Audio Sermons

Renewing Our Strength in the Lord:

The Mediator of the New Covenant

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 29^th June 2025

Text: Hebrews 8:1-13

1.        Jesus Christ the Mediator (vv.1-6)

1.1.     The Epistle to the Hebrews: to encourage the believing Jews not to forsake faith due to persecution and to look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith.

1.2 The Superiority of Christ:

i. As a Prophet: Jesus is superior to the Old Testament types of revelation through the angels and human prophets, with Moses prophesizing that Christ is THE Prophet (Deut. 18:18-19).

ii. As a Priest-King: Jesus is the High Priest-King ordained after the order of Melchizedek by God Himself, a unique priesthood superior to the high priest of the Levitical priesthood (Ps. 110:4).

1.3 The Mediatorship of Christ:

i. Reconciliation: Men have sinned against God and have fled from God – Jesus brought men back to the fold of God (2Cor. 5:17-21).

ii. Restoration: God has created us in His image and Christ restores this image in us which has been corrupted by sin:

a) Knowledge (Col. 3:10) – as a prophet, Christ brought us enlightenment / illumination of the true knowledge of God.

b) Righteousness (Eph. 4:24) – as a king, Christ restores in us the sense of righteousness when we submit ourselves unto His kingship in our lives.

c) Holiness (Eph. 4:24) – as a priest, Christ represents us unto God to reconcile us unto God.

iii. Redemption: The atonement of Christ has been completed at the cross (John 19:30) but the priestly ministry of Christ takes place in the heavenly sanctuary.

1.4 The Ministry of Christ:

i. Old Testament Temple: God gave Moses instructions on how to build the tabernacle (mobile temple) and its furniture – showing him the pattern thereof of the heavenly tabernacle.

ii. Heavenly Sanctuary: the ministry of Christ as the mediator is more excellent because it involves the heavenly sanctuary and not OT types.

2. The New Covenant (vv.6-13)

2.1 The First Covenant (v.9): given to the people at Mount Sinai – the moral law (knowledge), the judicial law (righteousness) and the ceremonial law (holiness).

2.2 The Fault (vv.7-8): lies not in the first covenant itself but in the adherents for they were unable to keep the law perfectly.

2.3 New Covenant: not a new revelation but already been announced by the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 31:31-34).

i. Inward Heart (v.10): it does not focus on the obedience to an external code inscribed on stone but implanted in the hearts of the people (Ezek. 36:26-27).

ii. Personal Relationship (v.11): it is not based on the genealogical relationship but a personal relationship with God, with the Holy Spirit teaching them (John 6:45; 1John 2:27).

iii. Forgiveness of Sin (v.12): it is based on the complete forgiveness of sins with the penalty paid in full by Christ.

2.4 Application: The understanding of the mediator of the new covenant fills us with a great assurance of hope when we are discouraged in our walk of faith in this difficult life (Job 14:1).