong to him in love. 00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:56.740 Friends, how humbling it is that the king and God of the universe would stoop to relate to us in such an intimate way. 00:13:57.899 --> 00:14:02.860 And not just as creatures, but as creatures who've rebelled against him. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.000 And gone our own way. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:10.860 The new covenant means that rebels are now drawn into intimacy with God. 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:15.779 But third, it's not just a new heart for God or a new intimacy with God. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.840 It's also a new record before God. 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:18.500 Look at verse 12. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:21.279 I will remember their sins no more. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:25.480 Friends, here's the greatest surprise and privilege of the new covenant. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:29.080 That our sins are forgiven and they are forgotten. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:32.540 That the slate is wiped clean. 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:37.639 Not just of past sins, but of past and present and even future sins. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:39.500 That a total forgiveness is granted. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:44.139 That rebels of the king are given complete and total pardon. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:50.480 Now friends, as we review this new covenant. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:53.019 Stop and consider. 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:57.019 Who could mediate such a thing? 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.039 Can you imagine? 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:10.139 Where rebels deserving death because of their treason are freely granted a new record before their king? 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:12.259 A new intimacy with their king? 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:14.519 A new heart for their king? 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:18.779 Who could broker such an arrangement like that? 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:26.639 Who could mediate between these estranged parties in such a way that the king would grant us such rich and lavish privileges and gifts? 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:35.539 Who could stand between them and change the heart of the king in such a way that enemies would not just be granted amnesty from punishment, 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.840 but an inheritance in the kingdom? 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:45.019 Friends, who else but Jesus Christ? 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:49.440 This is what our text is telling us today. 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:53.540 He is the mediator of the new covenant. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:57.420 The one who is fully God and fully man. 00:15:57.920 --> 00:16:00.600 The son sent by the father in love. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:05.120 Who shared our flesh and blood to bring us to God. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.660 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:15.000 Now before we consider just how Christ brings this about. 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:20.220 How he inaugurates and mediates and what he does to bring the new covenant into being. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:24.220 Look at the next line of verse 15 in chapter 9. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.420 This tells us where this new covenant is taking us. 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.740 What its purpose is. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.060 What its goal is. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.440 The verse continues. 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:41.920 He's the mediator of the new covenant so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:45.960 Why does Christ mediate this covenant for us, friends? 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:52.280 So that when you begin, you will persevere to the end. 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:57.460 So that when you begin, you'll persevere to the end. 00:16:57.460 --> 00:17:02.340 The twin poles of Christian experience are right here in this little phrase you see. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:04.000 Calling and inheritance. 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:07.100 The beginning of our life in Christ. 00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:10.600 Our call and our glorious destination. 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:11.340 The goal. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.319 Our inheritance. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:20.240 We begin when God effectually calls us through his spirit by the preaching of the gospel. 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:23.379 And we respond to Christ in repentance and faith. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:25.700 This is what it means to be called, biblically speaking. 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:29.919 For some of us, God called us through the public preaching of the word. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:36.080 For others, it happened through a friend who patiently shared the gospel with you over time. 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:41.940 And for others, it happened through parents who faithfully spoke to you of Christ as you grew up. 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:46.920 But whenever God did it, and whoever God used, 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:50.700 Hebrews wants us to see that because of the new covenant, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:58.920 those who are genuinely called by God will receive the promised eternal inheritance. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:02.220 He will finish what he started, friends. 00:18:06.800 --> 00:18:10.440 I wonder if you sometimes wonder how things will end for you. 00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:16.420 Do you doubt at times whether God will carry you through to the end? 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:24.980 Perhaps even now in your life, you're experiencing some hardship or some trial or some hurt or some disappointment. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.660 And you're doubting God's care for you. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:35.220 And in that disappointment, in that doubt, you want to come back to the table 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:39.259 and start negotiating with God and start re-bargaining the terms. 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:44.759 But friends, if you've placed your trust in Christ, 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:48.200 if God has called you to himself, 00:18:49.800 --> 00:18:52.539 then your inheritance is secure. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:19:20.139 Now, Hebrews talks about the Christian hope in multiple ways. 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:22.480 Here he calls it an eternal inheritance. 00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:30.200 An inheritance that doesn't run out and doesn't grow old and doesn't depreciate because of inflation. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:34.240 Elsewhere, he calls it the city to come. 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:39.440 In another place, he describes it as a festival of Sabbath rest. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:44.680 And friend, no matter what image you look through or if you take them all together, 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:48.660 you begin to see that what God has in store for believers, 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:52.000 what he's guaranteed for us in the new covenant, 00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:56.640 will far outstrip any hardship of this life. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:00.100 As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:05.280 this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us 00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:09.800 an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:14.839 God will finish what he started. 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:17.859 And the goal towards which he is taking you, 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:21.059 the internal inheritance will make any hardship, 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.799 any trial, any difficulty that we face, 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:28.879 supremely worth it in the end. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.319 Indeed, as Paul says, 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:34.259 they will seem light and momentary 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:38.660 in comparison to that eternal weight of glory, 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.599 our internal inheritance. