League City Church of Christ

August 16, 2026

Understanding the Covenants

John 1:17; Luke 24:25-27; Romans 15:4; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 7:18-19

In this sermon, the congregation is guided through a foundational study titled 'Understanding the Covenants,' which clarifies the distinction and harmony between the Old and New Testaments. The message emphasizes that the entire Bible is inspired Scripture, but God has interacted with humanity through distinct covenants over time. The Old Covenant, given through Moses exclusively to the nation of Israel, served a limited scope and duration, establishing moral boundaries and ceremonial laws designed to preserve a distinct people until the arrival of the Messiah.

Central to the lesson is the truth that Jesus Christ did not come to disregard the Old Testament Scriptures, but rather to fulfill them in His life, death, and resurrection. Animal sacrifices and Mosaic regulations could never provide ultimate salvation or cleanse sin fully; instead, they pointed forward to the true grace and perfect sacrifice found in Christ. As the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, Jesus established the New Covenant, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and bringing universal reconciliation through His blood.

Today, believers live under the law of Christ rather than the dietary laws, distinct Levitical priesthood, or ceremonial ordinances of the Old Covenant. Under this New Covenant, all Christians share direct access to God as a royal priesthood, with Christ as their ultimate High Priest. While the Old Testament is no longer our binding legal authority, it remains vital, God-breathed instruction that strengthens our faith, teaches us God's character, and continually points our hearts to Jesus.

Key takeaways

All Scripture is inspired by God, but it is organized into distinct covenants across redemptive history.
The Old Covenant was given specifically to Israel and was limited in both scope and duration.
Jesus did not abolish the Old Testament law, but fulfilled its ultimate purpose through His life and sacrifice.
Animal sacrifices under the Mosaic law pointed toward Christ, but could never fully take away sins.
Through Jesus Christ, God established a New Covenant of grace and truth for all humanity.
Christ broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, uniting all believers in one body.
Under the New Covenant, all believers are priests with direct access to God through Christ our High Priest.
Old Testament dietary laws and ceremonial ordinances are no longer binding on Christians today.
The entire Bible forms a single unified story that ultimately centers on and points to Jesus Christ.
We study the Old Testament for instruction, encouragement, and hope, while living under the law of Christ.

