Sabbath Afternoon

Prayer Thought

But in the new covenant, which the Lord is now about to fulfill, the commandments of God (Ex. 20:1-17), unlike in the old will not be written on tables of stone (Ex. 31:18) but in fleshy tables of the heart, and at that time all shall "know the Lord,...from the least of them unto the greatest of them" (Jer. 31:34) -- exhibiting a church without tares. Inspiration says,

"There must be more earnest, persevering prayer. Prayer is acceptable only when offered in faith and in the name of the Redeemer. Our faith must grasp the glorious fact that God hears and answers the prayers of every sincere seeker. As the believer bows in supplication before God, and in humility and contrition offers his petition from unfeigned lips, keeping his eyes fixed steadily on the Mediator of the new covenant, he loses all thought of self. His mind is filled with the thought of what he must have in order to build up a Christlike character. He prays, "Lord, if I am to be a channel through which thy love is to flow day by day and hour by hour, I claim by faith the grace and power that thou hast promised. "He fastens his hold firmly on the promise, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." {RH, January 27, 1903 par. 7}

Memory Text

"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." {Heb. 8:6, KJV}

This week's SS Lesson will reveal significant process of how Jesus, the Son of God initiated as a sacrifice and mediate in human's behalf. In the new covenant where, He, the only hope of human beings who have taken the fallen nature, relate Himself to sinners, died and have resurrected, ascended and mediated in the heavenly courts as the advocate for the descendants of Adam and Eve.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: The Need of a New Covenant

Heb. 7:11-19; 9:13, 14; 10:1-4, 19-23; John 1:29; Gal. 3:20-28; Rom. 7:12-14

Monday: New and Renewed

Heb. 8:8, 9, 10-12; Deut. 6:4-6; 30:11-14; Jer. 31:31-34; Ps. 37:31; 119:11; Isa. 51:7

Tuesday: The New Covenant has a Better Mediator

Heb. 1:3; 4:12, 13; 8:1-6; 7:22; 9:15-22; 6:19, 20; 10:5-10; Exo. 33:11; 34:29-35; John 1;1-3, 14.

Wednesday: The New Covenant has a Better Promises

Heb. 11:10, 13-16; 8:6; 10:5-10; 7:22; Exo. 24:1-8.

Thursday: The New Covenant has Solved the Problem of the Heart

Jer. 31:33; 36:23; 3:13; 17:1; 13:10, 23; 23:17; Ezek. 36, 26, 27; Exo. 20:1, 2; 31:18; Deut. 10:1-4; 29:4; Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: The Need of a New Covenant

Heb. 7:11-19; 9:13, 14; 10:1-4, 19-23; John 1:29; Gal. 3:20-28; Rom. 7:12-14

For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,” (Hebrews 7:18)

Specification of God's Requirements is in Jesus

He came to fulfill all righteousness, and, as the head of humanity, to show man that he can do the same work, meeting every specification of the requirements of God. Through the measure of His grace furnished to the human agent, not one need miss heaven. Perfection of character is attainable by everyone who strives for it. This is made the very foundation of the new covenant of the gospel. The law of Jehovah is the tree; the gospel is the fragrant blossoms and fruit which it bears. {AG 141.3}

Necessity of a Saviour as Revealed in Abrahamic Covenant

They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. Now by faith and love they were bound to God as their deliverer from the bondage of sin. Now they were prepared to appreciate the blessings of the new covenant. {PP 371.4}

Consider the following

The basis of the new covenant is a change of law (Hebrews 7:12, 19, 22). So which commandment was abrogated by the new covenant?

The sacrificial law was weak and unprofitable, as seen in the verses referenced before. It was weak because the mediators were weak (Hebrews 7:28). It was unprofitable because it could not make the worshippers perfect (Hebrews 10:1, 4).

The new covenant is based on a new sacrifice and a new priesthood (Hebrews 10:10). A perfect sacrifice and an eternal priesthood that can give us eternal life (Hebrews 7:25).

