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Chapter 14

The New Order

1. Jesus Christ and the Law’s Diminished Role
   1. Righteousness Not by Law, but Faith in Jesus Christ
      • The Mosaic Law cannot bring perfection . . .
      • . . . The law only exacerbates the problem of sin
      • People are not justified or made righteous by obeying the law – but by faith in Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . This is the way of the righteousness from God, who justifies by faith – not by law
      • By faith Abraham was declared righteous and received the promise – and so will all who emulate him
      • One’s righteous standing is no reason to boast, as it is not due to what one does – but to faith
   2. Salvation by Grace, through Jesus Christ
      • God chooses and calls people by his grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ – not because of works
      • God leads people to respond to him by his grace
      • People are justified and made righteous by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ – not by law
      • People are saved by God’s grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . People are saved by God’s grace and mercy rather than by works and the law
      • Eternal life is a gift from God, through Jesus Christ
      • Note: Jesus Christ’s grace and mercy are integral to salvation
   3. Release from the Law through Jesus Christ
      • Jesus Christ fully realized what the law had worked towards
      • So through Jesus Christ believers have been released from the law
      • With Jesus Christ’s once and for all sacrifice, there is no longer any need to sacrifice for sin
      • The regulations and rituals of the law are no longer applicable . . .
      • . . . Believers are released from the food regulations of the law
      • Instead of being under the law, believers are under grace and Jesus Christ’s law
   4. The Relevance of the Law
      • The law is not nullified . . .
      • . . . The law is still good
      • The primary purpose of the law is to make people aware of sin
      • The spiritual and moral commands of the law are still to be obeyed
      • The law’s principles – such as love, justice and mercy – are of central importance, above its rules

2. Key Elements of the New Order
   1. God’s New Covenant
      • Prelude: The OT Scriptures speak of God instituting a new covenant with his people – through the Messiah
      • The first covenant (with its priesthood and law) was inadequate and superseded by the superior new covenant – through Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . Components of the first covenant were merely a shadow of what was to come in the new covenant
      • Jesus Christ’s blood ratified the new covenant
      • The new covenant is everlasting
      • The new covenant is spiritual – of an internal nature and of the Holy Spirit
      • Under the new covenant God’s people know him and are forgiven
      • Other contrasting aspects of the new covenant with the old
   2. Jesus Christ as High Priest
      • Jesus Christ is the high priest of God’s people – representing them before God in the superior heavenly sanctuary
      • Jesus Christ was appointed by God as high priest forever, in the superior priestly order of Melchizedek
      • Previous sacrifices offered by priests were ultimately ineffective in dealing with sin . . .
      • . . . As high priest, Jesus Christ sacrificed for sin once and for all
      • As high priest, Jesus Christ continues to intercede for God’s people
      • Jesus Christ is a high priest who is perfect – but can still identify with his people’s humanity
   3. The Kingdom of God
      • The kingdom of God came in Jesus Christ’s mission
      • The kingdom of God will come in all its fullness in the future
      • The spiritual nature of the kingdom of God
      • The dynamism and power of the kingdom of God
      • The great cost of participating in the kingdom of God
      • Those who will enter the kingdom of God . . .
      • . . . Those to whom the kingdom of God belongs
      • Those who will not enter nor inherit the kingdom of God
      • Note: The kingdom of God is also the kingdom of Jesus Christ
   4. Jesus Christ as Lord of All
      • Following his death and resurrection, God exalted Jesus Christ to his right hand . . .
      • . . . and God made Jesus Christ Lord of all
      • God has given Jesus Christ authority and power over all things
      • God has entrusted everything to Jesus Christ – and made him heir of all things
      • Jesus Christ has power over all other powers
      • Jesus Christ’s power extends over death
      • In the end, all Jesus Christ’s enemies will be made his footstool – totally conquered

 ➜Major headings in: 14. The New Order (and all of Unit C)

Pray for persecuted Christians