SMC
October 4, 2026

      • Ephesians 2:1–10ESV

  • The Way The Truth And The Life
  • Trust In God
  • Goodness Of God
  • Introduction
    Text
    CONNECTION
    Hebrews 8:6 ESV
    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.
    TAKE HOME
    The New Covenant is anchored in what Jesus has accomplished and promised, not in human rituals or willpower.
    MESSAGE FOCUS
    Scripture Introduction
    The priesthood of Jesus. Moving from the knowledge of his priesthood to emphasizing it function.

    From Earth to Heaven vv. 1-5

    Imagery of the throne of Yahweh
    Appearance of beautiful stones, with a rainbow all around. Flashes of lightning, rumblings of thunder. Seated on the throne is the likeness of human appearance. Above the waist there is bright as gleaming metal, with fire all around.
    Before the throne seven torches of fire. A sea of glass, like crystal. Ten-thousand times ten thousand angels. Four angles with heads of a lion, ox, man, and eagle, with large wings. Fire moves back and forth between them, and they sped from one place to another like the appearance of flashes of lightning. They cry,
    Revelation 4:8 (ESV) “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
    There are twenty-four thrones surrounding the throne of God. These celestial beings fall down in worship, casting their crowns before the throne, saying
    Revelation 4:11 (ESV) “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
    Hebrews 8:1 ESV
    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,
    The true tent
    Shadow
    The earthly was a type and shadow. Shadows require the existence of the real thing.
    It becomes clear, that even the Levitical priesthood was a shadow.
    Seated
    Pointing to Psalm 110:1. Jesus is not on earth, but in heaven.
    The Levitical high priest could only stand for a short time before the throne. This was only for cleansing and atonement, not authority.
    If on earth, Jesus would not be a priest
    He would not qualify, Jesus was not descended from Aaron.
    *Key Point
    In this new arrangement, Jesus, our High Priest, ministers before Yahweh's true throne.
    Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures: Assyrian Obelisk- Cast vs. Sennacherib’s prism & Sargon II palace
    *REFLECTION
    Your life choices are discussed in the throne room of Yahweh. Are you comfortable with Jesus having to intercede for your actions?

    From Willpower to Spirit vv. 6-13

    Motivation: How the meaning comes to life

    Covenants vv. 6-9, 13

    Hebrews 8:6 ESV
    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.
    Old Arrangement
    Faults
    Does not keep humanity from sin
    Served the infancy of society to
    Pass on knowledge of God (reveal sin)
    Short-term care (manifest sin’s terrible nature; restrain sin)
    Point toward the Messiah
    (teach separation from the world).
    Better Promises
    The promises in the first covenant pertained mainly to the present life.
    This is not a devaluing of the Old, otherwise why would the author be using it to prove his point.
    Hebrews 8:8 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,
    New Arrangement
    Which God made with men in regard to salvation.
    Albert Barns- “the system of statutes, directions, laws, and promises by which men are to become subject to him, and to be saved.”
    Hebrews 8:13 ESV
    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.
    The first covenant was added to fill a gap until the promise was fulfilled through Jesus.
    Pass on knowledge of God (reveal sin)
    Short-term care (manifest sin’s terrible nature; restrain sin)
    Point toward the Messiah
    (teach separation from the world).
    Being made perfect (Heb 5:9; 7:28), Jesus is qualified to be the heavenly high priest after the order of Melchizedek, at his death and resurrection.
    Man
    Sympathize
    Appointed
    The ceremonies and national laws are phased out, but not the doctrines the old professed.

    Promises vv. 10-12

    Hebrews 8:10 ESV
    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.
    Compare Ex 24:3, “all the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.”
    The new depends on God’s faithfulness instead of humanities.
    Hebrews 8:10 ESV
    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.
    Not external, but pertaining to the soul
    Empowerment (Holy Spirit) to comply.
    H. D. M. Spence-Jones- “The old covenant promised blessings to the obedient; the new promises blessings to enable us to render obedience.”
    Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
    Hebrews 8:10 ESV
    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.
    Confidence before the throne
    Hebrews 8:11 ESV
    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.
    The old was national, so some did not know God. The new is personal as they are drawn to a relationship.
    Role of Modern Teachers
    If you are a believer, you already know Yahweh exists. Some cultures don’t have His revelation, so they need someone to help them respond to what they know to be true.
    Teachers do not introduce new knowledge of Yahweh. Instead, we remind, clarify (bridge gaps—whether cultural, linguistic, or spiritual; organize concepts), foster contemplation (understanding), direct focus toward Yahweh, encourage application (wisdom), encouragement, and defend what you know.
    Hebrews 8:12 ESV
    For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
    Romans 7:25–8:1 “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
    *Key Point
    The new covenant empowers us by the Holy Spirit to truly know God and pursue holiness, all while living in the freedom of forgiven sins.
    *APPLICATION
    If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    Processing with God what needs to be considered.
    Proverbs 2:3–5 if you call out for insight, if you seek it like silver, then you will find the knowledge of God.”
    Means
    Guiding principles and values
    Engage scripture
    Big picture
    Summary
    In this new arrangement, Jesus, our High Priest, ministers before Yahweh's true throne.
    The new covenant empowers us by the Holy Spirit to truly know God and pursue holiness, all while living in the freedom of forgiven sins.
    The New Covenant is anchored in what Jesus has accomplished and promised, not in human rituals or willpower.

      • Hebrews 8:6ESV

      • Revelation 4:8ESV

      • Revelation 4:11ESV

      • Hebrews 8:1ESV

      • Hebrews 8:1ESV

      • Hebrews 8:4ESV

      • Hebrews 8:6ESV

      • Hebrews 8:6ESV

      • Hebrews 8:8ESV

      • Hebrews 8:13ESV

      • Hebrews 8:10ESV

      • Exodus 24:3ESV

      • Hebrews 8:10ESV

      • Philippians 2:13ESV

      • Hebrews 8:10ESV

      • Hebrews 4:16ESV

      • Hebrews 8:11ESV

      • Hebrews 8:11ESV

      • Hebrews 8:12ESV

      • Romans 7:25–8:1ESV

      • Proverbs 2:3–5ESV

  • Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
SMC
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