Embracing the Superiority of Christ's New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Sacrifice Cleanses Consciences

The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was a singular event that forever changed the relationship between humanity and the divine. Unlike the repeated and insufficient sacrifices of the old covenant, Christ's offering was perfect and complete. His blood, pure and sinless, was shed not for the temporary covering of sins but for their permanent removal. This profound act purifies believers' consciences, allowing them to serve God with a pure heart, unburdened by the guilt and shame of past sins. The cleansing is not merely external; it reaches the very depths of the soul, setting individuals free to live a life of worship and service to the living God. [31:41]

Hebrews 9:13-14 (ESV): "For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 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."

Reflection: How can the knowledge of your cleansed conscience change the way you approach service and worship in your daily life?

Day 2: Confidence in Christ's Intercession

Believers can approach God with confidence, not because of their own righteousness, but because of the perfect intercession of Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest. Jesus, having lived as a human, understands our weaknesses and temptations intimately. Yet, He remained without sin, making Him the perfect advocate before God. This unique empathy allows us to come boldly before the throne of grace, where we can expect to receive mercy and find help in our times of need. This confidence is a gift, rooted not in our own abilities but in the steadfast intercession of Christ on our behalf. [24:19]

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: In what situation do you need to boldly claim the mercy and grace available to you through Christ's intercession today?

Day 3: The Freedom of Forgiveness

To be "under the blood" is to live in the reality of complete forgiveness, a state where our sins are not just forgiven but forgotten by God. This profound truth liberates us from the chains of past mistakes and the accusations of the enemy. When feelings of guilt resurface, it is essential to stand firm in the knowledge that we are cleansed and free. This freedom is not a license to sin but an empowerment to serve God wholeheartedly, without the weight of past guilt. It is a call to live in the fullness of the freedom that Christ's sacrifice has secured for us. [33:45]

Psalm 103:12 (ESV): "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."

Reflection: What past mistake is the enemy using to hinder your freedom in Christ, and how can you actively reject that condemnation today?

Day 4: Eternal High Priesthood of Christ

The permanence of Christ's priesthood assures believers of an ongoing, unchanging relationship with God. Unlike earthly systems where leaders come and go, Christ's role as our high priest is eternal. This guarantees us continual intercession and support, providing a stable foundation for our faith. Our access to God's help is not dependent on the frailties of human mediators but is secured by the unchangeable nature of Christ's priesthood. This eternal intercession is a source of great comfort and assurance for believers, knowing that they are always represented before God by their Savior. [27:14]

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 understanding of Christ's eternal priesthood influence your trust in God's continual presence and help in your life?

Day 5: Embracing the Superior Covenant

The new covenant in Christ is not merely an improvement but a complete transformation of our relationship with God. It is founded on better promises, providing believers with a hope that is as steadfast as an anchor for the soul. This covenant is characterized by complete forgiveness, a deep cleansing, and the assurance of eternal life. The promises of God are always "yes" and "amen" in Christ, offering a solid foundation for faith and life. Embracing this covenant means recognizing its superiority and living in the fullness of its benefits, which concern not only our earthly lives but also our eternal destiny. [36:03]

2 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV): "Who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the promises of the new covenant in your daily walk with God?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound implications of Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant He established, which offers us a permanent, superior intercession and a better agreement with God. We delved into the contrast between the old system of sacrifices, which involved the blood of goats and bulls, and the new covenant, where Christ offered His own blood, once and for all, for the payment of our sins. This act purifies our consciences from sinful deeds, enabling us to worship and serve the living God with freedom and confidence.

We discussed how, under the old covenant, the priestly system was temporary and flawed, as priests would die and be replaced. However, Jesus, our eternal high priest, lives forever and offers a permanent intercession on our behalf. His sacrifice was not just for one nation but for all humanity, transcending time and space. This means that we can approach God's throne with confidence, knowing that we will find grace and mercy in our time of need.

We also reflected on the concept of being "under the blood," which signifies that those who have received Christ and His work are forgiven for their sins. This forgiveness is not superficial; it is a deep cleansing from within, setting us free to fulfill God's calling for our lives. We are reminded that we should not be haunted by past mistakes because they are covered by Christ's blood, and we are free to serve God wholeheartedly.