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.839 And friends, if that is the case, 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:49.400 why would we ever bargain with God? 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:52.039 Why not trust him instead? 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.799 Why not rest in his hands? 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:59.779 Why not trust the one who's made you a rebel, an heir? 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:03.299 Why not trust the one who will preserve you to the end? 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:05.919 Why not trust the one who's given you a new heart 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:08.039 and a new intimacy and a new record 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.180 through a new covenant 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:12.019 mediated by Jesus Christ himself? 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:17.279 Friends, why not stop bargaining 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:20.139 and begin trusting this one 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:22.960 who's lavished such things upon you? 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:28.440 And this brings us to our third and last point this morning, 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:32.740 which is how Christ establishes this new covenant. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.980 How does Jesus bring it about? 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:36.480 How has he mediated such terms for us? 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.660 Look with me at the rest of verse 15. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.200 He says that all this is true 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:45.299 since a death has occurred 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:48.539 that redeems them from the transgressions 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:51.220 committed under the first covenant. 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.539 Of course, it goes without saying 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:58.000 that a new covenant presupposes an old one, right? 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:01.079 And the first covenant that Hebrews is talking about here 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:03.119 is the covenant that God made with Israel at Sinai, 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.559 the Mosaic covenant. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.859 And like the covenant with Adam in the garden, 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.079 the terms of the Mosaic covenant 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.339 were basically the same. 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:11.039 Do this and you'll live. 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.920 Don't do this and you'll die. 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.799 The first covenant, 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:18.480 the covenant at Sinai promised death 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.859 to covenant breakers. 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:22.440 It was a covenant with conditions. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:25.120 And as we read on in the Old Testament, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.940 again, just like Adam in the garden, 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:28.160 Israel in the promised land 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.259 breaks the covenant. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:32.720 And the penalty for such transgressions was death. 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:34.380 And they were expelled from the land, 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:36.640 just like Adam was expelled from the garden. 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:39.100 And so you see, 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.420 what is God teaching us? 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:45.580 What was Israel teaching us? 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:48.660 As we see in Israel the story of all of us. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:52.039 Teaching us that we humans 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:54.860 need more than just a second chance. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.580 We need a redeemer. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:04.900 Our sins have accrued the just penalty of death. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.700 And under the first covenant, 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:13.019 those sins pile higher and higher and higher 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:15.720 until the penalty of death 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:18.720 is like a great, unstoppable wave 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:21.720 ready to crash down at any moment. 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:26.140 And so we need someone to liberate us 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:28.980 from that awful fate 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:32.340 by paying the penalty for us. 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.880 That's what the word redeem means. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:38.420 To purchase another's freedom. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:42.180 To pay the price for their liberty. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.900 And that is exactly what Christ has done. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:49.820 His death redeems us. 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:53.620 Though Christ knew no sin, 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:56.820 on the cross he stood in the place of sinners, 00:23:57.600 --> 00:24:00.040 bearing the penalty of death that sin deserves. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:01.900 And after dying on the cross, 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.500 three days later, 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:04.140 God raises him from the dead, 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:07.000 demonstrating that the sacrifice was complete 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.080 and accepted, 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.880 and raising him from the dead, 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:13.100 God enthrones Christ as king over all, 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.780 such that everyone, 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.520 even now, 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.259 who repent of their sin 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.460 and believe in him 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:22.320 can be set free 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:24.340 from the penalty 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:26.800 of sin and death 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:28.819 and know the blessings 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.039 of the new covenant. 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:33.099 Friends, this is the gospel. 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.319 Whereas the old covenant said, 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.980 do this and live. 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:39.059 The new covenant, 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.119 the gospel says, 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.720 trust in the one 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.399 who's done it for you. 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:48.620 But a question remains, 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.140 doesn't it? 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.640 Isn't there a question lingering 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.560 under all of this, 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.360 for all of us? 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.860 And the question is, 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:58.340 why should his death 00:24:58.340 --> 00:25:00.560 redeem me? 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.720 How can one man's death 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:05.060 2,000 years ago 00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:07.240 have any impact on me today? 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:10.579 And to answer that, 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.359 Hebrews gives us 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:13.319 a threefold answer 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:15.200 in verses 16 through 22. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.339 And the first point he makes 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.180 is an illustration 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.279 from everyday life. 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.779 In verses 16 through 17, 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.660 he talks about a will. