Category: Covenant
Subject: Covenant
Talking about Covenants
There are some terms that are used in scripture to explain how God’s authority works, and how it affects the Old and New Testaments.
In the NKJV of the bible, there are three primary words that are used to describe what these are. They are the words testament, covenant and will. Let’s define each.
In Galatians 3:17 Paul wrote, “And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.” The word covenant (diatheke) is a term with legal ramifications, defined by Thayer as “a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid…especially the last disposal which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will.” Continue reading “Talking about Covenants”
Sermon: The Law of the Heart
Speaker: Tommy Davis
A discussion of the difference between the Old Law (written on tablets), and the New Law, written on the hearts of men.
The Patternists: A Conditional Covenant
There are a number of agreements, or covenants which the Lord has entered into with mankind. Some of these covenants were unconditional. Some had conditions appended to them.
After God had destroyed the world with the flood, he placed a bow in the cloud, with the promise that he would never again destroy the world by water. No conditions were placed on this. It was God’s decision, regardless of man’s actions.
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2020, Jeremiah Cox
The following lessons were preached from November 1-6, 2020 during the West Side Fall Meeting.
Brother Jeremiah Cox is the evangelist for the Elm Street church of Christ in El Reno, Oklahoma. He and his wife Zoe and little girl Collins live in Yukon, OK.
Sunday Sermon in two parts
Boldness to Enter the Holiest (Hebrews 10)
Sunday Class
Asking for Wisdom in Faith (James 1)
Monday
The Defense for My Hope
Tuesday
Walking in the Light (1 John 1)
Wednesday
Memories from Home
Thursday
The Generic Jesus
Friday
If They Were Here, What Would They Say?
The Veil is Taken Away
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14).
The image of the veil accurately expresses the significance of passing from the Old Law to the New. Moses, in giving the law to Israel, paved the way for the redemption of mankind. The Old Testament contains so many things —types, prophecies, law — that God used to prepare mankind for His plan to bring salvation through His Son.
But, that Old Law of Moses was preparatory. It was a harbinger of what was to come. And so, when one looks exclusively at the Old Law, he gets neither the entire picture, nor the full benefits of God’s redemptive plan.
Paul wrote, “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:16). When the gospel is preached to man, some believe it and place their trust in Jesus Christ. In Him is that which allows believers to “be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
The blessing we receive by this unveiling? “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Praise be to God for His great blessings toward us.
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Sermon: The Old and New Covenants
Speaker: Josh Cox
Josh explains the differences between the covenants, and the purpose the Old Law serves for us today.
Sermon: The Samaritan Woman at the Well
Lessons learned from the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman in John 4 include the reality of a new relationship between Jew and Gentile, a new covenant between God and man, a new worship, and a new hope (living water).
The Patternists: The Pedagogue
In ancient times, wealthy Romans and Greeks commissioned a slave to care for the well being and morals of their sons. This trusted slave was called a pedagogue (from the Greek pais – a boy; and ago – to lead).
In Galatians 3:23-24, Paul used the term to refer to the Old Covenant that God had with Israel. The NKJV translates the term “tutor.”
“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
The purpose of the pedagogue (the law) was to guard, protect, and lead to the Christ. It served its purpose well. Faith has come, and Christ is our Teacher, Savior and Lord.
Much can be gleaned about God and His interactions with men even today by perusing that previous covenant. But, it is the previous covenant. Verse 25 states, “But after faith has come, we are no longer under the tutor.”
Some Jewish Christians were seeking justification by an appeal to that previous covenant. With these words, Paul explained clearly that such efforts were vain and misguided. In chapter 5, Paul wrote, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (vs. 4).
Some today seek similar justification from that covenant. Whether it be the observance of the Sabbath, tithing, or the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, they should consider carefully the words of Paul before seeking such validation.
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Sermon: The Ministry of the Spirit
The text of 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 is examined, noting the differences between the two covenants.
Mining the Scriptures: Galatians 2:1-5
Paul was continually embroiled in conflict with Judaizing teachers, who he here refers to as “false brethren.” Their view of the Christian faith nullified the grace of God. They viewed Christ as continuing the covenant between Jews and God, and viewed any Gentile Christian as a proselyte.
Circumcision, as a token of the covenant between God and Israel became the point of contention, and Paul was not going to compromise the gospel to appease these evil men. He protected Titus (a Gentile) by refusing to allow him to be circumcised. Paul’s correct understanding of the covenant of grace was that both He (a Jew), and Titus (a Gentile) were spiritual Jews, whose circumcision was not of the flesh, but of the heart! (cf. Romans 2:28-29).
We have liberty in Christ. Our appeal is to God’s grace. An appeal to the Old Law brings men into the bondage of sin.
Sermon: Hagar and Sarah
A discussion of Galatians 4:21-31. To make your appeal to the Old Covenant, you align yourself with Hagar and Bondage rather than Sarah and freedom. As Christians, we are children of the free woman!
Sermon: Blotted Out
The phrase “blotted out” occurs on several occasions in scripture. Interesting lessons can be learned by examining its use. What God blots out remains obliterated for as long as He wills it.
Sermon: The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul uses the text of Exodus 34:29-35 to establish a contrast between the glory of the Old Covenant and the exceeding glory of the New Covenant. He concludes that the hope we enjoy is because of the glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ (4:6).
Sermon: What About the Thief on the Cross
When a discussion centers on what a man must do to be saved, it is commonly asked “What about the thief on the cross?” Does Jesus’ pardon of the thief, recorded in Luke 23, have any bearing on what He expects of us as we respond to the gospel?
Sermon: Galatians 3
Third in a series of six lessons on Galatians.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
