A Far Greater Covenant
Hebrews 8
October 13, 2024
Jay Haugh

It seems like everything becomes obsolete – at least everything man-made or earthly.

Jesus is a better priest who brings us into a better covenant!

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. —Hebrews 7:22 ESV
Now the point in what we are saying is this: —Hebrews 8:1 ESV

The old covenant was never meant to be permanent.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, —Hebrews 8:1 ESV

Jesus is the fulfillment of what the Old Testament priests were pointing toward.

a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. —Hebrews 8:2 ESV

For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. —Hebrews 8:3 ESV

Jesus is a final sacrifice, a willing sacrifice, and a divine sacrifice.

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. —Hebrews 8:4 ESV

Every priest and all animal sacrifices were pointing to this final, willing, and divine sacrifice.

They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” —Hebrews 8:5 ESV

The earthly tabernacle was a true representation, BUT only a representation of the heavenly sanctuary.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. —Hebrews 8:6 ESV

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. —Hebrews 8:7 ESV

For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,” —Hebrews 8:8 ESV

The author didn’t say the Old Testament Law was faultless and inferior. God is the one who told us it’s faultless and inferior.

“not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.” —Hebrews 8:9 ESV

(1) The new covenant secures obedience.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” —Hebrews 8:10 ESV

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you…And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules.” —Ezekiel 36:26-27 ESV

God does for you what you can’t do for yourself!

(2) The new covenant offers internal transformation by which God’s law is written on our hearts.

“And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” —Hebrews 8:11 ESV

(3) The new covenant provides confidence and assurance instead of insecurity and uncertainty.

“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” —Hebrews 8:12 ESV

In the old covenant you remember your sin, in the new covenant you remember your forgiveness in Christ.

(4) The new covenant emphasizes forgiveness and mercy instead of failure and wrongdoing.

In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. —Hebrews 8:13 ESV

Big Idea:

The old covenant was meant to point and pass away for a new covenant to transform and save.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Memory Verse: Hebrews 1:1-2a NIV
Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us.

The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word to lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.

Read Hebrews 8.
The tabernacle and the temple of the Old Covenant had beautiful furnishings, but there was no place for the priests to sit down because their work was never finished. What is the significance of Jesus serving in a seated position at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in heaven? What did Jesus “offer” as our High Priest and what is the significance of this offering for you and your sin?

The Jewish temple and tabernacle were copies of the true heavenly tabernacle and served a good purpose. We often view our world as “real” and the spiritual realm as a “shadow.” What does God’s Word have to say about this? In what ways could our thinking be transformed by understanding that all order and value come from God’s design?

One promise God makes as part of the New Covenant is that His laws will be inside of us. As modern day believers, it’s nearly impossible to imagine our walk without this. What does it mean to you to have God’s laws written in your mind and heart? How does this affect the way you know the truth?

As the author describes the New Covenant it is apparent that it is more relational. As you think about your vertical relationship, are you being still to listen to God? What is He revealing to you? How are you being changed by Him? How do you embody the things that are important to God?

The author quotes Jeremiah 31:34 and shares that all will know the Lord. How would you describe your personal relationship with God? What can you do to deepen this relationship? Consider the areas in your life where you struggle to follow God’s guidance. How can you invite Jesus into these struggles to help you?

How can we effectively communicate the hope and promises of the New Covenant to unbelievers? What are some practical ways to share this message with others? Who are you (or who would you like to be) praying for and connecting with to sow gospel seeds?

It’s possible some Jewish believers were encouraging people to go back to following the laws of the Old Covenant. Yet we cannot go back to something old once the new has arrived. Have you ever been tempted to go back to the way your life was before you were a believer? If so, what are the temptations you felt drawing you back? If not, what keeps you motivated to keep following Jesus?

The namesake of our church rests in the concept of the New Covenant. How can we continue to be a community that reflects the heart of the New Covenant? What does this look like to you? What role can you play in bringing this to life?