CommunionCommunion

A Celebration of CovenantA Celebration of Covenant

Rituals of a CovenantRituals of a Covenant

• 1) 1-3 large animals slain, laid end to end, 1) 1-3 large animals slain, laid end to end, to make the “way (walk) of blood”to make the “way (walk) of blood”

• 2) Reps walk to middle and exchange 2) Reps walk to middle and exchange coats.coats.– Usually the “head” of the family is the repUsually the “head” of the family is the rep– A mutual exchange of authority. “All I have A mutual exchange of authority. “All I have

& do is now yours”& do is now yours”

Rituals of Covenant cont’dRituals of Covenant cont’d

• 3) Reps walk again & exchange weapons3) Reps walk again & exchange weapons– ““My strength is now your strength. Your My strength is now your strength. Your

enemies are now my enemies”enemies are now my enemies”

• 4) Walk of blood 2x –to speak “the 4) Walk of blood 2x –to speak “the blessing” of covenant and the “curse” of blessing” of covenant and the “curse” of the covenantthe covenant– Blessing was a pledge of loyaltyBlessing was a pledge of loyalty– Curse was the penalty for breaking Curse was the penalty for breaking

cov/sworn by God as the third partycov/sworn by God as the third party

Rituals of Covenant cont’dRituals of Covenant cont’d

• 5) Cut of Covenant – hands & wrists cut and bound together – exchanging of blood and joining of names – a sign of oneness

• 6) Celebration of Covenant – meal of bread and wine – commitment of flesh & blood

• **The whole idea of covenant was NOT to take advantage of the other BUT to GIVE advantage to the other – each bringing something of significance to offer the other

A A newnew & & betterbetter covenant covenant

• Heb 7:22; 8:6 “…Jesus has become the Heb 7:22; 8:6 “…Jesus has become the guarantee of a new and better covenant…He is guarantee of a new and better covenant…He is also th mediator of a better covenant, enacted also th mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises…”on better promises…”

• New– The Lamb that was slain was the perfect, New– The Lamb that was slain was the perfect, flawless Son of God – His blood need only to be flawless Son of God – His blood need only to be shed ONCE for all. (Rom 6:10) shed ONCE for all. (Rom 6:10)

• Better – The Exchange is all in our favorBetter – The Exchange is all in our favor

The great exchange in our cov.The great exchange in our cov.

• Rom 5:10-We were enemies –Rom 5:10-We were enemies – Friends Friends• Rom 8:1-Condemnation - Rom 8:1-Condemnation - AcquittalAcquittal• Rom 3:24-Separated by sin – Rom 3:24-Separated by sin – JustifiedJustified• Rom 6:23-Eternal death – Rom 6:23-Eternal death – Eternal lifeEternal life• Rom 8:15-Bondage – Rom 8:15-Bondage – FreedomFreedom• Acts 9:34-Sickness & disease – Acts 9:34-Sickness & disease – HealthHealth• Rom 14:17-Griefs & sorrows – Rom 14:17-Griefs & sorrows – Consolation/joyConsolation/joy• Heb 11:34-WeakHeb 11:34-Weak – strong in His might – strong in His might

Our blood-sworn oath w/JesusOur blood-sworn oath w/Jesus

• We receive the promise paid by His bloodWe receive the promise paid by His blood

• We feed our spirits on His WordWe feed our spirits on His Word

• We take hold of the promise by faithWe take hold of the promise by faith

• Allow the blessing to manifest in our livesAllow the blessing to manifest in our lives

• Keep the command of loving God Keep the command of loving God

• Release the blessing to those around usRelease the blessing to those around us

• Declare the goodness of God to allDeclare the goodness of God to all

The encouragement….The encouragement….

• The new covenant does not depend on The new covenant does not depend on your ability to keep it. It depends of your ability to keep it. It depends of Jesus’ ability to keep it….and He is Jesus’ ability to keep it….and He is almighty God. He keeps His word.almighty God. He keeps His word.

• AND there is no curse associated with AND there is no curse associated with our covenant. Jesus became the curse for our covenant. Jesus became the curse for us – He paid the price for us and now we us – He paid the price for us and now we live in only blessing!live in only blessing!