The Covenant of Grace: God's Promise of Redemption

 

Summary

The focus of our discussion tonight is the profound concept of the Covenant of Grace, a divine agreement that God has established with humanity. This covenant is not merely a contract between equals but a testament of God's grace and mercy towards us, despite our fallen nature. Initially, God made a covenant of works with Adam, which was broken due to sin, leading to humanity's separation from God. However, God, in His infinite love, introduced the Covenant of Grace, a promise of redemption and salvation through faith, not works.

This Covenant of Grace is central to God's plan for humanity and is revealed throughout the Bible in various forms. It began with the promise in Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the "proto-evangel," which foreshadows the gospel and the ultimate victory over sin through Jesus Christ. This covenant was further elaborated through God's promises to Noah, Abraham, and Moses, each revealing different aspects of God's redemptive plan.

The covenant with Noah assured the stability of creation, while the covenant with Abraham introduced the concept of a chosen people through whom all nations would be blessed. The Mosaic covenant, often misunderstood as a return to a covenant of works, was actually a means to highlight humanity's need for grace and to point towards the coming of Christ. The law given through Moses served as a guide to lead us to Christ, emphasizing our need for a savior and the impossibility of achieving salvation through our own efforts.

In essence, the Covenant of Grace is a singular, unifying theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to redeem and restore humanity. It is a testament to His love, offering us the promise of eternal life and a restored relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Covenant of Grace as God's Unchanging Promise: The Covenant of Grace is God's eternal promise to humanity, offering salvation and redemption through faith, not works. This covenant underscores God's unwavering commitment to restore our broken relationship with Him, despite our sinfulness. It is a testament to His love and mercy, providing a way for us to be reconciled with Him through Jesus Christ. [09:24]

2. The Role of Faith in the Covenant of Grace: Faith is the essential condition for receiving the promises of the Covenant of Grace. It is through faith that we accept God's offer of salvation and enter into a relationship with Him. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust in God's promises and a willingness to live in obedience to His will. [09:57]

3. The Law as a Guide to Christ: The law given through Moses was not a means of salvation but a guide to lead us to Christ. It highlights our sinfulness and our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, pointing us to our need for a savior. The law serves as a schoolmaster, teaching us about God's holiness and our need for His grace. [36:31]

4. The Unity of the Old and New Testaments: The Covenant of Grace is a unifying theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament foreshadows the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's promises, while the New Testament reveals the realization of these promises in Jesus. [42:17]

5. The Gospel in the Old Testament: The gospel message is present throughout the Old Testament, beginning with the promise in Genesis 3:15. This early announcement of the gospel reveals God's plan for redemption and the ultimate victory over sin through Jesus Christ. As we study the Old Testament, we are invited to discover and rejoice in the gospel's presence and its fulfillment in the New Testament. [42:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Redemption
- [00:29] - God's Plan of Salvation
- [01:02] - The Covenant of Redemption
- [01:56] - Understanding Covenants
- [03:37] - Covenant Between God and Man
- [04:40] - Testament vs. Covenant
- [06:01] - The Priority of God
- [07:33] - God's Love in Covenants
- [08:22] - The Covenant of Works
- [09:11] - The Covenant of Grace
- [10:29] - God's Promises in the Covenant
- [12:14] - The Essence of God's Promise
- [13:26] - Temporal and Spiritual Blessings
- [15:16] - Definition of the Covenant of Grace
- [16:12] - Two Dispensations of the Covenant
- [17:35] - The Proto-Evangel
- [19:20] - Old Testament and New Testament
- [23:07] - The Covenant with Noah
- [25:18] - The Covenant with Abraham
- [28:32] - The Mosaic Covenant
- [31:43] - The Law and the Covenant of Grace
- [38:21] - Transition to the New Dispensation
- [42:17] - The Unity of God's Purpose

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Covenant of Grace

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:15
2. Hebrews 9:16-17
3. Galatians 3:17

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of Genesis 3:15 in the context of the Covenant of Grace, and how does it foreshadow the gospel? [19:20]

2. How does the sermon describe the difference between a covenant and a testament, particularly in the context of God's relationship with humanity? [04:08]

3. According to the sermon, what role does the law given through Moses play in the Covenant of Grace? [31:43]

4. How does the sermon explain the unity of the Old and New Testaments in relation to the Covenant of Grace? [42:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the Covenant of Grace demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to humanity despite our sinfulness? [07:33]

2. How does the sermon suggest that faith is essential for receiving the promises of the Covenant of Grace, and what does this faith entail? [09:57]

3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between the law and the need for a savior, and how does this relate to the Covenant of Grace? [36:31]