Furthermore, we examined the better agreement and promises that Jesus mediates on our behalf. This new covenant is far superior to the old one, as it is based on better promises. In Christ, we are not just a little bit forgiven; we are completely forgiven, washed, and given hope as an anchor for our souls. We have eternal life, and all the promises of God in Scripture are "yes" and "amen" for us.

Finally, we were encouraged to embrace this better agreement offered by God through His Son. Just as we would eagerly accept a better financial agreement, how much more should we cling to the better covenant that concerns our eternal home and the state of our souls? We concluded with a call to action, to live in the reality of being "in Christ," where we are truly good, regardless of our circumstances.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 4:16 say about how we should approach God's throne? What are we promised to receive when we do so? [21:49]
According to Hebrews 7:24-25, what makes Jesus' priesthood different from the old priestly system? [25:42]
In Hebrews 9:13-14, what is the significance of Christ's sacrifice compared to the old system of sacrifices? [31:41]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of Jesus as our eternal high priest change the way we view our relationship with God? [24:19]
What does it mean to have our consciences cleansed by the blood of Christ, and how does this enable us to serve God? [31:41]
How does understanding that Jesus' intercession for us is permanent affect our confidence in approaching God? [27:14]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy to approach God. How does the knowledge of Jesus' perfect intercession change your perspective on that experience? [21:49]
Are there past mistakes or sins that you find yourself continually reminded of? How can you remind yourself that these are "under the blood" and forgiven? [33:45]
How can you practically embrace the better covenant that Jesus offers in your daily life? What steps can you take to live in the reality of being "in Christ"? [36:03]
Think about a situation where you need God's mercy and grace. How can you approach God's throne with confidence in that situation this week? [21:49]
In what ways can you serve God more wholeheartedly, knowing that your sins are forgiven and your conscience is cleansed? [31:41]
How can you remind yourself daily of the permanent help and intercession that Jesus provides? What practical steps can you take to keep this truth at the forefront of your mind? [27:14]
Consider the promises of God that are "yes" and "amen" in Christ. Which promise do you need to hold onto most right now, and how can you actively trust in that promise? [36:03]

Sermon Clips

"In today's world, we often rush to embrace better financial agreements, yet we hesitate to accept the superior covenant God offers through His Son. We're not just talking about earthly matters but our eternal home and the state of our souls. God is offering us a better agreement, a better covenant, and it's about time we let go of old systems and embrace the fullness of what's provided in Christ." [38:15]( | | )

"Our high priest, Jesus, offered His own life to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. In Christ, we are good, regardless of our circumstances. This is the reality we live in, not just when things are going well, but also in times of struggle. In Christ, we are perpetually good because of His eternal sacrifice." [39:37]( | | )

"Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls could cleanse people's bodies, but Christ's sacrifice is infinitely more powerful. His blood purifies our consciences from sinful deeds, enabling us to worship and serve the living God. This isn't about rituals or ceremonies; it's about the profound work of the Son of God cleansing us from within." [31:41]( | | )

"Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations, having experienced them Himself without sin. This empathy allows us to come boldly before God's throne, expecting to receive mercy and grace in our times of need. We have confidence to approach God not because of our righteousness, but because of Jesus' perfect intercession." [24:19]( | | )

"Jesus' priesthood is permanent, unlike the old system where priests were replaced due to death. His eternal priesthood guarantees us ongoing, unchanging access to God's help. This means that no matter how far we feel from God, Jesus is able to save completely, offering continual intercession on our behalf." [27:14]( | | )

"Being 'under the blood' means that our sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. If we're reminded of past sins, it's not from God but from the enemy trying to hinder our freedom in Christ. We must stand firm in the truth that we are cleansed and free to serve God without the weight of past guilt." [33:45]( | | )

"Jesus mediates a far superior covenant for us, based on better promises. In Him, we are not just a little bit forgiven; we are completely forgiven, washed, and given hope as an anchor for our souls. This new agreement provides us with a foundation for eternal life and a relationship with God that is based on His promises." [36:03]( | | )

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