Embracing the New Covenant: Christ's Eternal Intercession
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound reality of the new covenant we have in Christ, which is far superior to the old covenant. This new covenant is not just a slight improvement; it is a complete transformation of our relationship with God, grounded in better promises. In Christ, we are not just a little bit forgiven; we are completely forgiven. Our hope is anchored in Him, and we have eternal life. All the promises of God are "yes" and "amen" in Him.
I emphasized the importance of embracing the better agreement that God offers us through His Son. Just as we would quickly accept a better financial deal, how much more should we be eager to accept the superior covenant that promises eternal life and a cleansed conscience? The old covenant, with its repetitive sacrifices, could never truly cleanse us. But Christ, our High Priest, offered Himself once and for all, securing our forgiveness and freedom to serve God.
I also highlighted the significance of declaring our position in Christ. It is not enough to acknowledge the truth of Christ's work; we must receive it and declare it over our lives. In Christ, we are good, regardless of our circumstances. This declaration is not just a statement of fact; it is a proclamation of our secure standing before God.
Furthermore, I delved into the empathetic nature of Jesus as our High Priest. Unlike the priests of the old covenant, Jesus understands our sufferings and disappointments intimately. He has walked in our shoes and has experienced the full range of human emotions, including deep sorrow. This makes Him uniquely qualified to intercede for us with genuine understanding and compassion.
Lastly, I spoke about the permanence of Jesus' intercession for us. Unlike the priests of old who died and were replaced, Jesus' priesthood is eternal. He always lives to intercede for us, ensuring that we have constant access to God's help. This is the ultimate assurance of our salvation and the foundation of our confidence to approach God's throne of grace.
Key Takeaways:
- The new covenant in Christ is a complete transformation of our relationship with God, offering us a cleansed conscience and the ability to serve Him without the burden of past sins. This is not based on our merit but on the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, who entered the holy place once and for all on our behalf. [01:10:53
- Declaring our position "in Christ" is essential for living out our faith. It is more than acknowledging a truth; it is about making that truth a reality in our lives. When we declare that we are "good" in Christ, we affirm our eternal security and the help we receive from God, regardless of life's ups and downs. [01:12:46
- Jesus' empathetic nature as our High Priest is not based on mere knowledge but on His personal experience of human suffering and disappointment. This empathy enables Him to intercede for us with a depth of understanding and compassion that is unmatched. [53:45
- Our confidence to approach God's throne is rooted in the reality that Jesus, our High Priest, is forever interceding for us. His eternal priesthood guarantees that we will always have access to God's help and mercy. [55:05
- Understanding the permanence of Jesus' intercession helps us grasp the full extent of His saving power. He is able to save completely because His priesthood is unending. This truth should embolden us to live freely and confidently, knowing that we are constantly upheld by His advocacy. [58:45
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 4:15-16 - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
2. Hebrews 7:24-25 - "But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
3. Hebrews 9:14 - "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 4:15-16, what qualities make Jesus a unique High Priest?
2. What does Hebrews 7:24-25 say about the permanence of Jesus' priesthood and its implications for believers?
3. How does Hebrews 9:14 describe the effect of Christ's sacrifice on our consciences and our ability to serve God?
4. In the sermon, Pastor Charlie mentioned Jesus' empathetic nature. How does this empathy impact His role as our High Priest? [53:13]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to empathize with our weaknesses, and how does this affect our relationship with Him? [53:13]
2. How does the permanence of Jesus' priesthood provide assurance and confidence for believers? [58:45]
3. In what ways does the cleansing of our consciences by Christ's sacrifice enable us to serve God more effectively? [01:04:17]
4. Why is it important to declare our position "in Christ," and how does this declaration influence our daily lives? [01:12:07]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt understood and supported by someone. How does knowing that Jesus empathizes with your struggles change the way you approach Him in prayer? [53:13]
2. How can you remind yourself daily of the permanence of Jesus' intercession for you? What practical steps can you take to live with this assurance? [58:45]
3. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to feel completely forgiven? How can you apply the truth of Hebrews 9:14 to these areas to experience freedom and serve God more fully? [01:04:17]
4. Think about a situation where you need to declare your position "in Christ." How can you make this declaration a reality in your life this week? [01:12:07]
5. Jesus' sacrifice cleanses our consciences and allows us to serve God without the burden of past sins. What specific actions can you take to serve God more wholeheartedly, knowing you are fully forgiven? [01:04:17]
6. How does understanding Jesus' eternal priesthood and His constant intercession for you impact your confidence in approaching God's throne of grace? [54:24]
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to embrace the better covenant offered through Jesus. What steps will you take this week to accept and live out this superior agreement? [01:10:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through the New Covenant
The New Covenant ushers in a radical change in the believer's relationship with God. It is not a mere amendment to the old ways but a complete overhaul, offering a cleansed conscience and the ability to serve God without the encumbrance of past sins. This transformation is possible because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, who entered the holy place once and for all on our behalf. Believers are now completely forgiven, and this forgiveness is not contingent on their merit but on Christ's atoning work. The New Covenant is established on better promises, ensuring that followers of Christ are not just slightly improved versions of themselves but are made new in every aspect of their spiritual lives [01:10:53].