4. How does the sermon describe the presence of the gospel in the Old Testament, and why is this significant for understanding the Covenant of Grace? [42:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of the Covenant of Grace. How does recognizing it as God's unchanging promise impact your relationship with Him? [09:24]

2. Consider the role of faith in your life. How can you deepen your trust in God's promises and live in obedience to His will? [09:57]

3. The sermon highlights the law as a guide to Christ. How can you use the teachings of the law to better understand your need for a savior? [36:31]

4. How does the unity of the Old and New Testaments influence your view of the Bible as a whole? How can this understanding enhance your study of Scripture? [42:17]

5. The gospel is present throughout the Old Testament. How can you actively seek and rejoice in the gospel's presence as you read the Old Testament? [42:51]

6. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts for salvation. How can you shift your focus to faith in Jesus Christ as the basis for your relationship with God? [09:24]

7. How can you share the message of the Covenant of Grace with others in your community, emphasizing God's love and mercy? [07:33]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unwavering Promise of Redemption
The Covenant of Grace is a profound testament to God's eternal promise to humanity, offering salvation and redemption through faith rather than works. This covenant underscores God's unwavering commitment to restore our broken relationship with Him, despite our sinfulness. It is a testament to His love and mercy, providing a way for us to be reconciled with Him through Jesus Christ. This divine agreement is not a contract between equals but a demonstration of God's grace and mercy towards us, despite our fallen nature. The Covenant of Grace is central to God's plan for humanity and is revealed throughout the Bible in various forms, beginning with the promise in Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the "proto-evangel," which foreshadows the gospel and the ultimate victory over sin through Jesus Christ. [09:24]

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively embrace God's promise of redemption in your daily life, especially in moments when you feel distant from Him?


Day 2: Faith as the Gateway to Grace
Faith is the essential condition for receiving the promises of the Covenant of Grace. It is through faith that we accept God's offer of salvation and enter into a relationship with Him. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust in God's promises and a willingness to live in obedience to His will. The Covenant of Grace invites us to rely not on our own efforts but on the finished work of Christ, who has secured our redemption. This faith is transformative, leading us to a life of obedience and trust in God's promises. [09:57]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God fully. How can you take a step of faith today to rely on His promises?


Day 3: The Law as a Guide to Christ
The law given through Moses was not a means of salvation but a guide to lead us to Christ. It highlights our sinfulness and our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, pointing us to our need for a savior. The law serves as a schoolmaster, teaching us about God's holiness and our need for His grace. By understanding the purpose of the law, we can appreciate the depth of God's grace and the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for our redemption. The law reveals our shortcomings and drives us to seek the grace that is freely offered through Jesus Christ. [36:31]

"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the purpose of the law change your perspective on your need for Christ's grace in your life?


Day 4: The Unity of God's Redemptive Plan
The Covenant of Grace is a unifying theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament foreshadows the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's promises, while the New Testament reveals the realization of these promises in Jesus. This unity highlights the consistency of God's purpose and His unwavering commitment to redeem and restore humanity. By recognizing this continuity, we can see the Bible as a cohesive narrative of God's love and redemption, inviting us to participate in His divine plan. [42:17]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you see the unity of God's redemptive plan in your own life story, and how does this perspective encourage you in your faith journey?


Day 5: Discovering the Gospel in the Old Testament
The gospel message is present throughout the Old Testament, beginning with the promise in Genesis 3:15. This early announcement of the gospel reveals God's plan for redemption and the ultimate victory over sin through Jesus Christ. As we study the Old Testament, we are invited to discover and rejoice in the gospel's presence and its fulfillment in the New Testament. This discovery enriches our understanding of God's redemptive work and deepens our appreciation for the continuity of His plan throughout history. [42:51]

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)

Reflection: As you read the Old Testament, what new insights about the gospel and God's redemptive plan can you discover and apply to your life today?

Quotes

"Men having failed to keep God's La commandment had fallen and had become the slave of Satan and dead in trespasses and in sins and that had he been left to himself his condition would have been entirely hopeless but God in his infinite grace and love and mercy had looked upon men in pity and had informed him of this great plan and purpose of Salvation and of redemption." [00:00:13]

"God has made a new covenant and it is this Covenant of Grace clearly God could not make another Covenant of works with men if men in an ideal position and while perfect couldn't keep the Covenant of Works what is the object of making another Covenant of works with men it's clearly Impossible by definition and the Bible tells us that God has not made another Covenant of works but he has made what is called this Covenant of Grace." [00:08:56]

"God is say has made certain promises what is the Great Central promise that God has made to men in the Covenant of Grace well you know it really can be put in this way he has promised to be a god unto men that's the great promise I will be a god unto thee now you see the importance and the significance of this God had been the god of Adam but here Adam sins against him and Falls becomes the slave of Satan breaks the connection with God and the remarkable and astounding thing is that God turns to men and assures him in the Covenant of Grace that he is going to find a way that he has a way whereby he can still be a God to men." [00:10:29]