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.640 And what we don't immediately see 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.480 in our English translations 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.640 is that the word for will 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.579 and the word for covenant 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:30.000 are the same word in Greek. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.819 I think your ESV 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.359 probably gives you 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:32.940 a little footnote 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.660 telling you that. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.620 So our author is engaging 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:38.639 in a bit of wordplay. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:39.859 He says, 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.699 think of a last will 00:25:41.699 --> 00:25:42.599 and testament. 00:25:44.219 --> 00:25:44.939 When the person 00:25:44.939 --> 00:25:46.119 who sets up their will 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:47.039 dies, 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.619 the will goes into effect 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:50.199 and lots of people benefit. 00:25:51.979 --> 00:25:53.319 The will is read 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.619 and the inheritance 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.359 is distributed. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.559 And it's not like 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.519 you do anything beforehand 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.659 to merit the inheritance. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.859 You simply receive it. 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.319 It's granted to you. 00:26:04.219 --> 00:26:05.239 And Hebrews is telling us, 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:05.939 friends, 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.519 it's just like that 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.160 with Christ. 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:09.000 When he dies, 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:09.900 the blessings 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.840 of the new covenant 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:12.140 or the new testament, 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.180 if you will, 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.660 come issuing forth. 00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.980 And like in everyday will, 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.720 these benefits 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.480 are unleashed 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:21.320 and come to us 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:23.279 by sheer grace. 00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:26.160 So we can see 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.200 in our everyday experience 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.720 how one person's death 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:30.100 ends up benefiting many 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:33.019 by way of illustration, 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.779 by analogy. 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:36.779 But then he pushes us 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.339 a little deeper. 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.180 And the second point 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.539 in verses 18 through 22 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:42.359 points us not to an everyday 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:43.899 illustration or analogy, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.680 but to a deep 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.680 biblical pattern, 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.740 to something that God 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.480 has written into the pages 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.539 of redemptive history. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.700 And in these verses, 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.819 verses 18 through 22, 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.139 Hebrews is referring 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:55.779 to an episode 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.940 in Exodus 24, 00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:57.799 3 through 8. 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:59.419 This is when God 00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:00.079 through Moses 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.480 first ratified 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.299 the covenant 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.419 with Israel at Sinai. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.079 And Moses read the law 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.680 to the people. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.779 And the people said, 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:07.879 we'll do the whole thing. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.500 We'll keep it. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:08.960 We'll obey. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.399 And then Moses 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.220 made sacrifices 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.299 and sprinkled the altar 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:14.119 and sprinkled the people 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:14.659 with blood. 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:17.759 And of course, 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.519 that seems incredibly 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.680 strange to us. 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.759 If that doesn't seem 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.879 a little strange to you, 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.759 you've probably been 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.359 hanging out in church 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.879 too long. 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.099 Sprinkling people 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.719 with blood. 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.679 And a lot of it. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.259 And of course, 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.419 even though this 00:27:36.419 --> 00:27:37.439 strikes us as odd, 00:27:38.219 --> 00:27:38.819 or as we sort of 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.579 condescendingly look 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.579 at the past as primitive, 00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:41.879 you know, 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.539 in the ancient world 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:42.939 it would have made 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:43.659 complete sense. 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:46.299 Because whenever a king 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:48.019 made a covenant 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.799 with a lesser people 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.679 or a lesser king, 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:51.879 they would set up 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.319 an agreement 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.979 and make a sacrifice. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.700 And the sacrifice 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.380 was essentially 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.200 a way of saying, 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.640 if either one of us 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.579 breaks this agreement, 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.700 may I be like that animal. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.940 May I be put to death. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.940 It made a treaty 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.180 or a covenant 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:09.000 a binding oath. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.240 You see, 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.200 so the ritual happening 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.240 in Exodus 24 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.880 wasn't really 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.039 a mystical one. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.380 It wasn't even 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:19.039 a very religious one. