Bible Study - Count On (6) - GOD'S Promise of a New Covenant - Jeremiah and Luke - July 14, 2024

Bible Study – Count On (6) – GOD’S Promise of a New Covenant – July 14, 2024

Our focus scripture is Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Luke 22:14-20.

In our last week’s Bible Study, we considered the various covenants GOD made with the Israelites. These covenants were external steppingstones for all who place their faith in The One True GOD. They were designed to lead people to HIS redemptive plan, which was and is faith in HIS only SON, JESUS.

Obeying the law and honoring covenants were place holders until GOD’S promised ONE, The Messiah, would come into the world at GOD’S appointed time as revealed in scripture.

GOD’S grace would come through faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS, being the perfect, willing acceptable sacrifice to GOD to pay, in full, for all sin. So, how did the road/path to redemption begin?

GOD led Abram/Abraham and Abram’s then family to a land that GOD would show him. Abram trusted GOD and responded in faith. According to Biblical timeline this was about 2166 BC. According to this same timeline Moses was born 1526 BC.

GOD (I AM, YAWEH), revealed Himself to Moses by speaking to him through a burning bush that was not consumed. GOD first got Moses’ attention and then revealed Himself through HIS mighty works, not only to Moses, but also to the Israelites and the Egyptians.

GOD chose the Israelites, through whom, HE would reveal Himself and through Whom, GOD’S complete redemptive plan would become a reality. GOD’S redemptive plan would come through faith in HIS Only SON, JESUS. The criteria were that JESUS would come to earth 100% human, yet GOD, and be tempted in all ways as humans are tempted to sin, yet remain sinless. JESUS would be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all people who would place their faith in JESUS. GOD revealed HIS plan, over time, through scripture. GOD chose the timeline when HIS redemptive plan would be revealed and executed because it required specific physical and governmental involvement to be in place.

At the appointed time, JESUS willingly came to earth; born physically 100% human. I HE cut HIS finger he bled and said, ouch. He had to remain sinless.

HE came to redeem all who were under the death penalty for being offsprings of Adam and Eve. Redemption would be voluntary but would be inspired by GOD and The Holy Spirit. JESUS fulfilled the law. HIS blood was shed and as such HE became the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, HIS FATHER, to redeem all from eternal death who will place their faith in HIM.

When a person places his/her faith in JESUS, his/her sins are forgiven and that person is Spiritually born into GOD’S eternal family, never to be Spiritually unborn. GOD gives to each person the gift of the Holy Spirit as HIS guarantee of full, complete, and eternal salvation through faith in JESUS.

Sin blocks the path to GOD but the shed blood of JESUS, GOD’S perfect acceptable sacrifice removed the sin barrier. This opened the door to GOD, through faith in JESUS. All people have the freedom to choose and either accept or reject JESUS as their Savior. Choose wisely!

GOD’S desire is for all to accept JESUS as their Savior and to be Spirit born and receive eternal life. But every person has the freedom to choose. Does GOD know us? If so, when did GOD know you?

Let’s consider Ephesians 1 and focus on verse 4. (Keep in mind that the Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was a Pharisee and sought to eliminate all who believed in JESUS. Paul studied under Gamaliel, a highly respected Pharisee and prominent member of the Sanhedrin and known for his wisdom. After Paul’s encounter with JESUS and his conversion, Paul spent time pondering and praying about his conversion experience. Paul contends that JESUS taught him.)

Let’s consider what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3-14: ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

GOD had a redemptive plan for the redemption of humankind from the original sin committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden which came through the first Adam. Adam’s sin condemned all humankind to be eternally separated from the ONE TRUE GOD, I AM/YAWEH.

Keep in mind GOD desired a people who had the freedom to choose HIM based upon their freewill to choose.

GOD made various covenants with the Israelites to draw them closer to HIM and prepared them for the final and eternal covenant, which was fulfilled and eternally secured by JESUS, the second Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:47: The first man [Adam] is from the earth, earthy [made of dust]; the second Man [Christ, the Lord] is from heaven.)

Why did GOD make humankind? GOD could have made humans like robots and programed them to love HIM. Instead, HE wanted humans to be free to choose. HE chose all HE foreknew but those HE foreknew would have the freedom to choose or reject HIM. GOD places obstacles in the path of those HE foreknew to guide them to freely choose HIM, by placing his/her faith in JESUS.

