Covenants #11: Food For Thought—The New Covenant

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He declared, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28).

One of the things that we as a church do phenomenally well is eat! We always seem to have good food at our gatherings. As the old saying goes, whenever two or three Christians are gathered together, there will be food! And that is very true! On Easter Sunday, April 1st, we will have our traditional sunrise service followed by a first-class breakfast. So if you want some good food, I encourage you to join us. :) Similarly, we offer food every Sunday. Yes, we could talk about the doughnuts that are available before the service, but I was actually thinking of something significantly more important: the Lord’s Supper.

On a weekly basis, we as a church observe the Lord’s Supper, or communion as was the custom of the early church (Acts 2:42; 20:7, 11). This meal commemorates what Jesus did for us some 2,000 years ago when He shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. It was also the inauguration of the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20) and the end of the Old Covenant—the Mosaic Covenant.

Interestingly, this food idea isn’t a new one. It was actually a part of the Mosaic covenant. As you may recall, there were numerous sacrifices required. Is it grilling season yet? :)

Ok, back on track: Why was the New Covenant necessary?  Did the Mosaic become outdated?  Did God have His fill of grilled meat and want something different?

No. The Old Covenant was less than perfect (Heb. 7:11), and it merely foreshadowed the New Covenant (Col. 2:17). God knew from the beginning (see Gen. 3:15) that Jesus’ coming and the institution of the New Covenant was the only means for our eternal salvation. That old covenant in fact had three fundamental flaws. First, the blood of bulls and goats used to atone for sins could never really take away sins (Heb. 10:4). Thus, those sacrifices merely foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice: Jesus the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Heb. 7:18-19).

The second flaw becomes obvious to anyone who tries to observe the Old Testament laws. They are impossible to consistently keep! No matter how hard a person tries, they will never be able to keep God’s commands perfectly without divine intervention (Rom. 7:14-8:4). Again, this was a foreshadow of what was to come, or shall I say Who – the Holy Spirit Who helps us be holy.

Third, the Old Covenant was temporary and is now obsolete. “When He said, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear” (Heb. 8:13; see also Heb. 7:12; 8:13-9:4). The Old Covenant was merely shadow of the things to come (Heb. 8:5-12; Jer. 31:31-34). This is not the first time in the Bible that a covenant and its laws were made obsolete. You may recall the Adamic Covenant (Patriarchal Age) experienced the same thing (Heb. 7:12; see also http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-understand-bible-101-lesson-4a.html).

Thus, the New Covenant was ushered in through Christ’s death on the cross. Under this New Covenant, “we are no longer under the Law but under grace (Rom. 6:14–15).” The Old Covenant has served its purpose, and it has been replaced by “a better covenant” (Heb. 7:22). “In fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises” (Heb. 8:6).

Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Eph. 2:8–9). Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death (portions of this section are from https://www.gotquestions.org/new-covenant.html).

What does all of this mean for us today? It means that the covenant that we are under today is built on better promises (Heb. 8:6). It means that we have the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to help us overcome sins, assure us of our salvation, and the empowerment to complete our God given purpose in life (Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:7).

When we take communion – the cup and the bread, we are remembering and recommitting ourselves to the covenant we accepted the day we were baptized into a new life in Christ (Rom. 6:3). Yet, God is not finished yet with this food idea. Have you heard of the Wedding Feast? :)

In His service,

       Matt

Covenants #10: The Covenantal Reign of Christ

 “Then the end will come, when He (Jesus) hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:24-25). 

This month, some of us look forward to watching the big game. The Super Bowl tends to be the most watched sporting event of the entire year. This year will be a rematch of Super Bowl 39 with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the New England Patriots. Regardless of whether you are a football fan or not, it is sure to be entertaining from the halftime show to commercials that cost at least $5 million, according to Sports Illustrated. So by the end of Sunday February 4th, we will have a new reigning national champion.   

As significant the reign of the new Super Bowl championship will be, it pales in comparison to the reign of Christ. Jesus’s reign is greater than any king has ever been or will ever be.  In order to fully understand His reign, we need to understand King David’s reign as Jesus is said to reign from David’s throne (Luke 1:32).

The covenant that God made with David was unconditional; there would be one of David’s descendants on his throne that would come and rule from it for eternity (2 Sam. 7:12-16). One important question that needs to be addressed concerning the covenantal reign of Christ relates to timing. Is Jesus currently reigning? Or will His reign take place sometime in the future?

The answer to this question can be challenging to fully comprehend. When we hear of someone reigning, most times it is in a physical manner such as King Henry VII. Jesus’s disciples struggled with this for quite some time as can be seen even after Jesus’s resurrection (Acts 1:6). They expected Jesus to overthrow the Romans, setup a physical kingdom and rule from Jerusalem which some still expect to happen today.  However, we have to allow Scripture to shape our thoughts about Jesus’s reign (and everything else that is talked about in Scripture, otherwise we will miss the original intent of God’s Word).

Scripture plainly states that Jesus “must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:25); thus, implying that He is already reigning. In Psalm 110:1-3, David gets to listen in on a conversation taking place between God the Father and God the Son, stating that Jesus is to sit on the throne next to God the Father until His enemies are completely subdued. Jesus referenced Psalm 110 when He was talking with the religious leaders of His day, pointing to the deity of a certain descendant of David, namely Himself (Matt. 22:41-46).  Peter likewise referenced this passage when he preached on the Day of Pentecost, the day that the church grew to 3,000 in number (Acts 2:29-36).