Hebrews 9:14-15 (ESV)
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."
Reflection: How does understanding the complete forgiveness offered through the New Covenant change the way you approach God and live out your faith?
Day 2: Affirming Our Identity in Christ
It is crucial for believers to declare their position "in Christ" to fully experience the reality of their faith. This declaration goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it is about embracing and living out the truth of Christ's work in one's life. When believers affirm that they are "good" in Christ, they are not basing this on their circumstances or personal achievements but on the eternal security and divine assistance they receive from God. This affirmation is a powerful proclamation of their secure standing before God, which can transform their daily lives and how they respond to challenges [01:12:46].
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What does declaring your identity in Christ look like in practical terms, and how can you make this declaration a part of your daily routine?
Day 3: Embracing the Empathy of Our High Priest
Jesus, as our High Priest, offers an empathy that is unparalleled. His understanding and compassion are not based on an abstract knowledge of human suffering but on His own lived experiences. He has walked the earth, felt deep sorrow, and faced disappointments, which enables Him to intercede for us with genuine understanding. This empathetic nature of Jesus is a source of great comfort and strength for believers, knowing that their intercessor in heaven fully grasps the depth of their struggles and can provide the comfort and guidance they need [53:45].
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt deeply understood by someone and how it affected you? How does Jesus' empathy change your approach to prayer and your relationship with Him?
Day 4: Confidence in Eternal Intercession
The priesthood of Jesus is eternal, which means He is forever interceding for believers. This unending intercession provides the ultimate assurance of salvation and constant access to God's help. Unlike the priests of old who were replaced due to death, Jesus' intercession is permanent, offering believers a foundation of confidence to approach God's throne of grace. This confidence is not based on the believer's own righteousness but on the righteousness of Jesus, who stands before God on their behalf [55:05].
Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV)
"But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: How does the knowledge of Jesus' eternal intercession affect your confidence in approaching God, especially during times of need or uncertainty?
Day 5: The Permanence of Christ's Saving Power
Understanding the permanence of Jesus' intercession is crucial for grasping the full extent of His saving power. His ability to save completely is rooted in the unending nature of His priesthood. This truth empowers believers to live freely and confidently, knowing that they are constantly upheld by His advocacy. The permanence of Christ's intercession is a testament to the unwavering nature of God's love and commitment to His people, providing them with a steadfast hope and assurance in their salvation [58:45].
Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV)
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Reflection: In what ways can the assurance of Christ's unending intercession inspire you to live with greater boldness and freedom in your daily life?
Quotes
"In Christ, I'm good whether I'm on a mountain or in a valley, I'm good whether I'm accepted in the college I want, my dream college, or I'm going to Community College. I'm good whatever it is. I'm good for all time. It might be better to say in Christ, then it becomes reality. In Christ, I'm good." [01:12:46
"Jesus doesn't just have head knowledge about us, that's right, read a book about you. No, no, no, no. He has experiential knowledge of what it means to suffer, even when you're doing everything right. Lord, I'm serving you, I'm pleasing you, and but I'm still going to obey you, I'm still going to trust you." [53:45
"Jesus our high priest has been given a Ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood. He is the one who mediates for us a far better Covenant with God based on better promises. In Him, I'm not just a little bit forgiven, I'm completely forgiven. I'm washed in Him, I have hope as an anchor to my soul, in Him I have eternal life." [01:08:14
"Jesus cried out to God made prayers and petitions to him, was confident that God heard him, his father heard him, even when his heavenly father did not answer the prayer the way he wanted him to answer the prayer. He knows what it's like for us to pray and not get the prayer answered the way we want it to." [47:28
"Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, to the farthest most remote parts. He can save not once but for all time forever. I don't care how far away you think you are from God, he is able, his priesthood, his ability to help is an everlasting permanent one." [59:25
"Jesus offered himself as the once and for all sacrifice, not for one nation but for the entire world. Every nation, every tribe, if you want to come into the holies, you want to come into the presence of God, come on. And then when you come into the holy place, there's light, Jesus is the light of the world." [56:07
"Because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore, he is able once and forever to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on our behalf. What in the world does intercession mean? It means to intervene on someone's behalf, and it changes things." [58:45
"Jesus, the writer of the Hebrews says, is superior because of the agreement and the promises that he facilitates, that he mediates on our behalf. Jesus our high priest has been given a Ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood." [01:08:14
"Let's make this declaration together because of Christ I can worship God totally. For by the power of the eternal spirit, Christ offered himself to God. So declaration, let's make this declaration because of Christ, I can worship God totally." [01:04:56
"We forever have a high priest in Jesus whose priesthood lasts forever and he constantly makes intercession on our behalf. Therefore, he's able to help us constantly. It's a permanent intercession." [01:01:41
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