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:20.240 In fact, 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.279 what God's doing here 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.299 is actually more at home 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:24.079 in the sphere of politics 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.419 and treaties. 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.659 God's saying, 00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.599 I'm the king 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.039 and you're my people 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:31.559 and here's the deal. 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.839 The great king 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.759 was cutting a covenant 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.559 with his people 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:38.039 and they were agreeing 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.639 that if they didn't 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.319 uphold their part 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:40.779 of the bargain, 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.359 they'd be just like 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.000 the animals. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.460 But of course, 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.960 the thing is, 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.200 Israel was already sinful. 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:54.099 They already deserve death. 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.779 So the sprinkling 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.419 of the blood 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:59.200 wasn't just a sign 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.740 of what might happen 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:02.759 if they broke the law. 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.480 Friends, 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.220 it was a sign 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.000 that these animals 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:08.519 were already dying 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:10.159 instead of them. 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.079 You see, 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.980 for a sinful people 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.579 to enter into a relationship 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:16.099 with a holy God, 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.859 something has to be done 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.940 about sin. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:22.600 sin deserves death. 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:25.140 And the animal sacrifices 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:27.600 were a gracious provision 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:30.039 of a substitute 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.299 from God. 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.519 The animals represented 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.019 the people 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.779 and died in their place. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.340 The whole scene 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.160 is reminiscent 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:39.340 of the first Passover 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:39.740 in Egypt, 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.160 isn't it? 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.799 When the people 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.460 sprinkled the blood 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.840 of the lamb 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.840 on their doorposts. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.779 The lamb, 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:43.980 you see, 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.019 functions as a substitute 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.779 for the Israelites' 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.759 firstborn son. 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.740 The lamb dies 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.859 so that when God's judgment 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.359 comes, 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.960 the firstborn doesn't have to. 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.960 He passes over them. 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.259 So God was teaching 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.779 his people 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.920 an important lesson 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.500 and pattern 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:59.200 from the very start 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.559 that he would provide 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.379 a substitute 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:02.420 to bear the penalty 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.299 of their sins. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.879 And of course, 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:07.319 the animal sacrifices 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.000 were simply 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.259 a foreshadowing 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.879 of something greater 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.319 to come. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.039 Just a pointer 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.460 and a picture 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:18.620 of the true 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:20.779 sin-bearing substitute 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:23.259 who is ultimately 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.480 God himself 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.779 in the person 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.779 of Jesus Christ. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.680 Because Jesus 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.700 is fully human, 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.960 he can represent humanity. 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.940 He can represent 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.640 you and I 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:38.460 because he's one of us. 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.400 And because he's 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.360 fully God, 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:43.180 his death 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.380 is of infinite value 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:46.440 to cover 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:48.500 worlds 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.500 upon worlds 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.060 of sin. 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:54.420 And it is for us 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.900 as our God-appointed 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.760 substitute, 00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:58.020 sufficient for all 00:30:58.020 --> 00:30:58.840 who take him 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.320 in faith. 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:03.980 But often it's 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.560 at this point 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:04.840 that 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:06.880 some people ask, 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:08.100 and I think 00:31:08.100 --> 00:31:09.160 it makes sense. 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.759 all this talk 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.440 of death 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.440 and blood 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.500 and penalty 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.800 and sacrifice, 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.840 why can't God 00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:16.420 just forgive? 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.800 I wonder if you've 00:31:19.800 --> 00:31:20.420 ever asked a question 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:20.920 like that. 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.960 I know I have. 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.820 And to answer 00:31:24.820 --> 00:31:25.360 that question, 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:25.960 our passage 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.560 ends 00:31:26.560 --> 00:31:27.240 his sort of 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.180 three-fold answer 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:30.460 by pointing us 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.600 to perhaps 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.420 the deepest reality 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:32.759 you all. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.700 He says, 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.360 without the shedding 00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:35.920 of blood, 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.600 there is no 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:38.580 forgiveness of sins. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.800 Now, of course, 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:41.800 legally and ritually 00:31:41.800 --> 00:31:42.759 that was the case 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.720 under the Mosaic law. 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.400 That's how God 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.160 set it up. 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.120 But the law, 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:47.460 you see, 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.140 was expressing 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.880 an even deeper 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.400 principle. 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.740 That forgiveness 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:54.140 is always costly. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.039 The answer 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.600 to the question, 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.460 why can't God 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.720 just forgive, 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.840 is twofold. 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.079 First, 00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:02.759 God is utterly 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.359 and completely 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:04.139 good and just 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:04.759 in his perfect 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.220 righteousness. 00:32:05.639 --> 00:32:06.399 God cannot simply 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:08.179 overlook or ignore 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:08.519 sin. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:08.879 That would be 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.439 to contradict 00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:10.059 his character. 00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:10.779 And it's simply 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.500 the one thing 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.500 that God cannot do 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.759 is not be himself. 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.119 But second, 00:32:16.199 --> 00:32:16.619 when we ask, 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.279 why can't God 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:17.919 just forgive? 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.980 We forget 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.859 that no one 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:23.059 just forgives. 00:32:26.199 --> 00:32:27.059 We seem to be 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.539 forgetting that 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.139 forgiveness is 00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:29.039 always costly. 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.059 Think of it 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.919 on a small scale. 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.240 If I throw a rock 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.960 through your window 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.839 because I'm angry, 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.019 you have one 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.759 of two options. 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.659 You can either 00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.379 make me pay 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:43.460 or you can 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.200 absorb the cost 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:44.859 yourself by 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.539 choosing to forgive. 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.519 The damage 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.460 is done 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:49.659 and someone's 00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.240 going to bear 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.200 the cost. 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.339 Of course, 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:55.220 for more serious 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.679 offenses, 00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:56.579 the cost of 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.159 forgiveness is 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:58.099 greater and 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.679 harder to bear. 00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.120 If someone 00:32:59.120 --> 00:32:59.980 mars your 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:00.539 character in 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:00.820 public, 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.240 if someone 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.019 does you 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.980 physical harm, 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.519 the path of 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.140 forgiveness means 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:06.940 to bear the 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.640 suffering of that 00:33:07.640 --> 00:33:08.360 wrongdoing in 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:08.960 yourself and 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.240 refuse to harm 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.340 the other person 00:33:11.340 --> 00:33:11.920 in return, 00:33:12.560 --> 00:33:13.100 even though you 00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:13.940 have every right 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.200 to do so. 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:18.480 So you see, 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.200 no one just 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.680 forgives. 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.100 There's always 00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:20.799 a cost. 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:23.059 And when 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:23.840 Christ died 00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:24.680 on the cross, 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:26.900 he was 00:33:26.900 --> 00:33:27.660 satisfying the 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.319 divine justice 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.059 against sin 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:30.140 and bearing 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:31.000 the suffering 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.519 of wrongdoing 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:34.019 in order to 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.519 forgive. 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.200 As we sang 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.759 just a moment 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.100 ago, 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.039 what a love, 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:41.000 what a cost. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:43.079 we stand 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.960 forgiven at 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.480 the cross. 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.960 And this 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.279 brings us 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:49.839 full circle. 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.180 Christ's death 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.380 redeems us, 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:54.759 frees us, 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.900 liberates us 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.720 from the 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.440 transgressions 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.119 committed under 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.500 the first 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:58.839 covenant. 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.880 Because his 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.339 blood was 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.579 shed, 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.079 forgiveness 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.839 has been 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.319 issued. 