A Study in the Book of Hebrews

Week 4: A New and Better Covenant

Understand that both of these covenants are a fulfillment to God’s promises. Gen. 3:15, and symbolized in Gen. 4:26 (People began to serve the Lord.)

- God approached man, Abraham. God offered him a promise. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him a righteousness. Rom. 4:5

- Covenant of Works: If you do all that I command, you will be blessed and live. The Law is introduced. Ten Commandments. A system of repair is created through the shedding of blood – the only way sins are forgiven.

- The Law was/is perfect (James 1:25), but the covenant was imperfect (Heb. 7:19)– this covenant set up the need for a new and better covenant. Because the blood of bulls, goats and pigeons could never sufficiently bring forgiveness of sin. (Ultimately, it requires OUR blood.)

- God approaches man by making good on His prophetic promises. God sends His own son to broker the deal.

- The deal: I will write the contract, I will pay the price, I will provide the sacrifice, I will assure its perfection and seal the deal forever.

- Covenant of Grace – God doing for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves either in the covenant of works or any other “ism” that man creates.

- For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.

1. God has made good on His promise.

2. The Gospel is the best “deal” that man has ever been offered.

3. He has justified us through faith, and He will sanctify us through this same faith.

4. The blood of Jesus, when claimed, is able to cleanse us, heal us. Transform us. Renew us.

5. We have hope, we have certainty, we have security, we have motivation, and we have peace.