Jeremiah 31:33
The new covenant allows us to know God's will and live in fellowship with Him through the cleansing of our sin.
Chuck Smith discusses the significance of the New Covenant as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33, emphasizing that God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people, allowing for a personal relationship with Him. He explains that unlike the old covenant, which relied on external rules and human interpretation, the New Covenant enables individuals to know God's will directly through the Holy Spirit. Smith highlights that true knowledge of God leads to understanding His will, and that forgiveness of sins is essential for this relationship. Ultimately, he reassures that the New Covenant is secure because it is based on God's faithfulness rather than human effort.
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"THE NEW COVENANT"
Intro: Jeremiah was shut up in prison - the nation had failed to keep covenant with God and as
a consequence was falling. God promised to establish a new covenant. The covenant
establishes the basis of relationship with God.
I. GOD WOULD REVEAL HIS WILL TO THE HEART OF EVERY MAN.
"I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS AND WRITE IT UPON THEIR HEARTS."
A. The old covenant written on parchment and tables of stone.
1. They then needed scribes to teach if in order to apply it to teach if in
variety of human circumstances.
a. Thus the Talmud comprises some 60 volumes.
2. The purpose of the law was to express the will of God for an individual's
life.
a. The question asked most often today is, "How can I know the will
of God?"
B. God said He would write it upon our hearts.
1. Man is always seeking an external set of rules.
2. I am to wait upon God in each situation, to receive guidance by the Holy
Spirit.
II. "FOR THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME."
A. The knowledge of the will of God is the outcome of knowing God.
1. This is always God's order.
a. God is never revealed to man through the law.
2. "From the least to the greatest."
a. Not from greatest to least.
"I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou
didst hide these things from the wise and understanding and
did reveal them unto babes."
b. The knowledge of God not dependent upon vast intellectual genius.
3. If we fear the will of God, it is because we do not know God.
B. This knowledge of God comes to us through His Word.
1. Jesus Christ came to reveal God to man.
III. "I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY AND REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE."
A. The cleansing of my sin is what allows me to know God.
1. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
2. As I know God and walk in fellowship with Him, He guides my life
day by day in the varied situations.
B. The old covenant failed because it depended upon man's faithfulness to God. The new
covenant cannot fail because it depends upon God's faithfulness to man.
Sermon Outline
- GOD WOULD REVEAL HIS WILL TO THE HEART OF EVERY MAN points: - The old covenant written on parchment and tables of stone - God said He would write it upon our hearts
- FOR THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME points: - The knowledge of the will of God is the outcome of knowing God - This knowledge of God comes to us through His Word
- I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY AND REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE points: - The cleansing of my sin is what allows me to know God - The new covenant cannot fail because it depends upon God's faithfulness to man
Key Quotes
“I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS AND WRITE IT UPON THEIR HEARTS.” — Chuck Smith
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” — Chuck Smith
“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding and did reveal them unto babes.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should wait upon God in each situation to receive guidance by the Holy Spirit.
- The cleansing of our sin is essential to knowing God.
- The new covenant cannot fail because it depends on God's faithfulness to man.