I hope you are finding the sermon series on the life of David helpful and encouraging. Last week we time-warped from David’s escape from the murderous hand of Saul to David’s ascension to the throne (II Samuel 6). This Sunday we will study about God’s covenant with David (II Samuel 7). (I invite you to read II Sam 7.1-17 before Sunday morning.) This passage is immensely significant in understanding God’s “Big Story” (the overall narrative of the Scripture). We will identify several places in the Davidic Covenant that make (ultimate) reference to Jesus.
Before Sunday’s sermon, I wanted to give you a little inspiration/motivation about why I chose this particular passage in our series on the life of David. Covenants are very important for understanding the Bible as a whole, and, more specifically, how the Old Testament points to Jesus. (Generally speaking, there are six “covenants” recorded in the Scripture. I’ll identify what they are on Sunday morning.)
Having a working appreciation of the biblical covenants is very important. Below are seven brief statements why covenants matter. (The order is not meant to indicate priority.) Covenants matter . . .
- because God chose to use covenant-relationships to make a people for Himself
- because God uses covenant language to shape what relationships with Him will look like
- because God reveals Himself through the covenants of the Bible
- because God initiates relationships with His creatures, and those relationships have expectations & promises
- because the entire Bible can be outlined by using the Covenants God has established each covenant serves as a stepping stone to the Cornerstone – follow the trail of covenants & find Jesus
- because covenants are how God has chosen to empower His gospel
- because covenants help us look to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of all of God’s covenants
By studying the covenants, believers have a greater understanding of who God is & why Jesus came to die. I am praying that Sunday’s sermon will help you rejoice to God for His covenants.
Pastor Gary