"The Covenant of Grace is that Arrangement between the Triune God and his people whereby God carries out his eternal purpose and decree of redemption by promising his friendship hence he promises full and free salvation to his people upon the basis of the vicarious atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ Christ who is the mediator of the Covenant and his people accept this salvation by faith that's it it includes all that it is the promise of God's friendship his being our God that we can enter into intimate relationships with him and know him and it is all made possible by Jesus Christ who is the mediator of this Covenant and we enter into it by faith." [00:14:54]

"The Covenant of Grace can be divided up into two dispensations or if you prefer it two administrations this one great Covenant of Grace is administered and has been administered in two main different ways the way that is described in the Old Testament the way that is described in the New Testament you notice what I'm saying I am saying that there is only one Covenant of Grace I hope before I finish tonight to prove that to you I'm simply saying it at the moment there is only one Covenant of Grace but it has been administered in two main ways two main dispensations of the one Covenant the old and the new." [00:16:12]

"Beginning with Genesis 3:15 you get the announcement of the Gospel the Covenant of Grace the way of Salvation and it's the whole theme of The Bible until you come to the last verse of the Book of Revelations that in a sense is the real division of the Bible but of course we to talk about Old Testament and New Testament because we want to emphasize the two main different ways in which this one great Covenant of Grace has been administered but here it is beginning in Genesis 3:15 and I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between uh her thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thy it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heat now the whole of the Gospel is there it's there in this almost cryptic form in this very immature form but the whole of the Gospel is there." [00:19:20]

"The covenant made with Noah is not a New Covenant of Grace the Covenant of Grace is there adumbrated in Genesis 3:15 this doesn't interfere with it at all it simply introduces certain subsidiary promises and legisl it isn't a New Covenant in the ultimate sense of Grace and of redemption it is simply a temporary legislation what is sometimes called even common Grace as distinct from the special Grace which ures our spiritual salvation." [00:23:07]

"Here the emphasis is placed especially upon the fact that this Covenant is a national Covenant from here on the church and the nation become one and to belong to the nation of Israel means to belong to the church and you couldn't be put out of the church without be putting out of the nation a man who transgressed the law was put to death he wasn't merely punished in a spiritual sense he was literally put out of put to death put out of existence put out of the nation as well then of course great prominence is given here to the giving of the law but I do want to make this very plain and clear that the giving of the Lord does not mean in any sense whatsoever that God is establishing a covenant of works with men again." [00:28:32]

"The law was our school Master to bring us to Christ it wasn't meant to do more than that it wasn't the way of Salvation in and of itself it never was that it isn't that it never can be that there is only one way of salvation and I hope to give you the proofs of that contention and of that statement next Friday night now I think we've all probably learned one thing and I trust have seen it more clearly than we've ever seen it before Christian people have often expressed surprise that um the early church decided to incorporate the Old Testament with its new literature and they say I don't see really as a Christian why I need to be bothered about the Old Testament well if anybody goes out of this service still feeling that I have failed and failed lamentably because I've tried to show you that the same great fundamental in the old as in the new that there it is in the old as in the new that there is this great unity and if we want to know about God's Great purpose we must Delight in tracing it from the very beginning In the Garden of Eden right away through until we come to our Lord the Old Testament the New Testament the old administration of the Covenant of Grace the new administration of the same Covenant of Grace The Marvelous plan of God unfolded the gospel begins not in Matthew 1:1 but in Genesis 3:15 let's never forget that so let us go to our Old Testaments and look for the gospel in it you will find it there almost everywhere in a most amazing and astounding Manner and it is your business and mind as well as our privilege to seek it and to rejoice in it as we find it in the Old Testament." [00:42:17]

"God has made a new covenant and it is this Covenant of Grace clearly God could not make another Covenant of works with men if men in an ideal position and while perfect couldn't keep the Covenant of Works what is the object of making another Covenant of works with men it's clearly Impossible by definition and the Bible tells us that God has not made another Covenant of works but he has made what is called this Covenant of Grace." [00:08:56]

"The Covenant of Grace is that Arrangement between the Triune God and his people whereby God carries out his eternal purpose and decree of redemption by promising his friendship hence he promises full and free salvation to his people upon the basis of the vicarious atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ Christ who is the mediator of the Covenant and his people accept this salvation by faith that's it it includes all that it is the promise of God's friendship his being our God that we can enter into intimate relationships with him and know him and it is all made possible by Jesus Christ who is the mediator of this Covenant and we enter into it by faith." [00:14:54]

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Transcript
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