1. Covenant
Lesson 11

2. Old and New Contrasted Old Covenant New Covenant Letters on stone
Servants of the letter
Came with glory that faded
Killed
Condemns
Hearts are covered with a veil
Letters on human heart
Servants of the Spirit
Came with abounding glory
Brings life
Brings righteousness
Veil is taken away and we see clearly

3. Galatians 3:1-18 Spirit is revealed by faith, not works of the Law
Abraham was righteous before the Law was given
Those who have faith, as he did, are God’s children
Abraham didn’t keep the Law; he didn’t have the Law
The Law brings a curse
No one is justified by the Law
The Abrahamic Covenant blessed the Gentiles with salvation
The Law did not do away with the Abrahamic Covenant.
The Law did not nullify the promises

4. Galatians 3:19-29 Law’s purpose: To define transgressions
Didn’t give life: only the Spirit does that
“Kept” those who would listen to it
“Phroureo”: A sentinel; a guard, to watch or keep, providing protection against the enemy, blocking up every way of escape as in a siege.
Faith in Christ is the way to God and His righteousness. The Law pointed to the need for a Savior.
No distinction: All are heirs of the promise

5. Galatians 4:1-11 Illustration of a slave and a child who is an heir
Both, as children, are kept under guardians and managers
The Law kept in bondage, but when the Father sent His Son, the difference was made clear
The Spirit makes believers His children
Vs. 9 “How is it that you turn back again?”
If one claiming to be saved goes back under the Law, returns to the Old Covenant, then that one was never part of the New Covenant – he was never really saved.

6. Galatians 4:12-31 Where is the blessing you had?
Allegory: Bondwoman and the Freewoman
Free woman: Sarah Son: Isaac
Bond woman: Hagar Son: Ishmael
Hagar represented the present Jerusalem in legalism
Sarah represented the Jerusalem above: freedom of the New Covenant
There are more in bondage than free (vs. 27)
The children of the promise are true believers
Cast out the bondwoman of legalism
Live by the Spirit

7. How do we live by the Spirit?
“Living by the Spirit is a life of obedience, with the witness from within of a good conscience, and from above of God’s pleasure. The Holy Spirit is to be the unceasing, universal, all-sufficient worker of everything that has to be wrought by the Christian.” Andrew Murray
Last use of the word “Covenant”: Heb. 13:20-21
“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”