The Covenant Of God Series

Sermon Title: The Covenant of God

Big Idea: The word “Covenant” appears specifically 313 times in the Word of God. This word is defined as an agreement between God and man. It is often referred to as a contract a covenant is much more than a contract. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties that is dependent on the participants of the contract to preform or keep the provisions of the contract. A contract has a limited time specification which will end or become null and void on a predetermined future date. It also provides penalties for violation of the provisions of the contract.

Strong’s Concordance define the Hebrew Word “Covenant”

OT:1285- beriyth (ber-eeth'); from OT:1262 (in the sense of cutting [like OT:1254]); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh): -confederacy, [con-] feder [-ate], covenant, league. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The first use of this word “beriyth” is seen in Gen 6:18 when God tells Noah of His intentions to destroy the world by flood and that Noah and his family has found favor in the sight of God and will be saved. It is important to note in the definition a “covenant” is made by passing between pieces of flesh. Hebrews 9:22 that it is only in the blood can forgiveness can be found.

A “Covenant” is not limited by date, time, or actions as the contract. However, there are two types of “covenants” in the Bible. First it the “conditional” covenant and second is the “unconditional”. The “conditional” covenant can be seen in:

• Psalms 89:34 My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. NKJV

There are two types of “Covenant’s”

The “Conditional” Covenant

• EDENIC covenant (conditional), Gen. 1:26-31;2:16-17

The “Unconditional” covenants are evident in:

• ADAMIC covenant (unconditional), Gen. 3:16-19

• NOAHIC covenant (unconditional), Gen 9:1-18 –

• ABRAHAMIC covenant (unconditional), Gen. 12:1-4;13:14-17; 15:1-7; 17:1-8

• LAND covenant (unconditional), Deut. 30:1-10

• DAVIDIC covenant (unconditional), 2Sam. 7:4-16; 1Chron. 17:3-15 –

• NEW COVENANT (unconditional), Jer. 31:31-40

The God’s Word expressly use the word “covenant” 313 times and provides us insight into the nature and character of God from Genesis to Revelation.

The concept of “Covenant” is clearly seen in creation as God speaks in the existence the creation of the world. In Genesis 1:26 God forms man out of the dust of the earth and give Adam charge over His (God) creation it is a conditional covenant which limited Adam and Eve to living in the garden and having access to everything in the garden with the exception of the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” (Gen. 2:8). Which is the only condition of God’s covenant placed on Adam while they are living in the garden.

Genesis 22:16 God has promised to Abraham to make him a great nation (Israel) establish Himself as the basis for keeping the provisions of the “Covenant”. That standard is God Himself where there is on other. Something even more beautiful is the Hebrew translation of ‘word’ as used here, which is ‘omer’ (o-mer) meaning “promise” (Strong’s). As children of the Most Holy Father, we are not only in covenant with Him, but we have His unalterable, unchanging, immovable, unbendable, unbreakable, eternal promise. When God entered into covenant with Abraham, promising him that God would make Abraham the “father of many nations”, the Bible said that God had to “swear by His own Name” (Genesis 22:16) because there was no other name that God could swear by that would be able to bring the promise to pass!

Genesis 22:16 and said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son — NKJV

Text Illustration: THE COVENANT OF FAITHFULNESS

In modern times we define a host of relations by contracts.

These are usually for goods or services and for hard cash. The contract, formal or informal, helps to specify failure in these relationships.

The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with the church. He created a covenant. There is a difference. Contracts are broken when one of the parties fails to keep his promise. If, let us say, a patient does not keep an appointment with a doctor, the doctor is not obligated to call the house and inquire, "Where were you? Why didn’t you show up for your appointment?" He simply goes on to his next patient and has his appointment secretary take note of the patient who failed to keep the appointment. The patient may find it harder the next time to see the doctor. He broke an informal contract.