Introduction: Scripture Reading- Hebrews 8:6-13
Discussion:
I. The Purpose of the Old Law
A. The Old Law was a school master or a guide.
a. Galatians 3:23-29
b. Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
c. Acts 8:36-37 “36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
B. Key Points:
a. The Law as a "guardian" or "tutor" to lead us to Christ. (schoolmaster- pahee-dag-o-gos: a boy servant whose office is to take children to school, a tutor, an instructor)
NKJV “23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
“The law was our pedagogue unto Christ. The pedagogue is not the schoolmaster, but the servant who had the care of the children to lead them to and bring them back from school, and had the care of them out of school hours. Thus the law did not teach us the living, saving knowledge; but, by its rites and ceremonies, and especially by its sacrifices, it directed us to Christ,” -Adam Clarke
i. Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
b. The purpose of the Law in revealing sin (Romans 3:19-31).
c. The Old Law was temporary and preparatory, meant to set the stage for Christ’s coming.
II. Fulfillment of the Old Law by Christ
A. Did Christ get rid of or fulfill the Old Law
a. Col. 2:6-15
b. Matthew 5:17-20
c. Heb. 9:11-28
B. Key Points:
a. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.
b. Fulfillment implies bringing it to its intended completion.
c. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection satisfied the requirements of the Law. There was still more to more prophecy to be fulfilled but as a testament, the Law was complete and satisfied.
III. The New Covenant in Christ
A. A New Covenant has been made with Israel. (Hebrews 8:6-13; Gal. 6:16- Israel of God; the church is the Israel of God)
a. Better- 13 verses in Hebrews
b. “more excellent”- 3 verses in Hebrews
i. Heb. 1:4 “more excellent name” (Isa. 62:2, Acts 11:26)
ii. Heb. 8:6 “more excellent ministry”
iii. Heb. 11:4 Abel offered a “more excellent sacrifice” than Cain
c. Still under law: From Adam & Eve, to the children of Jacob or Israel, even to the Christian age today, God has always commanded obedience to be pleasing to Him.
i. I Sam. 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
ii. Gal. 2:21 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
iii. Gal. 6:2 “the law of Christ”
iv. James 1:25 “perfect law of liberty”; free from sin and from the ordinances of the Old Law (Rom. 6)
v. Heb. 5:8-9 “8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9. And being made perfect (telioo- complete), he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
B. Key Points:
a. The Old Covenant was a shadow of the New Covenant (Hebrews 10:1).
i. Sin was remembered year after year because the blood of bulls and goats cannot save.
b. The New Covenant was established on better promises.
ii. The blood of Christ only had to be shed once for true salvation to be offered.
c. Internalization of God’s laws (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
i. James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Conclusion: