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A Better Covenant Series
Contributed by Allen Speegle on Sep 3, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: We enjoy a New and Better Covenant, find out why!
Not Guilty
A Better Covenant
Isa. 54:7-10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. KJV
Covenant = a contract or agreement between two parties
Isa 54:7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
7 Things That Make our Covenant Better
Better = having the qualities that are desirable, superior, of higher quality
1. It is a covenant between God and Jesus.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. KJV
Laid = made covenant with
2. Made us accepted.
Eph 1:6 he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
3. Made our spirits perfect.
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. KJV
It never made anyone really right with God. But now we have a far better hope, for Christ makes us acceptable to God, and now we may draw near to him. TLB
Heb.12:23 the spirits of just men made perfect…..
4. It is not fault finding.
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant KJV
5. Cleanses our conscience.
Heb 9:9 Under this system, the gifts and sacrifices can’t really get to the heart of the matter, can’t clear the conscience of the people. THE MESSAGE
This has an important lesson for us today. For under the old system, gifts and sacrifices were offered, but these failed to cleanse the hearts of the people who brought them. TLB
6. Insures that I will never be abandoned.
2 Tim 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. KJV
If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. AMP
Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us. TLB
7. It is packed with mercy.
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. KJV
Merciful = gracious, cheerfulness that attracts