There are several other passages which teach Jesus is currently reigning as well. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt. 28:18). Notice He didn’t say that He was given partial authority, or that He would be granted all authority in the future. Rather, since the time of Jesus making that declaration in Matthew 28, He has been granted all authority as King Jesus. God the Father speaks of Jesus’ throne lasting forever and ever (Heb. 1:8). Furthermore, generations after David’s death, his earthly throne would be no more, thus, his throne that Jesus rules from is in heaven (Jer. 22:24-30; Zech. 6:12-13; Matt. 1:12; Eph. 1:20-21; Heb. 8:4; Rev. 3:21). Thus, Jesus is the current reigning King of Kings and Lord of lords, and His reign will know no end (Heb. 1:8). But how is Jesus currently reigning?

There are several areas that Jesus is currently reigning. First, Jesus is reigning over Satan. Speaking of Jesus’s first coming, Scripture states, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work” (1 John 3:8). Likewise, Hebrews 2:14 clearly states that Jesus came the first time “so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.” This does not mean that Satan has been completely taken out of the picture for he is still very active in our world today. However, it does mean that he is ultimately powerless, for his power is limited and his fate is sealed. Thus, Jesus is sovereign over Satan.

Second, Jesus reigns over death.  According to 2 Timothy 1:10, Jesus has already “destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to life through the Gospel.” Death is a result of sin, yet Jesus reigns over it as well. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 NLT says, “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, as faithful followers of Christ, we do not need to fear death for Jesus has overcome the grave.

 Right in line with reigning over death is Jesus’s reign over sin (2 Tim. 1:9-10). Thus, we do not need to be continually plagued by certain sins for with His mighty power, He gives us the way to overcome it (1 Cor. 10:13).

Third, Jesus reigns over all of nations of the world. He is the One who sets up kings and removes others (Dan. 2:21). At the same time, Scripture tells us that we are to honor and obey those who work for the government, because, unbeknown to many, they are ministers of God in place for our own good (Rom. 13:1-7). However, anytime that those in authority impose laws that will hinder following God, we are commanded to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Therefore, regardless of who is in the White House, Jesus is on the throne.

Fourth, Jesus reigns over creation. He not only created all things, but also sustains all things (Col. 1:16-17). “There is an interesting law of science known as Coulomb’s Law of Electricity. It says that like charges repel, as two magnets repeal each other. Meanwhile, opposite charges attract each other. But here’s a great mystery: In the nucleus of the atom, protons are packed together that are all positively-charged particles. What keeps them from repelling like the magnets? What holds them together? While there are many theories, secular scientists don’t know for sure. However, the Bible tells us how. It is Christ who holds all things together (Heb. 1:3).

Lastly, similar to Jesus’s reign over creation, He reigns in the lives of all people. This is especially seen in the lives of believers across the planet as they faithfully follow Him. And as a result He reigns over the storms in our lives, working them out for our good in His timing (Rom. 8:28). Furthermore, Jesus reigns in the lives of non-believers. It is He who forms all people in their mother’s womb. It is He who ultimately decides the day that they are born and the day that they die (Ps. 139:16).

Therefore, “Even now, Jesus is seated on the throne of His father David at the right hand of God. This means that He is ruler over all and that the kings of the earth rule only according to His sovereign permission. As such, Christ alone is worthy of our highest allegiance, and it is to Him that we must render obedience, even if it means, at times, defying the rulers of this world. Jesus’ kingdom alone is eternal, and His rule is above all others” (R.C. Sproul, Seated at God’s Right Hand).

In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #9: The Blessings of A Beginning

The Lord says to His people, “Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” (Ex. 19:5-6).

Throughout the Bible we learn that God wants to bless individuals who faithfully follow Him. In fact 2 Corinthians 1:20 teaches that all the promises of God are yes and Amen in Christ. Whatever He promises us, He will do.  However, the blessings of God are often associated with obedience.

Last month we began considering the covenant that God made with Moses and the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. At the heart of this covenant is the Ten Commandments. Each commandment is given out of love seeking to protect us from the dangerous consequences that can result from disobedience. Yet at the same time, there are great blessings through obeying God’s covenant of love.

Pastor John Piper points out five blessings, Divine promises within the Mosaic Covenant.  First, Israel will be God’s prized possession. God mentions that all the earth is His to show that when he calls Israel His "own possession" (Ex. 19:5), He means more than the general care and authority He has over the world. He will be Israel's God and they will be His possession in a special way. According to 1 Peter 2:9 this blessing applies to all spiritual descendants of Abraham, implying us as Christians today (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2017/10/covenants-6-battle-for-israelisaac-vs.html)

Second, Israel will be a kingdom of royal priests (Ex. 19:6). The most striking privilege of the priests was intimate access to God. According to 1 Peter 2:9, every Christian is a priest, and we have been granted the amazing privilege of being able to draw near to God on account of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-22). God blessed OT believers with a physical Promised Land (Josh. 21:43), and He promises all believers a place prepared for them in heaven (John 14:3).  Even so, our greatest inheritance is the Lord Himself (Ps. 16:5). This privilege is heightened when God calls us a royal priesthood or priests in the service of the King. There is no greater privilege than to have intimate access to the King of the universe.

