The law the cross and the covenant of grace! Jesus came with a better covenant, established on better promises, and with the greatest Mediator.
The Law The Cross The Covenant of Grace lesson 9
THE LAW
Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.“ 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")
THIS IS NOT YOUR MOUNTAIN; NEW COVENANT = NEW DESTINY
Remember last week we talked about Mt. Sinai where the law was given to Moses. The verse starts with you have not come to this mount. So fearful was the experience that the mediator Moses was exceedingly afraid and trembling. Thank God for the law. It is good and it is holy. It sets the standard for sins definition. However the law must be used lawfully.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."
Those under the law sought to find righteousness through the law. As scripture declares here righteousness found in the performance of the law is not God’s righteousness. God’s righteousness comes exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ. If the object of your faith is anywhere else it is not God’s prescribe order for righteousness. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Verses 4 and 5 is a foundational truth that many have ignored. The law always points to the performance of the man. The righteousness of the law says “The man who does those things shall live by them.” This is not the righteousness of God!
GRACE MOUNT ZION
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
We started this lesson by saying you have not come to Mount Sinai . However, you have come to Mount Zion to the city of the living God. Ephesians 2:6 teaches we have been seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Our citizenship is in the heavenly Jerusalem . Those who are in covenant with God have an innumerable company of angels. The angels of the Lord encamp around those who fear God. Angels are on the case of those who will inherit salvation. You are apart of the assembly of the church of the firstborn. D on’t let the firstborn status skip you. God has bestowed first born status on the church. Our names are registered in heaven. That is all good news but the news keeps getting better. You have come to God the judge of all. Yes, you are on the Mount where just men’s spirit have been made perfect. As Hebrews 10 declares we have been perfected once for all. The greatest news, grace brings us to the place where the blood of Jesus is speaking on our behalf! The blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel. Abel’s blood spoke of guilt and judgment needed. The blood cried out from the ground that it had been spilled upon. The blood of Jesus was spilled out and it still cries out from the ground it fell on. The blood of Jesus 1st of all speaks of the forgiveness of sin. By the blood of Jesus we have been brought near to God the Father. The blood of Jesus speaks of redemption; it still cries out sins remission for every believer in Jesus. Have you ever noticed the anointing that rises when the congregation begins to sing about the blood.
FAITH: THE COVENANT OF GRACE IS THE WAY OF FAITH; THE LAW IS NOT
Galatians 3:12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."
The law is not of faith; the law is the performance of man doing works to be made right with a holy God. You know the law is being preached when the performance of man is lifted up as the way to righteousness and holiness. The way of faith is found in the grace and truth found in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
This covenant we have been brought into is not the law of Moses updated and tweaked. It is the better covenant, established on better promises founded upon the greatest Mediator Jesus Christ Himself.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
We begin a life of living by faith in Jesus Christ! This covenant brings the good news that Jesus is the way to salvation for everyone who will believe in Him. In the gospel is found the righteousness of God unveiled. It starts by faith in Jesus, it ends by faith in Jesus and everything in-between is faith in Jesus. The just shall live by faith.
THE LAW
Moses as a servant in the house
A place of honor
A place of glory
THE WORK OF THE CROSS
John 8:35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
GRACE
Jesus as a Son over his house
The Son has greater honor
The Son has greater glory
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
WHOSE HOUSEHOLD DO YOU BELONG TO?
Hebrews 3 brings beautiful contrast between the household of Moses and the Household of Jesus Christ. Notice the passage starts by bringing your eyes and attention upon Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus we are holy brethren. Because of Jesus we are partakers of the heavenly calling. Because of Jesus we have a confession of faith. Indeed Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. Moses was faithful as a servant and that was glorious; however Jesus was faithful as a Son and that is much more glorious. Moses was the pattern and shadow; Jesus was the substance and reality that the pattern and shadow pointed to. Which household do you belong to? If your faith is in Jesus Christ the Messiah you belong to the household of faith. Hold fast the confession of your faith it is the most valuable thing you possess. Come live in the greater glory! If Jesus set you free from sin you are free indeed. A servant can be sold out but a son abides forever. When my children come into my house they will swing wide the refrigerator door and help themselves. Why? They forever belong to the house. If you will serve God from the mentality that you are a son, it brings strength and assurance that a servant could never possess.
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