Understanding the Covenant of Grace in Redemption

 

Summary

In our exploration of the biblical doctrine of redemption, we delve into the profound concept of the Covenant of Grace. Humanity, having failed to uphold God's law, found itself in a state of spiritual death and bondage to sin. Yet, in His infinite mercy, God devised a plan of salvation, revealed through covenants. A covenant, typically an agreement between equals, takes on a unique form when it involves God and humanity. Unlike human covenants, God's covenant emphasizes His sovereignty and grace, offering salvation not as a mutual agreement but as a divine promise.

The Covenant of Grace, unlike the Covenant of Works made with Adam, is not contingent upon human actions but is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to redeem humanity. This covenant is characterized by God's promise to be our God, restoring the broken relationship caused by sin. It encompasses all aspects of salvation, including justification, sanctification, and glorification, and is made possible through the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the Old Testament, this covenant is administered in various forms, beginning with the proto-evangelium in Genesis 3:15, which foreshadows the ultimate victory over sin and Satan. The covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses further unfold God's redemptive plan, each adding layers of understanding and expectation. The covenant with Abraham, in particular, marks the formation of a distinct people of God, emphasizing faith as the means of entering into this divine promise.

The Mosaic Covenant, while introducing the law, does not replace the Covenant of Grace but serves to highlight humanity's need for a savior. The law acts as a tutor, guiding us to Christ and underscoring the impossibility of achieving salvation through human effort alone. This understanding bridges the Old and New Testaments, revealing a continuous narrative of God's redemptive work.

Key Takeaways:

- The Covenant of Grace is God's unbreakable promise to restore humanity's relationship with Him, emphasizing His sovereignty and grace rather than human merit. It is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ. [07:17]

- The covenant with Abraham marks the formation of a distinct people of God, emphasizing faith as the means of entering into this divine promise. It highlights the spiritual blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. [25:58]

- The Mosaic Covenant, while introducing the law, does not replace the Covenant of Grace but serves to highlight humanity's need for a savior. The law acts as a tutor, guiding us to Christ and underscoring the impossibility of achieving salvation through human effort alone. [36:34]

- The Old Testament covenants, from Genesis 3:15 onward, reveal a continuous narrative of God's redemptive work, culminating in the New Testament fulfillment through Jesus Christ. This unity underscores the importance of understanding the Old Testament as foundational to the gospel. [42:17]

- The gospel begins not in the New Testament but in Genesis 3:15, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout scripture. This perspective invites us to seek and rejoice in the gospel as it unfolds in the Old 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
[06:01] - The Priority of God
[07:17] - The Covenant of Grace
[08:22] - Covenant with Adam
[09:11] - Conditions of the Covenant of Grace
[10:29] - God's Promises
[12:11] - The Essence of God's Promise
[13:23] - Temporal and Spiritual Blessings
[16:09] - Two Dispensations of the Covenant
[19:17] - The Pro-Evangel
[22:58] - Covenant with Noah
[25:25] - Covenant with Abraham
[28:23] - The Mosaic Covenant
[36:34] - The Law as a Tutor
[42:17] - Unity of Old and New Testaments
[42:51] - The Gospel in Genesis

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Covenant of Grace

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:15
2. Genesis 17:1-8
3. Galatians 3:17-18

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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 ultimate victory over sin and Satan? [19:17]

2. How does the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17 emphasize the formation of a distinct people of God and the role of faith? [25:25]

3. According to the sermon, how does the Mosaic Covenant serve to highlight humanity's need for a savior rather than replace the Covenant of Grace? [29:39]

4. What role does the law play in guiding us to Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [36:34]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the Covenant of Grace challenge the idea of salvation through human effort, and what does this reveal about God's character? [07:17]

2. In what ways does the covenant with Abraham serve as a foundation for understanding the spiritual blessings promised to believers today? [25:58]

3. How does the sermon explain the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in terms of God's redemptive plan? [42:17]

4. What implications does the sermon suggest about the importance of understanding the Old Testament as foundational to the gospel? [42:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that the Covenant of Grace is God's unbreakable promise to restore humanity's relationship with Him. How does this understanding impact your view of God's commitment to you personally? [07:17]

2. The covenant with Abraham emphasizes faith as the means of entering into God's promise. How can you actively cultivate a deeper faith in your daily life? [25:58]

3. The sermon highlights the law as a tutor guiding us to Christ. In what ways can you allow the teachings of the Bible to guide your actions and decisions this week? [36:34]

4. Consider the continuous narrative of God's redemptive work from Genesis to the New Testament. How can you incorporate this understanding into your personal study of the Bible? [42:17]

5. The gospel begins in Genesis 3:15, emphasizing the continuity of God's plan. How can this perspective change the way you approach reading the Old Testament? [42:51]