Third, Israel will be a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). Israel would be holy in two senses: one, they would be set apart and distinguished from all the other peoples; two, she would be granted a moral likeness to God. She would share God's character. "Be holy, for I am holy" (Lev. 19:2). This is true of spiritual Israel as well (Heb. 8:10; 1 Peter 1:16). Thus if we, as the spiritual Israel, keep His covenant we will have the all-satisfying privilege of likeness to God as a holy nation

The fourth blessing of obedience, God will defend Israel from all her enemies. In Exodus 23:22, “If you listen carefully to what He says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.” The Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect us (2 Thess. 3:2-3).

And fifth, God will be merciful, gracious and forgiving (Ex. 34:6–7). To understand that God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness originate at Mt. Sinai when God gave the Ten Commandments are some of the sweetest words in the Bible. For God understood that we would fail to keep His commands, yet even still there is grace. In this we also see a harmonious message of grace throughout the Bible. When the Lord passed in front of Moses, revealing His glory, Moses proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, maintain love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin…” (Ex. 34:6-7) So the fifth great promise of the Mosaic covenant is that God will treat His people with mercy and grace and will forgive our sins—as we keep His covenants.

Upon the cross of Calvary, the Mosaic Covenant ended (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 7:12; 8:13-9:4). However, the Mosaic covenantal blessings still remain as can be seen in the references listed! We as faithful followers of Christ are God's special possession, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a divinely protected people, and a people blessed beyond measure as a result of God’s amazing grace! Therefore, may we seek to obey what our loving God commands for He knows best.

In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #8: A Covenant of Love

The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: "'I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through the desert, through a land not sown” (Jer. 2:2).

For many of us, the holidays tend to be a season that we spend a significant amount of time with our closest friends and family members. Sometimes this can be challenging because of the pain of missing those who have passed away or strained relationships. And strained relationships tend to happen for a variety of reasons, yet some of the most common are betrayal, jealousy, and tough love that has not come to maturity resulting in the positive effects that we are longing for.

As parents we give our kids rules not to ruin their fun but to protect them, motivated by love. This is similar to that of a marriage relationship. In marriage, we make vows in order to protect our relationship, again motivated by love. Our relationship with the Lord is likewise very similar to this. God’s Word contains numerous commandments to do just that, as if to say, “Avoid these things and life will go much better for you. This is clearly the case with the Ten Commandments.

Before God ever gave His people the Ten Commandments, we can see His motivation for giving them. In Exodus 20:2, God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Thus, God was reminding them up front, “I am the One who delivered you out of your slavery. My actions show that I have your best interest at heart.”  Then God gives them the terms of His covenant of love to them. This is the basis of what is known as the Mosaic Covenant. It is called this since God gave it directly to Moses, then Moses passed it on to His people.

Over the past several months, we have considered some of the covenants that God made with His people. The Mosaic covenant differs from the covenants that God made with Noah, Abraham, and David in the sense that it is conditional: based upon obedience, has its own priesthood and law associated with it. Thus, upon careful examination of the Bible it is similar to the covenant that God made with Adam, and the New Covenant that God made with all believers since the time of the cross. Thus, in the Bible we find three covenants that standout, and are sometimes referred to as the Three Great Ages (for more information on the Three Great Ages see http://eugenechristian church.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Understand%20the%20Bible).

Therefore, let us consider God’s covenant of love that He wrote on tablets of stone, namely the Ten Commandments. The first commandment states that we are not to have any other god but the Lord. Love is loyal. God wants to protect us from having a misdirected life's purpose, frustration, emotional and physical pain, and ultimately death to those who worship any but Him. Thus, the first commandment is about God protecting us from false gods

The Life Application Bible Commentary said, “Today we can allow many things to become gods to us. Money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But by the amount of time we devote to them, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.”

The second commandment is very similar, seeking to protect us from false worship by making idols, like the things mentioned above. In this we see that love is faithful.

Third, love is reverent; “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” God’s name is special because it carries His personal identity. And God’s name is very unique in the sense that He is given numerous names all seeking to reveal different aspects of who He is.

Fourth, love is intimate; “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” In this we see God seeking to protect our relationship with Him, rejuvenating us through helping us to have a period of rest, and a remembrance of His creation. At the same time, since we currently live in the Christian/Church Age, we are not bound to the Sabbath as were those living in the Mosaic Age. We come to this conclusion based on passages like Heb. 7:12; 8:13-9:4; Col. 2:16-17 (see also http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-understand-bible-101-lesson-4a.html).

Fifth, “Honor your father and mother.” Here we see that love is respectful. One writer said, “Where parents are not honored, a flaw lies at the base, and the stability of the entire social fabric is endangered; as well, those who will not honor their parents will not honor God.”

Sixth, love is harmless; “You shall not murder.” Love seeks to protect life. It is important to understand that this commandment is explicitly meaning in the Hebrew text to: slay by premeditation, to assassinate, or to commit manslaughter. It does NOT refer to taking someone’s life as an act of LEGAL justification meaning an execution after due process, or moral justification; that is killing in defense.

Seventh, love is pure; "You shall not commit adultery." Marriage is a sacred union in the eyes of the Lord, that is why He seeks to protect it. Love is pure just as God desires us, the Church, who is the bride of Christ to be pure. Jesus said, “Blessed is the pure in heart” (Matt. 5:8). May we keep a strong commitment to the purity of our household.