Monday: New and Renewed

Heb. 8:8, 9, 10-12; Deut. 6:4-6; 30:11-14; Jer. 31:31-34; Ps. 37:31; 119:11; Isa. 51:7

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Hebrews 8:10)

A Land of Living Streams

But the heart that is surrendered to God, loves the truth of God's word; for through the truth the soul is regenerated. The carnal mind finds no pleasure in contemplating the word of God, but he who is renewed in the spirit of his mind, sees new charms in the living oracles; for divine beauty and celestial light seem to shine in every passage. That which was to the carnal mind a desolate wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams. That which to the unrenewed heart appeared a barren waste, to the converted soul becomes the garden of God, covered with fragrant buds and blooming flowers. {CE 79.2}

The necessity of the Holy Spirit's working should be realized by all. Unless this Spirit is accepted and cherished as the representative of Christ, whose work it is to renew and sanctify the entire being, the momentous truths that have been entrusted to human beings will lose their power on the mind. It is not enough for us to have a knowledge of the truth. We are to walk and work in love, conforming our will to the will of God. Of those who do this the Lord declares, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts" (Hebrews 8:10). . . . Thus divine relationship is renewed between God and man. "'I will be to them a God,'" He says, "'and they shall be to me a people.' There is no attribute of My nature that I will not freely give in order that man may reveal My image." ... {HP 335.4}

Consider the following

Which aspects are new in this covenant? (Hebrews 8:10)

“I will put My laws in their mind” => “they shall be […] between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:8)

“write them on their hearts” => “[they] shall be in your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6)

“I will be their God” => “[I] will be their God” (Exodus 29:45)

“they shall be My people” => “you shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12)

God’s covenant with us is a renewed relationship. It’s an eternal covenant that’s been sealed with Jesus’ blood.

Are we seeking for His fullness, ever pressing toward the mark set before us--the perfection of His character? When the Lord's people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads. Filled with the Spirit, they will be complete in Christ, and the recording angel will declare, "It is finished." {HP 335.5}

Tuesday: The New Covenant has a Better Mediator

Heb. 1:3; 4:12, 13; 8:1-6; 7:22; 9:15-22; 6:19, 20; 10:5-10; Exo. 33:11; 34:29-35; John 1;1-3, 14.

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. (Hebrews 7:22, KJV)

Mediator of the New Covenant

"And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven" [Hebrews 12:24, 25]. {19MR 164.1}

Constantly they are to reach higher and still higher, as workers together with God. They are to reach a high spiritual standard. Let them study Christ's lessons in the New Testament, that they may better understand his lessons in the Old Testament. The New Testament is the key that unlocks the Old Testament. {SpTB06 8.3}

The kingdom of darkness is extending over the world, and is embracing every sphere of action of men. There are evil spirits working effectually upon every mind that can be led into apostasy through any cause whatever. The spirit of evil energizes the children of rebellion. These evil agencies were at work with Cain when he slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" [Hebrews 11:4].

But the most important question remains to be answered: What is the cleansing of the sanctuary? That there was such a service in connection with the earthly sanctuary is stated in the Old Testament Scriptures. But can there be anything in heaven to be cleansed? In Hebrews 9 the cleansing of both the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary is plainly taught. "Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these [the blood of animals]; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these" (Hebrews 9:22, 23), even the precious blood of Christ. {GC 417.2}

Consider the following

Moses was the faithful mediator in the old covenant (Hebrews 3:5). He spoke with God face to face, and he reflected His glory (Exodus 33:11; 34:29).

Jesus is the mediator in the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6). Jesus mediates between God and humankind. He guarantees that both humankind and God fulfill the covenant:

We couldn’t meet the requirements of the covenant, but His death did

(Hebrews 9:26)

He guarantees that God’s promises will be fulfilled (2 Corinthians 1:19-20)

Please review this SS Lesson for a complete understanding of the New Covenant. You can copy-paste to the browser and/or click this link.

https://sites.google.com/view/sabbathschoolmeatindueseason/2021-q2-the-promise-gods-everlasting-covenant/13-the-new-covenant-life-june-19-25-2021

Wednesday: The New Covenant has a Better Promises

Heb. 11:10, 13-16; 8:6; 10:5-10; 7:22; Exo. 24:1-8.

“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)

The terms of the "old covenant" were, Obey and live: "If a man do, he shall even live in them;" but "cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them." Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 27:26. The "new covenant" was established upon "better promises"--the promise of forgiveness of sins, and of the grace of God to renew the heart, and bring it into harmony with the principles of God's law. {FLB 78.4}

The only means of salvation is provided under the Abrahamic covenant.

Blessings of the New Covenant

The blessings of the new covenant are grounded purely on mercy in forgiving unrighteousness and sins. . . . All who humble their hearts, confessing their sins, will find mercy and grace and assurance. Has God, in showing mercy to the sinner, ceased to be just? Has He dishonored His holy law, and will He henceforth pass over the violation of it? God is true. He changes not. The conditions of salvation are ever the same. Life, eternal life, is for all who will obey God's law. . . . {AG 136.5}

Under the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life may be gained are the same as under the old--perfect obedience. . . . In the new and better covenant, Christ has fulfilled the law for the transgressors of law, if they receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour. . . . In the better covenant we are cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ. {AG 136.6}

Consider the following

God’s covenant with Israel was based on promises. Both human and divine promises that were sealed with blood (Exodus 24:7-8; Deuteronomy 7:13).