6. How can you identify and overcome any misconceptions you might have about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments in your spiritual journey? [42:17]

7. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts rather than God's grace. How can you shift your focus to trust more in God's promises and less in your own abilities? [07:17]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unbreakable Promise of Redemption
The Covenant of Grace is a profound testament to God's unwavering commitment to restore humanity's relationship with Him. Unlike human agreements, which often depend on mutual effort and merit, this covenant is solely based on God's sovereignty and grace. It is a divine promise that offers salvation through Jesus Christ, emphasizing that redemption is not contingent upon human actions but is a gift from God. This covenant assures believers of God's eternal promise to be their God, restoring the broken relationship caused by sin and encompassing all aspects of salvation, including justification, sanctification, and glorification. [07:17]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively embrace God's promise of redemption in your life today, trusting in His grace rather than your own efforts?


Day 2: Faith as the Gateway to God's Promise
The covenant with Abraham marks the formation of a distinct people of God, highlighting faith as the means of entering into this divine promise. This covenant underscores the spiritual blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. It is through faith that believers become part of this covenant, receiving the promise of salvation and the assurance of God's presence. The covenant with Abraham serves as a reminder that faith, not works, is the key to experiencing the fullness of God's promise. [25:58]

Galatians 3:7-9 (ESV): "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Reflection: How can you strengthen your faith today to fully embrace the spiritual blessings promised to you as a descendant of Abraham?


Day 3: The Law as a Guide to Christ
The Mosaic Covenant, while introducing the law, does not replace the Covenant of Grace but serves to highlight humanity's need for a savior. The law acts as a tutor, guiding us to Christ and underscoring the impossibility of achieving salvation through human effort alone. It reveals the depth of human sinfulness and the necessity of divine intervention for redemption. This understanding bridges the Old and New Testaments, revealing a continuous narrative of God's redemptive work and pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. [36:34]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the law to guide you to a deeper understanding of your need for Christ today?


Day 4: The Unity of God's Redemptive Plan
The Old Testament covenants, from Genesis 3:15 onward, reveal a continuous narrative of God's redemptive work, culminating in the New Testament fulfillment through Jesus Christ. This unity underscores the importance of understanding the Old Testament as foundational to the gospel. The covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses each add layers of understanding and expectation, pointing to the ultimate victory over sin and Satan. Recognizing this continuity invites believers to see the gospel as a story that begins in Genesis and unfolds throughout scripture. [42:17]

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the Old Testament to see the continuity of God's redemptive plan in your life today?


Day 5: The Gospel's Genesis in Scripture
The gospel begins not in the New Testament but in Genesis 3:15, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout scripture. This perspective invites believers to seek and rejoice in the gospel as it unfolds in the Old Testament, recognizing the proto-evangelium as the first announcement of the good news. Understanding the gospel's genesis in scripture enriches the believer's appreciation of God's plan and encourages a holistic view of the Bible as a unified narrative of redemption. [42:51]

Genesis 3:15 (ESV): "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Reflection: How can you seek and rejoice in the gospel as it unfolds in the Old Testament, recognizing its significance in your spiritual journey today?

Quotes

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. [00:35:12]

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. [00:897:36]

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. [00:540:20]

The Covenant of Grace, unlike the Covenant of Works made with Adam, is not contingent upon human actions but is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to redeem humanity. [00:545:20]

The Mosaic Covenant, while introducing the law, does not replace the Covenant of Grace but serves to highlight humanity's need for a savior. The law acts as a tutor, guiding us to Christ and underscoring the impossibility of achieving salvation through human effort alone. [00:2194:11]

The gospel begins not in the New Testament but in Genesis 3:15, emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout scripture. This perspective invites us to seek and rejoice in the gospel as it unfolds in the Old Testament. [00:2571:80]

The Old Testament covenants, from Genesis 3:15 onward, reveal a continuous narrative of God's redemptive work, culminating in the New Testament fulfillment through Jesus Christ. This unity underscores the importance of understanding the Old Testament as foundational to the gospel. [00:2537:11]

The covenant with Abraham marks the formation of a distinct people of God, emphasizing faith as the means of entering into this divine promise. It highlights the spiritual blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. [00:1520:32]

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. [00:2474:20]

The greatest thing a human being can ever say since the fall is this: God is my God, my God, and that you know for certain that God is saying to you, I am thy God. I will be to thee a God. There is nothing greater than that. [00:781:19]

The real division of the Bible is this: everything you get from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 3:14, that's one division of the Bible. From Genesis 3:15 to the very end is the remainder. That's the true division. [00:1098:84]

The thing I want to emphasize is that God since then has only made one fundamental Covenant with men. It is the Covenant of Grace, and he has revealed that great Covenant of Grace in the ways that I've been describing in the Old Testament. [00:2426:83]

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Transcript
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