Eighth, love is unselfish; “You shall not steal.” God sees the value of property and He desires it to be protected. Ultimately, all of it is His, and we are to be good stewards of all that He has given us by taking care of it. This means that we are not to be selfish about these things, but rather, we should give to others.  In addition to this, we must recognize the fact that this commandment is not limiting stealing to just our fellow man, but it also applies to stealing from God (see Mal. 3:8-10).

Ninth, love is truthful; “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” In this God seeks to protect the truth. So this commandment can be violated by both lying and by not saying anything at all. Thus, may our conversations be seasoned with both grace and truth.

And tenth, love is content; “You shall not covet. This is really about protecting our hearts. Jesus states it this way, “Guard [yourself] against every kind of greed" (Luke 12:15). Hebrews 13:5 says it like this, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you.”

Thus, the foundation of the Mosaic Covenant, the Ten Commandments are a covenant of a loving God seeking to protect His children. So may we view them as that, and seek to honor Him who knows best.

In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #7: The Thankful Blessings of Israel

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

It is at this time of year that we tend to think of all the things that we have to be thankful for. Yet sometimes giving thanks can be harder than we would like to admit. It can be so easy to get bogged down among life’s challenges and daily routines to really consider all that we have to be thankful for. And regardless of how challenging or devastating our year has been, there are still things to be thankful for.

Throughout history, God’s chosen people have encountered challenge after challenge: from slavery in Egypt, to the wilderness wanderings, to enemies in the Promised Land, God’s people have dealt with it all. Yet one thing remains true, there are great blessings which Israel can be thankful for! Now, when I say that many of us naturally think of the nation of Israel. However, as we saw last month, God’s chosen people is “Israel” regardless of whether this is referring to faithful followers of the Lord living during Old Testament times or faithful followers since the time of the New Testament (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2017/10/covenants-6-battle-for-israelisaac-vs.html).

There has always been only one bride for the Lord (Isa. 61:10; Eph. 5:24, 32). By itself this principle can be very challenging for many to understand. Yet God chooses to explain His relationship with His faithful followers in the terms of a marriage, since, marriage is the closest and most intimate relationship on the planet, fulfilling many of our relational, emotional, and physical needs. Thus, God is showing us how He can fulfill our every longing, giving us a lot to be thankful for.

As the bride of Christ, we have several blessings to be thankful for. There are four such blessings that I’d like us to consider this month. First, there is the blessing of prominence. When God originally revealed His blessings to the father of all of Israel, Abraham (Gal. 3:7), God told Abraham that He would make him (and his descendants) into a great nation (Gen. 12:2). As a Christian, our nationality is not defined by country of earthly residence, but rather by being heirs of a global kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

In a broad sense, the Kingdom of God refers to God’s sovereign and eternal rule over the entire universe (Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:3; Rom. 13:1). But it is more narrowly defined by those who have been born again (John 3:5-7). And every believer can enjoy the prominence of being greatly prized and dearly loved by God, having a place of honored belonging (Matt. 5:19; 20:26).

Second, there is the blessing of provision. God promises that His people will be taken care of (Deut. 28:4; Luke 12:30-32). “My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Yes, we may go through some trying times, but He promises to provide for His people (Ps. 23:1). And ultimately, we have the promise of a bountiful harvest (Deut. 28:8, 11-12). 

Third, there is the blessing of protection. (Gen. 12:3; Deut. 28:7). God's protection is unlimited, eternal, and certain. Yes, there can be times that we experience great dangers, including death, but they cannot take our souls (Matt. 10:28).

And fourth, there is the blessing of property. (Gen. 12:1). Yes, God promises “Israel” His spiritual descendants through Abraham land, and this is not referring to a chunk of ground in the Middle East. Martin Wyngaarden points out the overwhelming spiritualization of the Holy Land or inheritance concept (Num. 18:20; Deut. 18:2; Psalm 73:26; 16:5; 142:5; 119:57; Jer. 10:16; 51:19; Ezek. 40:17, 20; Matt. 5:5; John 14:3; Rom. 4:13; Col. 3:14; Gal 3:29; Heb. 9:15; 11:10; 1 Peter 1:3–5; Rev. 21:8, 22; 22:15). Hence we see that in the primary inheritance, the real portion of Israel was not Canaan, but Jehovah Himself, and only in a secondary way whatever Jehovah might give to His people. Thus, the Messiah’s prophesied rule over the land of Israel’s inheritance becomes His rule over the new heavens and new earth (The Future of the Kingdom in Prophecy and Fulfillment, pgs. 91-93).

Therefore, in spite of trying times that we might encounter, as faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual Israel, we have a lot to be thankful for all year long, for the blessings of Israel are ours!

In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #6: The Battle for Israel—Isaac vs. Ishmael

Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matt. 10:34-36).

It is hard for many of us to even attempt to comprehend tragedies like what happened recently in Las Vegas! It is heartbreaking to consider the 59 dead and more than 500 injured as a gunman opened fire on a concert! My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and those who lost loved ones. At times it can be very challenging to make sense of things that seem so senseless (and I will not even attempt to in this article)!

Unfortunately, tragedies like this are a very sad reality if one is up to date on world news. It seems like it is commonplace to hear about people going on killing sprees, suicide bombings, and constant fighting someplace in our world today. And there is no other place in the history of the world for experiencing such atrocities than in the Middle East.

The land of Israel has seen war after war for thousands of years. Some of the wars were a result of God’s hand of judgment upon His people when they rebelled against Him. The Old Testament spends a significant amount of time detailing the war with the Assyrians and the Babylonians. And both Old and New Testament alike depict the war that would take place between A.D. 66-70 with the Romans.

