Sermon audio available here.

I.   Introduction
      A. Covenant is an important concept to understand.
          1. We celebrate te establishment of our covenant with God each week.
          2. Covenant: a solemn, binding agreement.
      B. God has long established covenants with men
          1. With Noah (Gen. 9:9, 6:18)
          2. With Abraham (Gen 15:18; 17:7-8)
      C. What are the terms of our covenant with Him?
          1. What has He offered us as His part?
          2. What do we vow to offer God?
II. The Old Covenant
     A. God established a covenant with Israel through Moses.
         1. It was an agreement in which each would commit to the other (Exodus 19:5-6)
         2. The covenant was formally established (Exodus 24::7-8)
         3. The covenant was perpetual, applying to all born into it. (Exodus 12:17)
         4. Moses warned Israel about breaking the covenant (Deut. 4:23-24)
     B. God kept His word, but Israel violated the covenant.
         1. He delivered the land of Canaan, exalted Israel.
         2. But the Israelites kept turning away from obedience, faithfulness to God. (Hos. 6:4-7; Dan. 9:4-5)
     C. God foretold a new covenant. (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb 8:7-12; Mal. 3:1)
III. The New Covenant
     A. The New Covenant was to be established in a similar way as the Old had been.
         1. Jesus pronounced the teachings, the Law of Christ during His ministry
         2. He established the covenant with blood (Luke 22:20; Rev. 7:14)
         3. It is a covenant into which we are born (John 3:3,5)
     B. It is a covenant in which all know Him (Heb 8:11)
IV. What does this covenant mean to us?
     A. It is to be a covenant of mutual obligation
     B. God is absolutely faithful to uphold His end. (Heb 8:12; I Cor. 1:9)
     C. Our lives must be spent upholding our agreement with God.
         1. His laws must be on our hearts (Heb 8:10)
         2. We come into this relationship agreeing to live righteously (Psa 50:16-17; Acts 2:38)
         3. We live in covenant relationship
             a. He is our God (Matt. 22:37; 10:32)
             b. We are His people
                 i.   The kingdom of priests, the holy nation (Rev. 1:6; I Peter 2:9)
                 ii.  Practicing righteousness rather than sin (I John 3:9)
                 iii. Striving for His perfection (Matt. 5:48)
V.   Conclusion
       A. Are you a part of the New Covenant?
       B. Are you living up to your end of the agreement?