Two Covenants, Two Hopes

Hebrews 8

Introduction

1.      A common question, “Why did God give the covenant to Israel at Mt. Sinai if He intended to change it later?”

2.      Perhaps the best answer is found in Gal 2:24

3.      Notice the things that people have learned

a.       In the garden, there was a choice – the people made the wrong choice

b.      In the law there was a perfect code of conduct – the people did not keep the law

4.       In the end, we need to learn that our future is in God’s hands  

Discussion

1.      Two kinds of priests

a.       Priests who offered sacrifices for their own sins

                                                            i.      Note the failure of Nadab and Abihu

                                                          ii.      Note the failure of Eli

                                                        iii.      Note the failure of the priests who condemned Jesus

b.      A priest who had no sin, but offered himself as a sacrifice for the people’s sins

                                                            i.      John 8:46

                                                          ii.      John 8:29

                                                        iii.      Heb 4:15  

2.      Two kinds of tabernacles

a.       A tabernacle made by human hands

                                                            i.      Made according to the plan revealed on the mountain to Moses

                                                          ii.      Made of the finest materials, yet perishable

b.      The true tabernacle in heaven

                                                            i.      An eternal sanctuary

                                                          ii.      An abiding place  

3.      Two kinds of covenants

a.       A covenant of laws and obligations

                                                            i.      In hundreds of do’s and don’ts, God made decrees for Israel – moral laws, sacrificial laws, dietary laws, cleanliness laws, judicial laws

                                                          ii.      People have tried to divide these laws into two categories, permanently binding the one and forever loosing the other

                                                        iii.      In the Bible, the whole is simply, “The Law”

b.      A covenant that has better promises

                                                            i.      Referred to by Jesus at the last supper – Matt 26:28

                                                          ii.      Predicted by Jeremiah – Jer 31:31-34

                                                        iii.      Based on the blood of Jesus – Heb 9:15-16  

4.      Two hopes

a.       The land of Canaan

                                                            i.      The Canaan that Israel came into under Joshua

                                                          ii.      The Canaan that exists today

b.      Heaven

                                                            i.      It may be described in terms of what will not be there

                                                          ii.      It may be described in terms of what will be there

Conclusion

1.       The New Testament is the constitution for God’s people

2.      It is the basis for the church

3.      It describes how one comes into the covenant as one who is born again, not of the flesh, but of the Word -1 Pet 1:22-23