Since then, the greatest amount of fighting has come as a result of a battle for Israel. There are really 3 sides in this battle: first there are those who believe that the land belongs to Abraham’s descendants through his son Isaac. Second, there are those who believe that it belongs to Abraham’s descendants through his son Ishmael. And third, there are those who believe that the descendants of Abraham are spiritual; thus, implying that those who have faith in Christ, which includes Old Testament Jews who had faith in the Lord, and Christians since the time of Jesus’s death on the cross, are the true Israel. And that the land was given really to point to something bigger than just a chunk of ground in the Middle East. Regardless of what side you find yourself on, one thing is for certain: Christian persecution is on the rise and all the while the enemies of Israel are closing ranks around her borders. 

Therefore, what should our response be? It really comes down to the matter of what the Bible has to say. Muslims believe that Ishmael is the child of promise not Isaac. The basis of this comes from their belief that the Old Testament has been altered by the Jews to make it seem as if Isaac is the child of promise. However, as one writer pointed out, in order to substantiate this claim of textual corruption, two things need to be done. First, an earlier manuscript that shows the non-corrupted text needs to be shown. And second, an explanation of how the alterations were achieve without anyone noticing needs to likewise be given. But, neither one of these issues has ever been solved. Thus, the view of Muslims is quickly falsified. Even still, fighting will continue from these individuals who are following a lie.

While all Christians view Isaac as the promised descendant of Abraham (in comparison with Ishmael), they differ on the identity of “Israel” today. Does “Israel” refer exclusively to the Jewish people or does it refer to all Christians? Perhaps the most common view sees a separation between God’s chosen people, the Jews, and all Christians in general. This view has been popularized by books and movies like The Late Great Planet Earth and the Left Behind series. A huge percentage of Churches, preachers, and televangelists proclaim this message as well. Thus, many Bible believing Christians are convinced that the Jewish people and the present nation of Israel will be the primary participants in the events surrounding the second coming of Christ.

On a side note, the point of this article is not to create dividing lines among Christians, rather it is to help everyone to understand the significance of God’s covenant with “Israel” and its implications for all people today.  Yet is there really a separate covenant for the Jews vs. Christians? Let’s consider what Scripture has to say.  Galatians 3:28-29 says, “In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises” (MSG).

Romans 2:28-29 says, “For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” (NLT).

The point that Scripture is making is that “Israel” consists of both Jews living during the time of the Old Testament and all Christians regardless of ethnicity since the time of Jesus’s death on the cross! This can be seen in several other passages as well, and was even prophesied about in the Old Testament (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 37:14-28; 47:22-25; John 1:13; 10:16; Rom. 2:28-29; 4:11-12, 16-18; 9:6-18, 24-25; 11:11-24; Gal. 3:8-24; Eph. 2:11-3:6; Phil. 3:3; Heb. 8:8-10; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1;  2:4-10; 5:13).  So what does this mean for us today? It means that the promises that are related to “Israel” are for us as Christians today. Next month we will further unpack these promises of God’s covenant with “Israel.” Yet for now, what is the appropriate response to the violence that is taking place in the Middle East?

The appropriate response to the violence and persecution of Christians and other people groups in the Middle East should be the same as our response to the tragedy that happened in Las Vegas.  God’s Word calls us to stand strong in the true faith even in the face of suffering and persecution (Rev. 2:10-11). At the same time, God has ordained governments to deal with the issues by means of force (Rom. 13:1-7). Thus, we should support our police and armed forces. Praying for those who are committing these atrocities, and ultimately leading them to Christ for this is how real lasting change takes place—through sharing the Good News to the captors (Matt. 5:9, 44). For it is only through God’s work in our world that lasting peace will eventually be accomplished. And one day, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will return to usher in His eternal peace to “Israel,” all who have chosen to follow Christ by faith (Isa. 9:6; Rom. 4:16). 

 In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #5: What is so Important about Israel?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you’” (Psalm 122:6).

Fewer places in the world have experienced as many wars & nearly constant conflict as the land of Israel. In December of 2016, President Obama refused to use the USA’s veto power concerning a UN Security Council vote allowing Palestinians to build in Jerusalem. President Obama’s actions were said to undermine our relationship with one of our closest allies. Senator John McCain called this an “outrageous attack” on Israel. Speaker of the House of Representatives called this “absolutely shameful.” Many Democrats expressed similar concerns. But why make such a big deal over a chunk of ground that is just barely bigger than the state of New Jersey? The reason is completely religious at its root.

Is the land of Israel sacred? Who does it belong to? Why is it important to us? Why are there such contentions and how should we respond to them?

According to many adherents of Christianity, Islam and Judaism (which make up over half of the world’s population), yes it is sacred. Jews dating back to Abraham have considered the land of Israel, the Promised Land, to be home. Muslims consider the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to be the third holiest site in Islam. Christians likewise consider Israel important, with its origins in Judaism, Jesus’ entire earthly ministry was focused in Israel, and the early church was founded in Jerusalem.

In order to answer these questions we have to consider the life of Abraham. In roughly 2,000 B.C. God calls Abraham to leave his homeland of Ur of the Chaldeans (Acts 7:2-3, modern day Iraq), and travel to a land that God will show him. God’s calling of Abraham included a covenant that involved the blessing of land, a great nation including descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, a great name/reputation, and a blessing that would come to the entire world on account of him. The blessings of this covenant were solely based on Abraham’s faith in the Lord (James 2:22-23). Abraham responded in faith and went to the Promised Land.