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.700 Like a 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.299 will being 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:05.799 read, 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:08.000 the blessings 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.840 flow forth. 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:08.920 death. 00:34:10.120 --> 00:34:10.440 And this 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.740 is how 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.059 and why 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.500 Christ is 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.920 the mediator 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.079 of the 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.400 new covenant. 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:12.860 His death 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:14.260 does exactly 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.600 what the 00:34:14.600 --> 00:34:15.059 new covenant 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.579 promises. 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.000 It does 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.440 away with 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:16.740 sin. 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.400 It pays 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:17.960 their penalty. 00:34:18.620 --> 00:34:19.059 Because of 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.400 the cross, 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:19.720 those who 00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:20.320 trust in 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:20.620 him have 00:34:20.620 --> 00:34:20.880 a whole 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.380 new record 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.100 before God. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.840 And thus 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.059 a whole 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.539 new intimacy 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.240 with God. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:26.880 And thus 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.200 a brand 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:27.820 new heart 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:29.140 for God. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.440 So friends, 00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:33.780 the God 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.000 of the 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.519 universe 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:36.000 doesn't 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.559 stoop 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.960 to bargain 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.579 with us. 00:34:39.700 --> 00:34:40.360 He doesn't 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:40.960 negotiate. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.519 And I 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:43.880 hope now 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.360 you see 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:44.800 that this 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.660 is good 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:46.780 news. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.840 Because the 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.620 terms that 00:34:49.620 --> 00:34:50.039 God has 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.460 established 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.220 in Christ 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:52.960 are better 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.660 than any 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:54.640 we could 00:34:54.640 --> 00:34:55.300 have ever 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:56.360 dreamed of 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.000 asking for. 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.200 And when we 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:00.700 stand in the 00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.120 new covenant 00:35:01.120 --> 00:35:01.600 through faith 00:35:01.600 --> 00:35:02.180 in Christ, 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.780 do you see 00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:05.059 how that 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.519 begins to 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:05.980 change how 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.700 you negotiate 00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.160 your other 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:07.740 relationships? 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.039 For a 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.440 new covenant 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:10.820 believer, 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.260 friends are 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:11.680 no longer 00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:12.160 people we 00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:12.420 have to 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.460 win through 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.300 effective social 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:15.079 media marketing 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.880 and self-imaging. 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.280 In fact, 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.940 we no longer 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.280 need the 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:17.760 approval and 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.059 buy-in of 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.400 our peers 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:18.720 to feel 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.140 secure. 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:19.900 We don't 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.120 need to 00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:20.539 posture 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.039 anymore. 00:35:22.160 --> 00:35:22.579 Not only 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:22.900 do we have 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.500 the favor 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:23.800 of the 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.160 king of 00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:24.620 the universe 00:35:24.620 --> 00:35:24.900 and the 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.320 assurance 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:25.720 that we 00:35:25.720 --> 00:35:26.039 are his 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.980 heirs and 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.220 that he'll 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:27.740 preserve us 00:35:27.740 --> 00:35:27.980 to the 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.340 end, 00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:28.900 but friends, 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:29.260 we have a 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.100 place in 00:35:30.100 --> 00:35:30.539 the people 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:30.840 of the 00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:31.160 king. 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:32.539 because this 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.319 new covenant 00:35:33.319 --> 00:35:34.379 creates a 00:35:34.379 --> 00:35:35.079 new community 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:35.659 of people 00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.399 who love 00:35:36.399 --> 00:35:36.899 one another 00:35:36.899 --> 00:35:39.259 because of 00:35:39.259 --> 00:35:39.679 the love 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.000 that they've 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.699 been shown 00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:41.319 at the 00:35:41.319 --> 00:35:41.759 cross. 