The New and Better Covenant

Rev. Kevin W. Bounds

The New Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Christ the King Sunday (11-25-12)

“A New and Better Covenant”

Introduction:

1. (Tell the congregation to flip through their Bibles.) Notice the Holy Bible is 66 books in the canon of Scripture and they are divided into two major portions; the Old (39) and New Testament (27). Why?
2. Read the Main Text. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
3. Pray over the reading of the Word.

I.            What is a Covenant? (Verse 31)

1. The first obstacle we must overcome to is the meaning of a covenant.  A covenant is “a pact, treaty, alliance, or agreement between two parties of equal or of unequal authority” (Holman Bible Dictionary, 308).
2. In our day, we think of contracts, but a covenant is much more than a contract. In a contract, if a person doesn’t fulfill their end of the bargain then the contract can be broken. A covenant is not supposed to be broken, even if one side fails. A covenant can be renewed, but not broken!

II.            Why a New Covenant? (verse 32-34)

1. Story of King Jehoiakim rejection of the Word of God. (Jeremiah 36:1-8,21-23-27-28)
2. Israel had broken their covenant with God, but God is faithful! (verse 32)

i.      Look Romans 11:13-25

ii.      It was God’s plan to redemption for the world; to send His only Son!

iii.      Notice it is to provoke Israel to jealousy (verse 15 & 25)

III.            How?

1. Look at Hebrews 10:1-5
2. Remember, “ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
3. Look at Luke 21:19-20

Conclusion:

1. What will you do with this “Great Salvation”?