Bible Readings:
Jeremiah 31:27-34
2 Corinthians 3:1-11
Sermon Outline:
THE NEW COVENANT (Jeremiah 31:31–34)
At the Last Supper, Jesus took up the cup and said:
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you”
(Luke 22:20).
- The Messiah in 23:5–6, and a new covenant in 31:31.
- Cited in Hebrews 8, which is the longest citation from the Old Testament in the New Testament. The Church is new Israel.
1. It is a covenant of free mercy (Jer. 31:32; see Heb. 8:7–8a; Rom. 7:12)
The laws are good laws, but we are not good people — Rom. 4:5.
2. It promises life and power from the Holy Spirit – Jer. 31:33a
The words “Holy Spirit” are not there, but the meaning is — Ezek. 36:27; 2 Cor. 3:3.
The law of Moses was written on tablets of stone (Ex. 34:28–29) or a book (Ex. 24:7).
When once the fiery law of God
Has chas’d me to the Gospel road;
Then back unto the holy law
Most kindly Gospel-grace will draw.
— Ralph Erskine
Thomas à Kempis prayed:
“Write your blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart.”
God changes us, transforms us, sanctifies us — He does not simply acquit us.
3. It will bring God and His people together (Jer. 31:33b; Ex. 6:7; Lev. 26:12)
Fulfilled in John 14:17, 23; Rev. 21:3.
4. It will lead all believers to know God (Jer. 31:34a)
This is not to be interpreted in a silly way — see Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:17.
But the priesthood is abolished — Matt. 23:8–10; 1 John 2:27.
Do not rely on any human teacher.
5. It will provide for the forgiveness of sins (Jer. 31:34b)
There was forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament — Ps. 103:12; Mic. 7:19.
But see Heb. 10:1–4; Heb. 9:15:
“The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin”
(1 John 1:7).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
“We can neither understand nor preach the gospel tangibly enough. A truly evangelical sermon must be like offering a child a beautiful red apple or holding out a glass of water to a thirsty man and asking: Wouldn’t you like it?”