GOD used covenants to build right relationships with HIM and the Israelites and those who embraced Judaism. The ultimate covenant is eternal and fulfilled through the life, death by the shedding of blood, bodily resurrection, bodily ascension of JESUS, as confirmed and guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Jeremiah 31:31-32:

The New Covenant

³¹ “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration— “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ³² This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”^[i]—the Lord’s declaration. 

This covenant was made with both the House of Israel and House of Judah. When the Israelites were led out of Egypt, they were united. GOD, through Moses, led them out of Egypt to Mount Sinai and ultimately to the promised land. GOD’S desire was for HIM to speak directly to the Israelites, but they were afraid and asked Moses to be their emissary. The passion of JESUS gives all people direct access to GOD, to be Spirit Born through faith in JESUS and to call GOD, DADDY. We who know the truth through the miracle of Spiritual birth have been born-again by GOD’S Spirit, the Divine Sperm, have eternal life. We are to share this Good News with others as led by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Jeremiah 31:33-34:

³³ “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴ No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.

There will be a united Israel for the coming of the promised Messiah and HIS passion.

A new day is coming for all people of the earth through a united Israel.

We fast forward to JESUS celebrating the first “LORD’S Supper” with HIS disciples. JESUS would be betrayed by Judas and crucified. JESUS was dead and buried by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They knew JESUS was physically dead.

But that was not the end. GOD’S redemptive plan was in place and hidden from Satan. Satan did not comprehend. CHRIST in us through faith is the key. This truth is powerful and eternal for all who know this truth, to those who are to receive the GOOD NEWS of eternal salvation.

We fast forward to the night before the crucifixion of JESUS. JESUS was with HIS disciples. All were in place for GOD’S redemptive plan to be completed and kept secure. Why?

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:6-9:⁶ We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written,

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

The best is yet to come for all who place their faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Luke 22:14-20:

The First Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again^[b] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

²⁰ In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.^[c]

JESUS knew what was ahead for HIM and HE left us the example of The LORD’S Supper to celebrate HIS love for every person, who will accept HIS eternal gift of salvation.

An eternal conception takes place the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him/her of his/her sins and for JESUS to come into that person’s heart. GOD’S Spirit, the divine sperm, unites with that person’s human spirit and a divine conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. That person instantly becomes GOD’S eternal Son or Daughter, never to be Spiritually unborn. That person becomes the temple to house the Holy Spirit and to serve GOD on earth and in Heaven.

Now Folks that is Good News!!! It is worth sharing with others as led by the Holy Spirit.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you of your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart? If not, why not now? Pray a prayer something like this:

Dear JESUS, I know that I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins and I ask YOU to come into my heart. Thank YOU for giving YOUR sinless life by the shedding of YOUR blood to redeem me from Hell and for giving me eternal life through my faith in YOU. Thank you for coming into my heart and confirming that YOU have redeemed me to live for YOU as YOU lead and guide me each moment of each day. Open my eyes to YOUR truth as I read and study YOUR Word and put it into practice.

The Gospel of John is a good starting point. Pray as you read and study.

If you are not already in a church or fellowship that preaches/teaches truth, ask GOD to lead you to where HE wants you to go where you can grow Spiritually and serve HIM.

Faith in JESUS is the final eternal covenant! Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the beginning GOD ----

HIS Word as GOD led the Israelites to Mount Sinai. It was at Mount Sinai that GOD revealed Himself to the Israelites. GOD desired to speak to the people directly GOD came to earth and revealed Himself to Moses by speaking to him through a burning bush that was not consumed. GOD proved Himself to Moses by demonstrating HIS power and keeping but they were afraid and wanted GOD to speak to them through MOSES.

Only GOD can give eternal life to a person THROUGH THE MIRACLE OF SPIRITUAL BIRTH, which JESUS revealed in 1 Corinthians 3. Sin is a barrier that separates GOD and humankind. We as humans’ sense that there is more to this earthly life and explore the eternal realm which is replete truth and lures. GOD’S Word is truth.

We use lures to catch fish or some wildlife. Satan uses lures to confuse and defeat those who search. Ask GOD to reveal truth to you as you seek truth by reading and studying GOD’S Word, The Bible.

 

Until the coming of the promised Messiah, GOD established covenants with the Israelites to build their relationship with HIM through tangible forms of worship which were faith builders. This would lead people seeking the One True GOD to find eternal salvation through faith in the passion of JESUS.

Those under the Law were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah and those of us after the passion of CHRIST are looking backward to the cross and forward to JESUS’ second coming.