1. The Advance of the Kingdom Seeing the Sequence and Significance of the Biblical Story “His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.” ~ Daniel 4:3b ~

2. The Kingdom and the Covenant The Story of God’s Kingdom is revealed in the Bible through a series of “covenants” The Bible really is a covenant-book There are basically two major covenants that make up history: The Covenant of Creation and The Covenant of Salvation The Covenant of Salvation is progressively revealed in six stages—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus Christ

3. Definition of “Covenant” Basically: “a life-and-death relationship” –Child dedication this morning… –Marriage: “… ‘till death do us part…” Biblically: “a divinely-established, life-and- -death relationship” –God’s covenant is sovereign –God’s covenant is gracious –God’s covenant requires faith & obedience

4. The Biblical Story is a Covenant Story Genesis 17:7  “…I will establish My covenant…for an everlasting covenant…” Exodus 24:7  “…the book of the covenant” Numbers 10:33  “…the ark of the covenant” Psalm 136  “…for His steadfast love endures forever” Isaiah 55:3  “I will make an everlasting covenant with you…” Luke 22:20  “the new covenant in My blood…” Hebrews 13:20  “…the blood of the eternal covenant…”

5. The Progression of God’s Covenant The Covenant of Creation [pre-Fall] The Covenant of Salvation [post-Fall] –Adam [installation]………………….....the seed –Noah [preservation]………..…the greenhouse –Abraham [inauguration]…………..…the sprout –Moses [intensification]……………...…the stalk –David [coronation]…………………...the leaves –Christ [consummation]…………...the blossom

6. The Heart of the Covenant: Worship Genesis 17:7-8  “I will establish my covenant…to be God to you and to your descendants after you…and I will be their God.” Jeremiah 31:33  “…this is the covenant which I will make…I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Ezekiel 11:20  “…Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.” Matthew 1:23  “…call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’” Revelation 21:3  “… ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be their God,’”

7. SO WHAT? You were made for this… Sin destroyed and perverted this… Christ purchased and restored this… 1 Peter 3:18  “Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God”