Pastor Paul used a metaphor to review the sermon series on God’s Covenants. He described a stream representing God's promises and grace through history. One shoreline is the Covenant of Redemption, and the other is the New Covenant. Five stones in the stream symbolize God's covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. You are invited to journey across these five stones, connecting the two shorelines and revealing God's desire for an eternal relationship with you. Let's begin on the shoreline of God's grace before creation.
Shore Line Before Creation: The Covenant of Redemption (Eph 1:4-5, 2 Tim 1:9) was the pre-creation, eternal agreement within the Trinity to redeem humanity from Adam’s sin. This covenant showcases God’s sovereignty over the fate of fallen humanity. The fact that there was a plan to save humanity before creation points to his attributes of love, holiness, justice, mercy and grace. The result of this covenant is on full display through Jesus in the New Covenant. On our way from the Covenant of Redemption to the New Covenant, we take our first step across the stream of God’s grace.
Stepping Stone #1: Adamic Covenant (Gen 2:15-19, 3:14-19) shows that after Adam failed to obey God in the Garden of Eden, God promised a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15. This promise foretold that Jesus (Eve's seed) would defeat Satan, though Satan would harm Him. This covenant highlights our sin and need for a Savior, laying the foundation for God's plan of redemption.
Stepping Stone #2: Noahic Covenant (Gen 9:8-17) shows God’s justice when he caused a flood to punish humanity’s sins. God chose Noah to build an ark to save his family and reproductive pairs of animals. Noah’s faith in God saved them from the flood. Afterward, God promised never to flood the earth again and used a rainbow as a sign of this promise. This covenant highlights God’s patience and commitment to saving humanity despite its sinfulness.
Stepping Stone #3: Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12:1-3, 15, 17) shows God's promises of land, descendants, and blessings to Abraham. God established a lasting relationship with Abraham's descendants and promised to bless those who bless them, and curse those who curse them. This covenant highlights God's sovereignty, justice, mercy, and grace, and His desire for enduring relationships. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, is the person of the Triune God who would offer a way for non-Abrahamic people to have a relationship with God. This of course, is possible through the New Covenant!
Stepping Stone #4: The Mosaic Covenant (Ex 19-24) shows God's holiness and the right way to live with Him and others. God's law, including the Ten Commandments, reflects His holiness. This covenant reveals that we cannot live perfectly holy lives, and breaking even one law makes us guilty. We need a mediator, and Jesus, qualified by God's law, is that mediator. He offers Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Atonement for sin is only possible through faith in Jesus. Each covenant moves us towards the other shoreline, the New Covenant.
Stepping Stone #5: The Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7:12-16) shows God’s promise of an everlasting kingdom ruled by an everlasting King. God promised David that this King would come from David’s line of future sons. This son is Jesus!
Jesus is the fulfillment of all of God’s covenants (2 Cor 1:20):
He is the "second Adam" who restores our broken relationship with God.
He, like the ark, provides the narrow way to escape God's judgment through faith.
He is Abraham's descendant, blessing all nations.
He is the perfect mediator of the Mosaic Law, offering Himself as a sacrifice for sins.
He is the eternal King from David's lineage.
Stepping Toward the Other Shoreline: The New Covenant. These five covenants show the path of God’s grace between the Covenant of Redemption before Creation and the New Covenant after Creation.
Before Creation, the Triune God promised to save humanity from sin and death.
After Creation, Jesus, the Son of God, came to us in human flesh to fulfill the promise of the Covenant of Redemption.
Join us the next two Sundays to be washed, cleansed, and renewed by grace revealed through Jesus in the New Covenant!
It's a great day to live the Gospel!
God willing, we hope to see you on Sundays!
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