Rooted in God’s Love

• Colossians 2:6
– so just as you received Christ Jesus as lord,
continue to live in him, ROOTED and BUILT
UP IN Him, strengthened in the FAITH as you
were taught and overflowing with
thankfulness.
 Andrew Murray: Two Covenants
• To many a man, who has never thought much of
the Covenant, a true and living faith in it would
mean the transformation of his whole life. The
full knowledge of what God wants to do for him;
the assurance that it will be done by an Almighty
Power; the being drawn to God Himself in
personal surrender, and dependence, and
waiting to have it done; all this would make the
Covenant the very gate of heaven.
 Why study the Covenants?
1. Deeper understanding of the Bible
2. Everything God does is based on covenant
3. Better Understanding of the New Covenant
4. Assurance, Freedom, Power
5. Attitude of Gratitude & Worship
6. Accountability & responsibility
7. Understand missing pieces of the puzzle

8. YOU WILL NEVER BE

THE SAME AGAIN!!!
 Do you know the love
story of God?

Do you know the action-sci- fact

‘blockbuster’ story of God?

 Did you know…
• God loves us & wants to bless us.
• To prove it he has taken the initiative to
enter into an eternal covenant of love with
us.
• This covenant of love is available to all
who will enter it.
 The Covenant Story
Judahites
Abraham return from
Isaac, Jacob exile/captivity
(Abrahamic to Jerusalem
Split
Covenant) Assyria
Kingdom
Invaded
Adam &
Slavery
Eve
in Egypt Judges Israel
Jesus
The Fall New

ICC 2010
(Genesis) (Northern
Covenant
Kingdom)

Judah
Noah & the Moses Southern Wall &
Temple
Flood & the Kingdom Rebuilt in
(Noahic Exodus King David Jerusalem
Covenant) (Sinaitic United Conquered by
Covenant) Israel Babylon & exiled Church Age
(Davidic (Isaiah/ Jeremiah)
Covenant) New covenant
prophesied
Old Covenant New Covenant
 BERIT
• Greek: Diatheke
• a treaty between two parties
– more than a promise, more than contract…
– Has obligations on both sides
 2 types of covenants:
1. Parity Treaty - a voluntary agreement
between equals (e.g. David & Jonathan 1 Sam 18:3)

2. Suzerainty Treaty - treaties of loyalty

between a great king and a lesser king (his
vassal)
– Superior/Inferior relationship
 God’s Covenant with Abram
• God initiated & established this treaty with
Abram.
• Gen. 15:6
– Abram believed the Lord and he credited it
to him as righteousness.
What did Abram believe God
for?
1. Progeny (Descendants/ Children)
2. Divine Human relationships
3. Land (Nation)
 We are part of this covenant!
• Gal. 3:29
– if you belong to Christ , then you are
Abraham’s seed and heirs according to
promise.
 1. Exchange of Coat/Robe
1 Sam 18:1-4
• Taking on each other’s identity
• Two become one – end of independent
living. e.g.Marriage

• Gal.3:26-27
– All of you were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
2. Exchange of belt & weapons
• 1 Sam. 18:1-4
• Exchange of strength, support & protection
• If anyone attacks you, they attack me.
 3. Cutting the Covenant
Gen.15:1-9 – Jer. 34:18-19
• God’s covenant with Abram was a blood
covenant.
• Life must be given & blood must be shed.
– e.g. Henry Stanley
1.Dying to ourselves, giving up our rights
2.Beginning a new walk with covenant partner
 4. Hands & Mixing of Blood
• Intermingling of blood – our lives become
one.
 5. Exchange of Names
• The ‘H” from YHWH was incorporated
– e.g. Abram – became AbraHam
– sarai – became saraH

• And God takes Abraham’s name: “the God

of Abraham…”
 6. Make a Scar
• Scar will bare witness to the covenant
• Circumcision: Gen.17
7. Giving Covenant Terms
8. Eat the memorial meal
– Communion
– I’m in you and you are in me.
9. Plant a Memorial
 If you agree to abide by the
covenant, then...
• God’s identity becomes your identity
• God’s strength becomes your strength
• Your enemies would become God’s
enemies
• God’s pronouncements of blessings and
curses apply to you, too.