Covenant
Commentary
Sometimes I hear persons talking about their relationship to God as though they're bargaining with him. They are convinced that "if" they do certain things or believe certain things they will be assured of God's blessing in return. It sounds as if they are talking about a contract rather than a covenant.
Contracts are usually made between equals. Covenants are made between unequals and the initiative is with the greater. In religious covenants it is God who initiates the covenant and sets the terms.
God always keeps his covenants. We can refuse his terms and walk away if we wish, and generally to our own detriment since covenants are offered for our sake to begin with.
Go back and read the covenant stories -- Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Mosaic, prophetic. Again and again God comes to his people to offer a new covenant in an attempt to save them from themselves. Again and again the covenant is rejected or broken. Again and again the covenant offer is made. God never gives up on us.
OUTLINE I
The Marks of Discipleship
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:7-10; John 12:20-33
Introduction: Begin by making the point that while God's grace is unmotivated by anything we do and it is of his own choosing, that does not for a moment mean we have no part to play. We are expected to respond.
A. Jeremiah: The new covenant proclaimed by Jeremiah makes the recipients of the covenant God's possession. In contrast to the actions of their ancestors they are expected to be faithful to the covenant and act like God's possessions, God's own people. Check the expectations laid out by Jeremiah and note them.
B. Hebrews: Jesus' relationship to God is seen as resting squarely on obedience. Completely obedient he is worthy to command our obedience. Discuss the matter of obedience. Obedience to what? How? Implications?
C. John: Our relationship to Jesus is a relationship built on service. We are to do as he did and be ready to lay down our lives in self-giving service. To follow him, to be his disciple, is to do what he does.Conclusion: Possession, obedience and service are key words to an understanding of our relationship to our Lord.
OUTLINE II
Listening With a Spiritual Ear
John 12:20-33
Introduction: It is clear that Jesus now perceives himself as moving even closer to the cross. He speaks to those near him in clear words but, like us most of the time, they do not tumble to what he says.
A. It is interesting that Jesus begins this oration right after a group of Greeks (Gentiles) are introduced. Remind the congregation this story is in the Gospel of John, written for a Greek audience. It is as if John is saying:Now Jesus' work is done. The whole world has drawn near.
B. John uses everyday words that are clearly understood by the hearer. But the understanding is on one level only. What is said about grain is true, of course, but John wants them to see that in this agricultural parable Jesus is talking about the fruit borne of his obedience.
C. That fruit, of course, is to be gained by those who respond to his act in wholehearted self-giving.
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to hear these proclamations again. The gospel is for all, Jesus himself is the good news and those who make the commitment and take the step see the truth.
OUTLINE III
A Word of Hope
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Introduction: Recall the circumstances under which these words of hope are written; the Babylonian exile has crushed all hope out of the hearts of those who have been carried away from home. Read the first six verses of the 137th Psalm as an expression of the brokenness of the people. They are at the bottom of the pit and there seems to be no hope.
A. Review Jeremiah's interpretation of the hour. The people are where they are because of their disobedience. Though other prophets are saying that their situation is temporary and advising them not to unpack, Jeremiah sees God's judgment working itself out in world events. His advice is given clearly in chapter 29.
B. The weeping prophet is nevertheless the prophet of hope. He brings good news, too. God has not abandoned them. He has not lingered in Jerusalem as they think. He is coming to them in Babylon and is using these terrible hours to refine them for a new day of hope. Jeremiah shares the view of Isaiah 43.
Conclusion: Ours is a God who is ever at work in every possible way to turn us around, to refine us, to cleanse us, to make us over and to drive us back to him. Even in the most difficult hours of our lives, when all is dark and dreary and, like Jeremiah, we lament the loss of everything including the presence of God, remind the hearers we can know that he is still there. In all likelihood Psalm 139 was written for this hour. Share it with the congregation and lead them through its consideration of God's omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence, all of which is our hope.
Contracts are usually made between equals. Covenants are made between unequals and the initiative is with the greater. In religious covenants it is God who initiates the covenant and sets the terms.
God always keeps his covenants. We can refuse his terms and walk away if we wish, and generally to our own detriment since covenants are offered for our sake to begin with.
Go back and read the covenant stories -- Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Mosaic, prophetic. Again and again God comes to his people to offer a new covenant in an attempt to save them from themselves. Again and again the covenant is rejected or broken. Again and again the covenant offer is made. God never gives up on us.
OUTLINE I
The Marks of Discipleship
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:7-10; John 12:20-33
Introduction: Begin by making the point that while God's grace is unmotivated by anything we do and it is of his own choosing, that does not for a moment mean we have no part to play. We are expected to respond.
A. Jeremiah: The new covenant proclaimed by Jeremiah makes the recipients of the covenant God's possession. In contrast to the actions of their ancestors they are expected to be faithful to the covenant and act like God's possessions, God's own people. Check the expectations laid out by Jeremiah and note them.
B. Hebrews: Jesus' relationship to God is seen as resting squarely on obedience. Completely obedient he is worthy to command our obedience. Discuss the matter of obedience. Obedience to what? How? Implications?
C. John: Our relationship to Jesus is a relationship built on service. We are to do as he did and be ready to lay down our lives in self-giving service. To follow him, to be his disciple, is to do what he does.Conclusion: Possession, obedience and service are key words to an understanding of our relationship to our Lord.
OUTLINE II
Listening With a Spiritual Ear
John 12:20-33
Introduction: It is clear that Jesus now perceives himself as moving even closer to the cross. He speaks to those near him in clear words but, like us most of the time, they do not tumble to what he says.
A. It is interesting that Jesus begins this oration right after a group of Greeks (Gentiles) are introduced. Remind the congregation this story is in the Gospel of John, written for a Greek audience. It is as if John is saying:Now Jesus' work is done. The whole world has drawn near.
B. John uses everyday words that are clearly understood by the hearer. But the understanding is on one level only. What is said about grain is true, of course, but John wants them to see that in this agricultural parable Jesus is talking about the fruit borne of his obedience.
C. That fruit, of course, is to be gained by those who respond to his act in wholehearted self-giving.
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to hear these proclamations again. The gospel is for all, Jesus himself is the good news and those who make the commitment and take the step see the truth.
OUTLINE III
A Word of Hope
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Introduction: Recall the circumstances under which these words of hope are written; the Babylonian exile has crushed all hope out of the hearts of those who have been carried away from home. Read the first six verses of the 137th Psalm as an expression of the brokenness of the people. They are at the bottom of the pit and there seems to be no hope.
A. Review Jeremiah's interpretation of the hour. The people are where they are because of their disobedience. Though other prophets are saying that their situation is temporary and advising them not to unpack, Jeremiah sees God's judgment working itself out in world events. His advice is given clearly in chapter 29.
B. The weeping prophet is nevertheless the prophet of hope. He brings good news, too. God has not abandoned them. He has not lingered in Jerusalem as they think. He is coming to them in Babylon and is using these terrible hours to refine them for a new day of hope. Jeremiah shares the view of Isaiah 43.
Conclusion: Ours is a God who is ever at work in every possible way to turn us around, to refine us, to cleanse us, to make us over and to drive us back to him. Even in the most difficult hours of our lives, when all is dark and dreary and, like Jeremiah, we lament the loss of everything including the presence of God, remind the hearers we can know that he is still there. In all likelihood Psalm 139 was written for this hour. Share it with the congregation and lead them through its consideration of God's omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence, all of which is our hope.
