THE HEBREWS SERIES

A NEW COVENANT–HEBREWS 8:1-13

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
A NEW COVENANT
HEBREWS 8:1-13
Introduction:

We have seen the word “better” appear several times in the study of the book of Hebrews. It is definitely the “key word” of the book. In this message we see the NEW COVENANT as the Apostle Paul describes it.

This new covenant comes at a particular time in the history of Israel. Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” The new covenant comes when it suited the God of Heaven and not the whims of man.

Let us look at the time of this new covenant and what is included in it.

I. A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY

A. He is the Mediator of a better covenant, v. 6,” But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

B. ESTABLISHED UPON BETTER PROMISES, vs. 6-8.

1. If that first covenant had been faultless, v. 7, “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

2. For finding fault with them, he saith… v. 8, “For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:”

a. I will make a new covenant, Isaiah 59:20-21, “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 21-As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

b. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers… because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord, v. 9.

IV. THE NEW COVENANT ESTABLISHED “AFTER THOSE DAYS.”

A. After the days of Israel’s rebellion…

1. In the desert, v. 9, “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.”

2. After every strong leader (Judges), Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

3. After the Prophets were sent, Jeremiah 1:16, “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”

B. The New Covenant, Jeremiah 31:33-34, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34-And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

1. I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:

2. I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

a. For all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest, v. 11, “And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.”

b. “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more,” v. 12.

CONCLUSION
During the millenium period the Word of God will be taught and every man will know of the Lord. Whether they will received Him as Savior is another question. Many probably will, and yet the Scriptures imply that not all will have an open mind and heart to receive Jesus as Savior.

A CASE FOR MATURITY–HEBREWS 6:1-20

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
A CASE FOR MATURITY
HEBREWS 6:1-20
Introduction:

What is it that holds the believer back from coming to be a mature Christian? In Chapter 5, verses 10-14, Paul deals with this question as he writes this letter to the Hebrew believers.

He deals with the maturity of the believer. Here he also deals with a hypothetical case regarding salvation showing that IF you could lose salvation, you would not be able to regain it.

I. LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST.

A. Paul suggests that these Christians GO ON in their Christian experience.

1. They had been feeding on the milk of the Word,” 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

a. As young believers they needed milk, 1 Corinthians 3:2, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

b. Sometimes believers do not grow as they should, 1 Corinthians 3:3, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

2. Now they need to go beyond the ELEMENTAL TEACHINGS of God’s Word.

B. He admonishes them to grow up in the Lord.

1. Not laying the foundation again, Hebrews 6:1b-2, “not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2-Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

2. Going on to the maturity at which they should have already arrived, Hebrews 5:12-14, “12-For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13-For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14-But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

a. Some of them still needed to be taught “the first principles of the oracles of God.”

b. They were still “UNSKILLFUL in the word of righteousness.”

c. They could not handle the STRONG MEAT, v. 14, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

II. LET US GO ON TO PERFECTION.

A. Paul is referring to Maturity as a Believer, Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

1. Let us cleanse ourselves of whatever it is that holds us back from maturity, 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2. It is God’s will that the believer progress to maturity in his spiritual life, Ephesians 4:14-15, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15-But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

B. Paul refers to a spiritual problem among these immature believers, vs. 4-8.

1. It is impossible for those who were once enlightened…if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, vs. 4-6.

a. If they have received Christ, v. 5, “And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,”

2. If they shall fall away, that is, if they could lose their salvation, it is impossible “to renew them again unto repentance.”

3. WHY can’t they be renewed again? Because it would require that Jesus be crucified again, v. 6b, “seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

III. PERFECTION OR MATURITY BRINGS US TO BETTER THINGS.

A. “We are persuaded better things of you,” v. 9, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”

1. That you be followers, v. 12, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

2. Believers with their trust anchored in Christ, v. 19, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

B. Our “forerunner” has entered into the presence of God on our behalf, v. 20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

CONCLUSION

Christ Jesus goes before us and His Spirit leads us as we mature in Him. Let’s not allow anything to impede our progress toward maturity in the Lord. Don’t allow sin to defeat us. Let’s go on for His honor and glory.