Israel had promised to fulfill them, but they failed.

However, Jesus fulfilled His promises (Hebrews 10:7). When we accept the blood of the new covenant, we are fulfilling its promises through the One who fulfilled them in our place (Hebrews 10:10).

Please review our previous SS Lesson on this subject: copy-paste or click:

https://sites.google.com/view/sabbathschoolmeatindueseason/2021-q2-the-promise-gods-everlasting-covenant/4-an-everlasting-covenant-april-17-23-2021

https://sites.google.com/view/sabbathschoolmeatindueseason/2021-q2-the-promise-gods-everlasting-covenant/2-covenant-primer-april-3-9-2021

Thursday: The New Covenant has Solved the Problem of the Heart

Jer. 31:33; 36:23; 3:13; 17:1; 13:10, 23; 23:17; Ezek. 36, 26, 27; Exo. 20:1, 2; 31:18; Deut. 10:1-4; 29:4; Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

Most of our people are sick because they have not as yet learned how to live. Correct your habits. "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." (Ezek. 18:31, 32.){2SC1: 3.6}

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them." (Ezek. 36:24-27.) {4SC10-12: 12.1.4}

A Stony Heart becomes a New Heart

So to make endurable our days in this life, the Lord mercifully leaves us with our natural, stony hearts, to serve Him according to the provisions of divine grace. And though it is not convenient to do right even under this provision, it would be still less convenient for a saint with "a new heart" to live in the kingdoms of this world, for in an unrighteous environment his righteous heart would make him miserable. Neither could he, in the Kingdom of God, with his natural, stony heart, endure its enmity against the law of God, nor enjoy the glory of the Kingdom. In other words, whereas on the one hand with our spiritual hearts, in the midst of the kingdoms of sin, we would be excruciatingly miserable in beholding crime, accidents, corruption, disease, and suffering; on the other hand with our sinful hearts, in the sinless Kingdom, we would be intolerably unhappy with ourselves, and unable to enjoy the sublime bliss of peace and righteousness. {6SC7-12: 3.2.2}

We are, therefore, for the time present, permitted to serve the Lord with our sinful nature; and our desires to do good, and aims to reach high, that are prompted by our faith in Him, are accounted to us for righteousness. This righteousness is His righteousness, in us by faith. {6SC7-12: 3.2.3}

Meat In Due Season (google.com) - the Heart of the Message where our heart will be better

Meat In Due Season (google.com) - the everlasting Kingdom of God where the operation of our stony heart into a heart of flesh - a better heart.

Consider the following

In the new covenant, God’s laws are put in the mind and written on the heart

(Hebrews 8:10).

However, our own thoughts and decisions keep us from keeping the law. How can we solve this? Should we change the law, or change our minds and hearts?

Some people think that God removed the law so we could enter His covenant. But Paul clearly explained that the law is not the issue, but our minds and hearts are.

Thus, God gives us the Holy Spirit to transform and improve our minds and hearts (Ezekiel 36:27).

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

As the fulfillment of this scripture is yet future, it proves that at the present time everyone of us is unclean, and that none of us is walking in God's statutes and keeping or doing His judgments, for after the Lord takes us from among the heathen and into our own land, "then" He says, He will cleanse our hearts and cause us to walk in His statutes and keep His judgments.

We are, therefore, still in the period of conversion and sanctification by faith, looking forward to the time when the Lord will take us to our own land, and there give us new hearts (Ezek. 36:24-28). Then will we serve Him in holiness (Isa. 62:12). With such a glorious promise in view, wrapped in love divine, may everyone now exercise the faith of Christ, cultivate His righteousness, and so become eligible for the divine gift of a spiritual heart. {6SC7-12: 3.2.4}

Questions to Ponder

1. How can one talk about the sins of another without condemning himself?

2. Why can’t the Ten Commandments save us, like the young rich man of Mat. 19:16-30 who met Jesus and revealed himself as flawlessly keeping the commandments?

3. What’s the basis of our salvation then? What’s the condition and its results?

3. How do we relate with others upon learning God’s faithfulness to His people and His plan to save humanity?

4. Christ in His substitutionary sacrifice has met the demand of the law through His perfect obedience, what then is the role of obedience in our salvation? Does it give merit to our redemption?

5. How do you understand 2 Corinthians 1:20-22? Does it bring complete hope for you?

6. Based on the passage above, what necessitate us to act earnestly in the present world and how do we prepare for the challenges and trials ahead to maintain our relationship with Jesus and cultivate trust in Him fully?