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.199 And friends, 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:43.579 this means 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:43.940 that in the 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.259 church, 00:35:44.319 --> 00:35:44.500 in the 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:44.739 local 00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.079 church, 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.500 in our 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:45.940 church, 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:48.259 people who 00:35:48.259 --> 00:35:48.519 would never 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:48.980 be real 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.480 friends, 00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:50.960 people who 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.179 would never 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.500 even be 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:51.859 Facebook 00:35:51.859 --> 00:35:52.420 friends, 00:35:53.879 --> 00:35:54.699 suddenly find 00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:56.219 themselves in 00:35:56.219 --> 00:35:56.699 meaningful 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.619 relationships, 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:58.960 loving one 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.280 another, 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.740 serving one 00:36:00.740 --> 00:36:01.079 another, 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:02.780 getting involved 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.099 in each 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:03.760 other's lives, 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.740 taking interest 00:36:04.740 --> 00:36:05.639 in their 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.059 stories, 00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:06.980 rejoicing with 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.260 them, 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:08.519 bearing 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.280 burdens with 00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:09.599 them. 00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:13.440 The new 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:13.760 covenant 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.380 creates a 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:14.740 whole new 00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:17.039 dynamic in 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.720 our relationships, 00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.199 you see. 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:21.519 And what's 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:21.880 more, the new 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.420 covenant creates 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:23.039 a community not 00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:23.579 only where people 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:24.460 love one another 00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.740 and sacrificially 00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:26.699 and inconveniently 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.059 so, 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:29.119 but it 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:29.500 creates a 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.019 community where 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.759 people forgive 00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.279 one another. 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.320 Because we've 00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:34.739 all been 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:35.679 forgiven through 00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:36.279 the work of 00:36:36.279 --> 00:36:36.759 Christ, 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.119 because all of 00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.639 us stand 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:40.019 equal before 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.699 the cross, 00:36:41.759 --> 00:36:42.579 equally condemned, 00:36:42.799 --> 00:36:43.699 equally forgiven. 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.119 Friends, the 00:36:46.119 --> 00:36:46.659 local church, 00:36:46.779 --> 00:36:47.639 this assembly of 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.179 believers, 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.820 bound together in 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.579 membership, is to 00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:51.840 be the place 00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:53.139 above all 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:54.539 where forgiveness 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.619 is extended and 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:56.119 received. 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:58.259 where we keep 00:36:58.259 --> 00:36:59.880 short accounts, 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.619 where we delight 00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:03.639 to forbear with 00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.219 one another's 00:37:04.219 --> 00:37:04.840 faults. 00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:09.679 Friends, in our 00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:10.239 world of 00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:11.340 negotiations, I 00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:12.019 don't think people 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:13.380 would know what 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:15.199 to do with us if 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:15.779 they saw a 00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:16.420 community like 00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:18.000 that, of love 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.960 and of 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:19.340 forgiveness. 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:19.519 forgiveness. 00:37:22.660 --> 00:37:23.320 Where the 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:24.000 bargaining has 00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:24.460 ceased. 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.460 Where the 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.380 negotiations have 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:27.660 ended. 00:37:30.660 --> 00:37:31.579 So how about it, 00:37:31.640 --> 00:37:31.900 friends? 00:37:33.140 --> 00:37:33.740 In light of the 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:34.800 new covenant and 00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.519 Jesus, our 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:37.680 mediator, how 00:37:37.680 --> 00:37:38.420 will you love? 00:37:39.600 --> 00:37:40.200 How will you 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:40.480 forgive? 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:40.800 How will you 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:40.820 forgive? 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:45.059 May it be so by 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.519 his spirit. 00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:46.900 Let's pray. 00:37:49.340 --> 00:38:00.579 God, in your 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.460 covenant, we are 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:03.320 secure because we 00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:05.100 have an utterly 00:38:05.100 --> 00:38:06.260 perfect mediator. 00:38:08.640 --> 00:38:09.579 Lord, I pray for 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:10.440 us as a church 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:12.700 that we would 00:38:12.700 --> 00:38:14.019 grasp the hope 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:15.000 that we have in 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:15.720 deep and real 00:38:15.720 --> 00:38:16.200 ways. 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:16.279 us. 00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.719 And Lord, as 00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:18.239 we come to 00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:22.000 enjoy the new 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.839 covenant that we 00:38:22.839 --> 00:38:23.960 have, that you 00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:25.460 have given to us, 00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:26.579 God, would you 00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:28.319 make us loving and 00:38:28.319 --> 00:38:28.899 would you make us 00:38:28.899 --> 00:38:29.359 forgiving? 00:38:31.399 --> 00:38:32.119 And God, for 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:32.639 those who are 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:36.460 here, who don't 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:38.759 yet know Christ, 00:38:38.939 --> 00:38:39.519 who don't yet 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:42.659 know the glory of 00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:43.359 being a part of 00:38:43.359 --> 00:38:44.019 this new covenant, 00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:46.400 God, I pray that 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:47.259 you would begin to 00:38:47.259 --> 00:38:50.000 call them, that 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:51.320 you would call 00:38:51.320 --> 00:38:53.719 them forth to 00:38:53.719 --> 00:38:54.440 repentance and 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:55.019 faith in your 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:55.320 son. 00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:59.300 God, we ask all 00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.019 this in Christ's 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.199 name. 00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:00.860 Amen.