King Jesus establishes a new covenant for his people

by Ps Steve

Big idea:
Jesus the ascended king is the mediator of the new covenant between God and His people

#1
Jesus the Ascended king, He fulfils and Mediates the New Covenant

Luke 22:20
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a]


Jeremiah 31:31-34
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to[a] them,[b]” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”


The word "new covenant" was first mentioned here

Israel was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. This verse was given to prophet Jeremiah during the dark history moment

People lack the power to obey and to live it out fully

YHWH promised a new covenant that will bring inward transformation through His Spirit, not merely outward obedience through written commands

The real problem is not stem from the act of disobedience, It is our hearts

Ezekiel 36:25-26
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.


Just as the passover lamb's blood protected and saved Israel from death in Egypt, Christ blood now rescues us from the power of sin and separation from God

Hebrews 8:1
Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,


Hebrews 8:6-7
But 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. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.


Jesus is now the enthroned king reigning in heaven

He present his finish sacrifice on our behalf declaring we have been made right through His blood

This New Covenant restores and fulfils God's original purpose for humanity:
1. Intimacy with God
2. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
3. Participation in God's global mission

How should we respond?
We respond by pledging and reaffirming our loyal allegiance to King Jesus, and living faithfully under His covenant

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


The NT present a bigger and new picture of what it means to submit to the kingdom gospel

# The Full Biblical Response to the Kingdom Gospel:
@ REPENTANCE
Turning away from sinful patterns and rejecting false loyalties to idols, powers and self rule

@ FAITH & ALLEGIANCE
Placing our trusting loyalty in Jesus as the Christ and reigning King

@ PUBLIC COMMITMENT
Placing our allegiance through baptism as an open confession of faith

@ LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
Receiving the Holy Spirit and growing within the Spirit-filled community of Christ

If baptism is public initiation, then communion is a regular practice of reaffirming our allegiance to Him

Communion is a covenent-remembrance act that celebrates Christ finished work and reaffirms our loyal allegiance to King Jesus

# Holy Communion is about:
@ COMMEMORATION
Remember Christ sacrifice, proclaiming His death and looking forward to His return

@ COMMUNION
Sharing in fellowship with Christ and expressing our unity as His body

@ CONSECRATION
Reaffirming our loyal commitment to Christ and renewing our devotion to live under His reign as a church family

Application:
Approach Baptism and Communion as a public pledge of allegiance and renewal to King Jesus

#2: The Spirit empowers God's people to live out the New covenent

The outpouring of the holy spirit was a public proof of His enthronement and reign

Acts 2:33
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.


1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.


We are to be obedience, worship and be loyal witnesses to point others back to Jesus

2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


Holy Spirit is not optional but essential empowering us to live by his spirit to live out His mission on earth

Do not be a christian merely to Experience forgiveness without ongoing transformation

While failing to live out His kingdom life....

Application:
Acknowledge, accept and live according to the terms of this New Covenent

1. Acknowledge: Jesus as our Mediator and King, and place your trusting loyalty in Him under the New Covenant

2. Accept: Welcome the work of the Holy Spirit to transform your heart and align your life with God's will and reign

3. Act: Live out your covenant identity through Spirit-empowered worship, obedience and faithful witness


Because Jesus is enthroned and the Spirit is given:
1. We live under a present-King, not a distant saviour
2. We do not rely on will power, we rely on the Spirit
3. We expect real transformation
4. We are ministers of the New Covenent

The new covenant Is not a private faith but public allegiance that calls for our response, the invitation is already sent. The king has sealed it with His blood