Day 1Hebrews 7:18-19; Jeremiah 31:31-34
Shadows Pointing to Substance
When we read through the Old Testament, we encounter God's covenant with Israel delivered through Moses. This covenant was sacred and revealed God’s righteous standard, yet scripture reminds us that it was never designed to be the final chapter of human redemption. The sacrifices under the law anticipated a greater reality but could not permanently take away sin or cleanse the human conscience. God promised through the prophet Jeremiah that a day was coming when He would inaugurate a new covenant, written directly upon the heart and rooted in enduring forgiveness. In Jesus Christ, that long-awaited promise became reality. The old covenant served as a faithful guardian, showing our deep need for divine grace and preparing the world for the arrival of the Savior. Today, we rest not in our own ability to uphold a legal system, but in the perfect work of Christ who established a better hope for all people.
Reflect
How does recognizing the limitations of the Old Law help you appreciate the fullness of grace given in Christ?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for fulfilling Your ancient promises and drawing me near through the gracious covenant of Your Son.
Day 2Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27
Fulfilled in Christ
Jesus made it clear that His mission was not to cast aside the ancient scriptures, but to bring them to their intended fulfillment. From the historical writings of Moses to the prophetic utterances, the grand narrative of the Hebrew Bible points relentlessly toward the Messiah. When Jesus walked with His disciples on the road to Emmaus, He opened their eyes to see how His suffering, death, and resurrection were woven through every sacred page. Every sacrificial lamb, every priestly duty, and every prophetic vision finds its ultimate meaning and resolution in Jesus. We do not look at the Bible as a collection of disconnected stories or conflicting ideas, but as a unified divine tapestry testifying to the redemption wrought by the Son of God. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the entire scriptural story comes into brilliant clarity, inviting us to trust Him with our whole lives.
Reflect
In what ways can you read the Old Testament scriptures today with an eye toward discovering more about Jesus?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, open my understanding so that I may see Your presence and redeeming love throughout all of Holy Scripture.
Day 3Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9
Royal Priests with Bold Access
Under the Mosaic covenant, ordinary worshippers were kept at a distance from the holy place, relying upon a designated line of priests to offer sacrifices and intercede on their behalf. But when Jesus offered Himself as the spotless sacrifice on the cross, the veil was torn and a new era of access began. Through the new covenant, Jesus serves as our eternal and empathetic High Priest, granting every believer direct and unhindered access to the throne of grace. We no longer require an earthly mediator to approach our Creator. Scripture declares that the entire church is a royal priesthood, called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, prayer, and loving service. This remarkable privilege brings freedom from fear and guilt, inviting us to come boldly before God with every burden, question, and heartfelt joy, knowing our Savior stands ready to supply the mercy and help we need.
Reflect
How does knowing that you have direct access to God through Christ change how you approach personal prayer each day?
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank You for tearing down the barrier and allowing me to come freely into Your presence through Jesus, my High Priest.
Day 4Ephesians 2:13-16
Tearing Down the Dividing Wall
In ancient times, the ceremonial law stood like an impassable barrier separating Israel from the surrounding nations. While this boundary served God's historical purpose of preserving the lineage of the Messiah, God's ultimate plan was always to bless all families of the earth. In Jesus Christ, that dividing wall of hostility has been broken down permanently. By His blood, those who were once considered far off have been brought near into one family of faith. The gospel establishes a new community where cultural, ethnic, and social divisions no longer dictate our standing before God. In Christ, we are reconciled both to God and to one another. Embracing this truth calls us to live in deep harmony, rejecting prejudice and displaying the supernatural peace that Jesus won on Calvary. Our unity in the local church serves as a living testimony to the power of the cross to unite divided hearts.
Reflect
Are there any barriers or attitudes in your heart that hinder genuine unity with brothers and sisters in Christ?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for reconciling all believers in Jesus; teach me to love my brothers and sisters with the peace and unity of the cross.
Day 5Romans 15:4; Psalm 42:1-2
Instruction, Endurance, and Hope
Even though we are not under the legal system of the Old Testament, the former scriptures remain vital for our spiritual life. The apostle Paul reminds us that the things written in earlier times were recorded for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might hold firmly to hope. When we read the honest struggles, prayers of longing, and steadfast faith of past generations, our own trust in God is fortified. The psalmist’s deep thirst for the living God mirrors the spiritual longing we feel in times of trial and uncertainty. By observing how the Lord remained faithful to His people through centuries of wandering, exile, and restoration, we gain confidence that He will remain faithful to us today. Let us regularly immerse ourselves in the full counsel of God’s Word, letting its ancient lessons shape our character and ignite steadfast hope.
Reflect
Which story or psalm from the Old Testament has brought the most encouragement to your faith during difficult seasons?
Prayer
Faithful God, grant me endurance and hope as I learn from Your Word, and give me a heart that continuously thirsts for You.

Open together

1.What comes to mind when you hear the word 'covenant' or 'testament,' and how does that compare to everyday agreements or contracts?
2.When you read through the Old Testament, what parts do you find most encouraging, and what parts do you find most challenging to understand?

Observation

1.According to the sermon, to whom was the Old Covenant specifically given, and what was its designated duration?
2.What did Jesus teach in Luke 24 and Matthew 5 concerning His relationship to the Law and the Prophets?
3.How did the preacher contrast the role of Moses with the role of Jesus Christ using John 1:17 and Hebrews 7:18–19?
4.According to Romans 15:4, what ongoing purpose do the Old Testament Scriptures have for believers today?
5.How does Ephesians 2:13–14 describe the impact of Christ's sacrifice on the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile?

Interpretation

1.What does it mean that Jesus came to 'fulfill' the Old Testament Scriptures rather than simply abolish them?
2.In what way was the Old Covenant unable to bring perfection or provide ultimate salvation, making the New Covenant necessary?
3.How does the New Testament concept of the 'priesthood of all believers' alter our understanding of access to God compared to Israel's system?
4.How does viewing the entire Bible as a unified story pointing to Christ help us read the Old Testament rightly?
5.What errors or misunderstandings can arise when Christians either completely disregard the Old Testament or attempt to live under its specific ceremonial laws?

Application

1.How does knowing that you have direct access to God as part of the priesthood of believers change your daily prayer life?
2.In what ways can you actively use the examples and lessons of the Old Testament to build your personal endurance and hope this week?
3.Christ broke down the dividing wall between different groups; how can we reflect that unity in our local church community and relationships?
4.Where might you be tempted to rely on rule-keeping or personal effort rather than resting in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ?

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