The Big Picture Covenants of Promise

~ Alister McGrath, Surprised by Meaning, Conclusion “The Christian way of seeing things makes cognitive and existential sense of reality, offering us a powerful, persuasive, and attractive account of ourselves and our universe. Christianity does not simply make sense to us; it also makes sense of us. It positions us in the great narrative of cosmic history and locates us on a mental map of meaning. It offers us another way of seeing things, offers us another way of living, and invites us to share these.” ~ Alister McGrath, Surprised by Meaning, Conclusion

~ Stanley Hauerwas & William Willimon, Resident Aliens, ch. 5 “Christian ethics is about following this Jew from Nazareth, being a part of his people. Therefore, this ethics will probably not make much sense unless one knows that story, sees that vision, is part of that people. … It is not something that comes naturally. It can only be learned.” ~ Stanley Hauerwas & William Willimon, Resident Aliens, ch. 5

The Covenants Watch & Discuss

Covenants of Promise OT (2Co 1:20) (Eph 1:3) Adam Hos 6:7 1Co 15:45 Col 3:9-11 Noah Gen 6:18 1Pe 3:18-22 2Pe 2:5, 9 Abraham Gen 12:1-3 Gal 3:16 Gal 3:7 Israel Exo 19:5-6 Mat 5:17-18 1Pe 2:9-10 David 2Sa 7:12-13 Rev 5:5 Rom 8:16-17 “… you were at that time … strangers to the covenants of promise …. But now in Christ Jesus you … have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace” (Eph 2:12-14).

Covenants of Promise God always takes the initiative, electing and calling by grace (Rom 11:29). Individuals are called into covenant with God to a life of faith and fidelity (Rom 4). Election is individual and collective (Eph 1:3-4). Covenant history is your history (Heb 8:8-12).

– Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ 1-2 “God initiates the covenant relationship in calling a people; God rules in the affairs of human beings for the redemptive purpose of saving a people; God anoints (selects and empowers) his chosen representatives to lead his people; and God’s goal is to build a community of people who acknowledge him as their God.” – Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ 1-2

Three Big Questions How is God revealing himself? How does this make sense of us? Where do you stand in this story?

The Big Picture Covenants of Promise