The Covenants - Part Two

Four Differences Between the Old and New Covenants

Given on Jul 13, 2019 by Roc Corbett Listen

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The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:6-11 about differences between the old and the new covenants. The one passing away, he wrote, was "glorious" and the one that remains is "much more glorious." This message starts with a proper respect for what God gave Israel of old, and then focuses on four differences between the Old and New Covenants as they are compared and contrasted in the book of Hebrews. These four areas were essential elements of that "glorious" first covenant, and are now essential elements of the "much more glorious" New Covenant.

Sermon Notes

Four Differences Between the Old and New Covenants that Affect How We Worship God and Christ

Handout ~ Part two in sermon series on “The Covenants” ~ Olympia & Tacoma ~ July 13, 2019 ~ Roc Corbett

The Priesthood
The Levitical Priesthood	Our High Priest, Jesus Christ	The “much more glorious” benefits of the new…
Heb. 5:2-3 They had weakness, and sinned as others. Heb. 7:11 There was a need for another priest to arise. V. 12 The priesthood was changed, as was the law… V. 13-14 Jesus was from Judah, not of Levi / Aaron. [Ex. 28:1; 29:9; 40:15; Num. 25:11-13; Deut. 18:5] V. 19 The law made nothing perfect. V. 23 They were prevented by death from continuing. V. 28 The law appoints as high priest men who have weakness…	Heb. 7:15-16 A priest arose, not according to a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. V. 18 The former commandment was annulled… V. 20-21 This was done through the authority of God. V. 24 He… has and unchangeable priesthood V. 26 He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens… V. 28 …but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. [God’s oath ~ Heb. 7:20-21]	Heb. 7:11 God wants His people to be perfected. Heb. 7:19 There is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. V. 22 By so much more, Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. V. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost…since He ever lives to make intercession… Heb. 8:1 “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.”
The Sacrifices
Animal sacrifices “offered according to the law”	Offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all	The “much more glorious” blessing of His sacrifice
Heb. 7:27 Those high priests had to offer up sacrifices, for their own sins as well as for the sins of the people. Heb. 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices… V. 4 This they do according to the law. Heb. 9:13 For if the blood of bulls…sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh… Heb. 10:1-4 The law foreshadowed the good things to come. But with those sacrifices, none could be made perfect. It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Heb. 10:8 God did not desire those sacrifices (which are offered according to the law). V. 11 Those priests ministered daily, repeatedly offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sin.	Heb. 7:27 Jesus does not need to do this… for this He did once for all… Heb. 8:3 Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. Heb. 10:9 Christ “takes away the first that He may establish the second.” V. 12 Christ, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.	Heb. 9:14 How much more…the blood of Christ…? V. 15 For this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant…that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. V. 23 the heavenly things required better sacrifices… Heb. 10:10 By the will of God and Christ we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. V. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. V. 15-18 This is witnessed by the Holy Spirit to us…
The Place of Worship
The Tabernacle and its furnishings	“Heaven itself” ~ “The Most Holy Place”	Where we now may go to worship and pray
Heb. 8:5 They serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed… Heb. 9:1-5 The first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. V. 9-10 It (the tabernacle) was symbolic for the present time…imposed until the time of reformation.	V. 11-12 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands…with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place…	Heb. 8:6 He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. V. 12 “…having obtained eternal redemption.

The Way We Pray

As it was, during formal worship of old

How we may now pray and worship

The “much more glorious” blessings this brings

Heb. 9:6-7 The priests went into the first part of the tabernacle daily, but the high priest alone went into the second part only once a year, not without blood…

(This was part of the law that God had given, until the time would come when Christ would open the way for all to come to the throne of grace.)

Heb. 9:8 The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

Heb. 10:19-20 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, through His flesh…”

Heb. 4: 14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”