The nature of the blessings God promised to Abraham reveal much of the controversy concerning the Middle East, and specifically, the Land of Israel. God promised Abraham a very special land (Gen. 12:1), and He reiterated His promise on several occasions (Gen. 13:14-18; 15:18-21; Deut. 30:1-10; Josh. 24:3; Ezek. 33:24; Heb. 11:9-16; etc.). On account of this, many believe that the land of Israel belongs to Abraham’s descendants.

However, this is where the real question lies, who are the true descendants of Abraham? Muslims believe that they are the true descendants through Abraham’s first son Ishmael, while both Jews and Christians see their family tree through Isaac. Thus the contentions over a plot of land.

For some Christians, they believe that God still has a very special plan specifically for the Jews & the land of Israel, while others believe that the Church, aka Christians have replaced the Jews as the spiritual Israel. Yet what does the Bible have to say concerning this matter? That is a topic for another time, but hopefully this has helped to explain why the Middle East has been and will continue to be a hotspot for decades to come, and enjoy the blessings of father Abraham.

 In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #4: The Blessings of the Rainbow

 God said to Noah, “I am giving you a sign of My covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed My rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of My covenant with you and with all the earth (Gen. 9:12-13 NLT)

Ever since I was a kid, I have always admired the beauty of rainbows. They do not happen that often in our area, but when they do, they are one of the most beautiful things to observe in all of creation. Of course, who can forget to look for the pot of gold at the end? Yet if you find it, it belongs to me since I been searching for it for years, but that’s a different story. ;)

Regardless, the symbolism of the rainbow has drastically changed from what it originally meant! Even still, the point of this article is not to consider the topic of LGBTQ, but rather to consider the original meaning of the rainbow, and how it is a symbol of something for us today, and not that of the LGBTQ community.

As stated in the Bible and quoted above, the rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant and promise to Noah and all of creation since his time. God’s covenant with Noah is often called “The Noahic Covenant,” and it is found in Genesis 8:20-9:17. Noah formally agreed to this covenant by making a sacrifice to the Lord (Gen. 8:20-21). But why was this covenant necessary? 

Mankind had become exceedingly wicked, and the trend and direction of their lives were focused on their own sinful desires (Gen. 6:5). It is interesting to note that in context, this came as a result of believers marrying unbelievers (Gen. 6:2; see also Matt. 22:30; Rom. 8:14, 19). God had been patient and merciful with the people for hundreds of years. However, eventually the love and justice of God had to respond. Otherwise, God would not truly be loving and just. So God destroyed the entire world with a flood. But, God saved 8 people, Noah, the only righteous person on the planet at that time (Gen. 7:1), and Noah’s family.

While the global flood of Noah’s day took place over 4,000 years ago, there are 3 parts to God’s covenant with Noah that are important for us to understand today. First, we need to understand that the Noahic Covenant is universal and unconditional.  God made this covenant with every living creature and for all succeeding generations from the time of Noah until the end of time (Gen. 9:12). This covenant does not depend upon anything Noah or his descendants had to do. Therefore, regardless of how wicked and immoral our world is becoming (and one does not have to look very far to realize that society is far from where we should be) yet God promises that He will never again destroy the earth with a global flood.

Second, we need to understand that the creation mandate has been restated and expounded. The creation mandate was originally given to Adam and Eve as a part of the Adamic Covenant, stating that mankind is made in the image of God and is to be fruitful, fill the earth and have dominion over it (Gen. 1:27-28). These same principles were restated to Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives, likewise they apply to all people since then (Gen. 9:1-7).

Additionally, from this point forward mankind is allowed to eat meat, with the exception of blood, and animals will now fear mankind as a result. Some teach that Christians should be vegetarians since mankind was originally. However, that no longer applies. Yes, we can find other dietary restrictions which did apply both during the Patriarchal and Mosaic Ages. But today in the Church Age, the only dietary restriction is the prohibition of eating blood (Acts 15:29; Rom. 14:20). God explained that the creature’s life is in its blood and was to be used for atonement (Lev. 17:10-16). (Remember, it is by Christ’s blood that we are saved.) Additionally, some cultures then and even now use it in their idolatrous practices. 

Lastly, capital punishment was now a Biblical means of handling those who commit murder. This is restated in the New Testament (Rom. 13:4). It is important to note that the enforcement of capital punishment has always been through God ordained authorities, namely, governments (Rom. 13:1). Likewise, the Bible is not against self-defense, especially as it relates to means by which the government has deemed legal (Luke 22:36).

The third thing that we need to understand about the Noahic Covenant is God’s promise still applies. The promise is based upon God’s faithfulness alone. God has always been faithful to do just as He promised. This can be seen in how He dealt with Adam and Eve, promising to send One who would destroy the Devil, namely Jesus (Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:14). God was faithful to Noah and his family, keeping them safe in the Ark. God was faithful to Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets, and even the people of Israel in spite of their unfaithfulness. God was faithful with His people in the early church. And He is still faithful to us, regardless of how faithless we are. God is always faithful to His promises. Yes, some of His promises are conditional, yet the promise to never again destroy the entire world with a flood is not one of them.

