Sermon

Covenant Salvation

December 3, 2000PM · Sermon Outline PDF

We reject Presbyterianism, but we are saved by a covenant

The ERROR

  1. Some believe the old covenant was salvation by works and the new salvation by grace.
  2. Presbyterians and other reformed Catholics believe a conditional covenant with children.
    1. They presume without basis that circumcision of the old is baptism of the new.
    2. They adopt heresies as infant baptism, confirmation, sacraments, Godparents, etc.
  3. Most Baptists and others believe Jesus made a covenant pinata of salvation and spiritual blessings for you to strike at with a personal decision in the flesh to get at the goodies.
  4. Salvation is only by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; 15:11; John 14:6).

The ILLUSTRATION

  1. A great father is good during life and good at death (Prov 13:22; 19:14; II Cor 12:14).
  2. We usually call such written covenants the “last will and testament” of an individual.
  3. Courts employ clerks and servants to find and inform beneficiaries of their inheritance.
  4. The Judge – God the Father – determines the validity and legality of the covenant.
  5. The Testator – Jesus the Son – died to put the testament or covenant into force.
  6. The Executor – the Holy Ghost – applies the benefits to the account of each beneficiary.

The TRUTH

  1. There is only one covenant of salvation – the eternal covenant of grace – though there be several different dispensations and administrations and revelations of that one covenant.
  2. Blood redemption is by the everlasting covenant of God (Heb 13:20-21; Isaiah 53:10-12).
  3. As with all covenants or wills, they only go into force at the time of death (Heb 9:15-18).
  4. The covenant transaction was between God and Christ rather than sinners (Heb 9:12,14).
  5. The covenant benefits are only for those specially chosen by God (John 6:38; Eph 1:3-4).
  6. God promised eternal life before the world began but recently revealed it (Titus 1:2-3).
  7. This everlasting covenant includes regeneration and justification (Hebrews 8:10-12).

The GOSPEL

  1. The gospel news of this Divine transaction is for our conscience (Heb 9:14; I Pet 3:21).
  2. Note: only in your conscience can you be justified by the law or fall from grace (Gal 5:4).
  3. The news to a natural man – spiritually dead in his sins – is mere foolishness (I Cor 2:14).
    1. There are no benefits for reprobates, for God cut them out of His glorious will.
    2. There are no conditions for reprobates, for they could not perform them anyway.
  4. The news to a spiritual man – alive by regeneration – brings facts to light (II Tim 1:10).
    1. It brings the news God was in Christ reconciling us to Himself (II Cor 5:18-21).
    2. It brings things we can do to please our Father and enjoy true living (Ps 19:11).
  5. The gospel brings joy, relief, and peace of knowing about the covenant (I Cor 1:18,24).

The GLORY

  1. David ascribed all his salvation and desire to an everlasting covenant (II Samuel 23:1-5).
  2. God confirmed His promises with an oath for strong consolation and hope (Heb 6:16-20).
  3. There is no worry about this covenant (Jer 33:20-21; 31:35-36; Is 54:9-10; Ps 89:34-37).
  4. This covenant we remember and celebrate at the Lord’s Supper (Luk 22:20; I Cor 11:25).
  5. If you wish to glimpse the glory of this covenant, then read Revelation 5:1-14 and 11:19.

The RESULT

  1. Slothful and foolish saints may live fruitless lives by forgetting the covenant (II Pet 1:9).
  2. The God of the everlasting covenant works His will in obedient saints (Hebrews 13:21).
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