Therefore, when you see the rainbow in the sky, I want to encourage you to remember its true meaning: (1) God’s faithfulness to all creation. And (2) His amazing grace: God was patient with the people, giving them a 120 year opportunity while Noah built the ark to turn to Him. God likewise extended grace to Noah and his family to be saved even though He could have easily have wiped them out as well. Similarly, God has been gracious with every single one of us. He has provided a means that we can be saved from the wrath that is to come—through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:10). For one day, God promises that He will destroy the earth with fire (2 Peter 3:10, 11).

R.C. Sproul said, “The Noahic covenant is God’s pledge that He will preserve the stability of nature, a stability that will allow His people to flourish and that will provide an arena for Him to enter history and bring salvation (John 1:14). Moreover, our Creator’s love for all that He has made is seen in the pledge that He will never again destroy the world (with a flood), which is also an early sign that one day all creation will be renewed” (www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/noahic-covenant-1670/). I pray that you are encouraged by the true meaning of the rainbow.

In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #3: Take Me Down to the Paradise City

Yes, I used to be a big fan of the hard rock band “Guns & Roses.” I know, I’m probably going to hell because of that (just kidding)! :) While your idea and my idea of a paradise city might be two totally different things, yet who doesn’t like the idea of going to a paradise city, and even living there?

The Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived was a place of paradise. The New Testament describes Heaven as being very similar to that paradise (Rev. 2:7; 22:1-2, 14, 17). However, when Adam and Eve broke the covenant that God had with them, they were evicted from paradise (Gen. 3:24). And as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, thorns and thistles, childbirth pains, toil, cancer, disease, etc., and even death entered the world. Thus, just as other people’s actions affect us today, so too did Adam and Eve’s actions make a difference on other people. But since they were the first individuals, their actions had even larger implications on the world. On account of them, we all await the same fate, physical death (Rom. 5:12). 

It does not take long to understand just how impactful the terms and conditions of the Adamic Covenant are upon the entire human race. Some will unnecessarily attempt to divide the covenant that God made with Adam and Eve prior to their committal of sin with the words that God speaks to them after they sinned. In reality, the words that God spoke to Adam and Eve after they sinned merely further explained to them their punishment for the violation of the covenant. However, the heart of the covenant remained. Adam and Eve, and all mankind for that matter, are given the privilege/obligation of being fruitful, multiplying, and filling the earth ultimately with people who will worship the One True God, and having dominion over all of creation (Gen. 1:26-28). 

The spirit of the law that Adam and Eve violated in the Garden is the same as that of the sins that people struggle with today. Adam and Eve’s sin involved 3 parts (Gen. 3:6; 1 John 2:16). First, the lust of the flesh as they saw that the forbidden fruit was good for food. This is the foundation of all sexual sins, gluttony, drug addictions, and narcissism. Second, the lust of the eyes as the forbidden fruit was a delight to one’s sight. The lust of the eyes is the foundation of all greed, selfishness, envy, and slothfulness. And third, the boastful pride of life as the forbidden fruit was able to make one wise. This is the foundation of all ungodly cravings for attention, position, authority, identity, and appreciation.

Therefore, by having an understanding of the Adamic Covenant helps us understand the origin of our own struggles with sin. But even greater still is understanding the promise that we get to enjoy in spite of our failure to keep the covenant. While it is true that all people die physically (Rom. 5:12), the eternal consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions, and our own for that matter, have been nullified on account of what Jesus did for all mankind on the cross (Rom. 5:17-18).  This is the promise that Adam and Eve received in the Garden (Gen. 3:15), and it is the promise that we have today.

Furthermore, one day the Bible promises that paradise will be restored. One commentator explained it in the following way. “When we look back to the Garden of Eden, we long for the restoration of its perfection, beauty, and peace. And God will not disappoint us.

He will restore Paradise to us, a much better Paradise than the Garden of Eden. In this Paradise Perfected—the new heaven and new earth—our Savior Jesus Christ is the Living Water, who gives eternal life to all. In this heavenly Jerusalem, He is the Tree of Life, who nourishes our body and soul forever.

In this holy city, John says Christ is the Light, giving the city its radiant glory, illuminating its perfection, beauty, and peace. It is a heavenly city whose builder and architect, Christ, came down from heaven to earth, to clothe it with His righteousness. Today there are still many tears shed because of this sin-infested world; so much loneliness, sickness, and death. But in Paradise Perfected, there will only be rejoicing.

God will dwell with us forever, and we will see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face. We will have perfect communion with Him. Do you want to be assured of eternal life in the holy city? Do you want to be healed of sin and death? Jesus invites you to drink from the Living Water and eat from the Tree of Life. By placing your faith in Him, you will have eternal life, and your souls will be nourished forever” (http://twoagespilgrims.com/pasigucrc/index.html/a-better-paradise-restored/).

 In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #2: A Plan for Peace from Eternity to Eternity

As I write this article, I find myself anxiously awaiting the birth of my daughter. Yes, I know that she is not due until September 18th, :) but I’m still anxiously looking forward to Naomi’s arrival. Yet, there is one thing I’m not looking forward to: dating. As a father, I know that we need to question the plans of those who come to date our daughter, since I was also one of those questionable punk teens. ;) Many have come up with practical rules for dating one’s daughter like “Use your hands on my daughter and you’ll lose them after.” And “If your pants hang off your hips, I’ll gladly secure them with my nail gun.” etc. :)

Thus, motives need to be questioned. However, one whose motives do not need to be question is the Lord Himself. Why do His motives not need to be questioned? Answer: because He clearly revealed them in His Word from eternity past. “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21).

As we study the pages of the Bible we learn that God had a plan from eternity past to eternity future to know, experience and live in His perfect peace. Biblical peace speaks of completeness, health, justice, prosperity, and protection. It is a peace which calms any internal conflict. Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us, but the peace of God moves in our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of the conflict. It is a peace that passes all understanding.

How was this peace made possible for us? It is made available to us through the blood of the eternal covenant (Heb. 13:20). From eternity past, God had a plan to create mankind so that we might enjoy a relationship with Him and the peace that He offers. However, mankind rebelled against God ever since the Garden of Eden.; and God knew that this would take place even before He created mankind. Therefore, He likewise had a plan to restore that peace before we ever rebelled against Him.

God’s plan of peace with mankind was revealed immediately following the first sin that ever took place (Gen. 3:15). The punishment for sin, our rebellion has always been death (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:22). However, God provided a means for us not to experience the punishment that our sins demand. In the Garden of Eden, it was the blood of animals that God created, knowing in advance that they would be used to cover Adam and Eve’s sin (Gen. 3:21). This in and of itself would be a picture of what was to come, the Lamb of God, Jesus, who would die taking away our sin.

Jesus’s death was in accordance with God’s eternal plan (Acts 2:23). In fact, Scripture even states that Jesus was “slain from the foundations of the world” (Rev. 13:8). “In eternity, God planned for the Son of God to step into history to provide the ultimate sacrifice—the sinless Son of God would suffer sin’s penalty of death, be raised from the dead, thus providing a way of salvation” (Ken Ham, “Slain from the Foundation of the World” available from https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/creation-museum/slain-from-the-foundation-of-the-world/).

God knew and planned through His great sovereignty to work through people and their own freewill decisions to accomplish His plan of peace for mankind. Even when we were His enemies, and hostile towards Him, He accomplished His wonderful plan of peace (Rom. 5:10). God knew the battle that would rage between Satan and those seeking to follow God, yet He orchestrated His eternal plan of peace through endless trials (Rev. 12:17).

When He created the stars in the heavens for signs and seasons, declaring His glory (Gen. 1:14; Ps. 19:1), He created and knew the star that would guide the wise-men to Bethlehem at the time that the eternal Son of God became a man (Matt. 2:10).  And when the hands of sinful men nailed Jesus to the cross of their own freewill, they were actually fulfilling His eternal plan of peace. The eternal covenant of peace rules the universe. God will accomplish His plan for our lives, a plan not to harm us, but a plan of peace, hope, and a future with Him (Jer. 29:11). That is God’s motivation behind what He does.

But have you come to peace with God? You can. It is through a personal relationship with His Son. If you would like to know about having peace with God, I encourage you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30. 

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you” (2 Thess. 3:16).

 In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #1: Let’s Make a Deal

This past month, my wife and I did something that we have not done in 17 years. We bought a vehicle. I’ll be honest, I was not a big fan of having to do that.  I don’t like the hassle of potentially pushy salespeople, etc. And I especially don’t like vehicle payments! But our car was not in good shape; the repairs that it badly needed would cost way more than what the vehicle was worth. So we did the inevitable and made a deal with a used car salesman. Now, for the record, I think that the salesman was fair with us, and we like our new ride. Yet if there would have been some way around having to make a deal on a new set of wheels, I would have done it!

This all got me thinking of deals that were made in the Bible; the most significant are called covenants. Covenants are similar to contracts, like the one we signed for our new vehicle. We agreed to pay X number of dollars for a certain amount of time until the loan was paid off. Meanwhile, we get to enjoy the new ride.

A covenant with God can be seen as a partnership with Him to accomplish a goal together. When God created the world, everything was very good (Gen. 1:31). The covenants were and are a means to bring even more good into the world we live in; things like families, love, justice, peace, and joy, etc. There are 7 major covenants listed in the Bible: the Eternal Covenant (Heb. 13:20), the Covenant of Eden (Gen. 1-3), the Noahic Covenant (Gen. 6-9), the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1-3), the Mosaic Covenant, aka the Old Covenant (Ex. 19:4-31:18), the Davidic Covenant, and the Covenant of Christ, aka the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-33; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 8:8-12).

Contained within these 7 major covenants are what is known as the “Three Great Ages.” The Three Great Ages help us understand some of the major changes that take place throughout the history of the Bible including the priesthood, laws, places of worship, and sacrifices. Hebrews 7:12 states that when the priesthood changes the law must change also, and so does the place of worship and sacrifices. The Three Great Ages are the Patriarchal Age beginning with Adam and Eve and ending with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. Second, the Mosaic Age, beginning with the receiving of the Ten Commandments and ending with Jesus on the Cross. And third, the Christian/Church Age, beginning on the cross and ending when Jesus returns (for more information on the Three Great Ages see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Understand%20the%20Bible). So while, the Three Great Ages each had/have an ending point, portions of the 7 major covenants will remain for eternity.

So for the next several months, we will consider each of the 7 major covenants and how they relate to us today and forever. By doing so, we will be better able to understand what God expects of us, God promises to us when we follow the covenants, the consequences for those who break the contract, and the condition for obtaining those blessings.

So “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. And may the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace” (Num. 6:24-26 NLT).   

In His service,

        Matt