Out with the Old
Out with the Old
1. Don’t Settle for Imitations
Hebrews 8 pauses to summarize a major theme that has been building throughout the book: Jesus is greater. He is greater than angels, Moses, Joshua, the sacrificial system, and the earthly priesthood.
Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not merely a High Priest from history. He is our High Priest right now. His ministry did not end at the cross or the empty tomb. He continues to reign and intercede on behalf of His people.
Jesus Ministers from Heaven
Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. This is the place of ultimate authority, honor, and power. Unlike earthly priests who served in temporary locations, Jesus ministers from the throne room of heaven itself.
Because Jesus is both King and Priest, He possesses the authority to save and the compassion to help. Through Him, believers have direct access to God and can approach Him with confidence.
The Difference Between Shadows and Reality
The tabernacle, temple, sacrifices, priesthood, and ceremonies of the Old Testament were real, but they were never the final destination. They pointed beyond themselves to a greater reality.
The earthly system was a copy and shadow of heavenly things. Every sacrifice pointed to a better sacrifice. Every priest pointed to a better priest. Every act of worship pointed to a greater reality found in Christ.
Why Settle for Less?
The original readers were tempted to return to familiar religious practices. Yet Hebrews asks a simple question: Why choose the shadow when the substance has arrived?
The same temptation exists today.
Some settle for church attendance without devotion to Christ.
Some settle for knowledge without transformation.
Some settle for singing without worship.
Some settle for outward activity without inward authenticity.
The danger is that imitations can feel convincing. A shadow resembles reality, but it is not reality. Followers of Christ are called to move beyond appearances and experience the fullness of life that Jesus provides.
2. Trade Up for Better Promises
Hebrews continues by emphasizing that Christ has established a better covenant.
The old covenant was not flawed because of God's design. It accomplished exactly what God intended. It revealed His holiness, exposed humanity’s inability to meet His standard, and pointed people toward their need for a Savior.
The Purpose of the Old Covenant
The law revealed what righteousness looked like.
The law established God's expectations.
The law showed people their inability to save themselves.
The law prepared the way for Christ.
The old covenant could provide information, but it could not produce transformation. It could expose sin, but it could not remove its power.
Better Promises Through Christ
Jesus mediates a better covenant because He provides what the old covenant could never fully accomplish.
The repeated message throughout Hebrews is that Jesus is better.
He offers a better hope.
He provides a better sacrifice.
He establishes a better covenant.
He secures better promises.
The fulfillment, purpose, and satisfaction people seek cannot ultimately be found in relationships, careers, achievements, or possessions. True fulfillment is found only through Christ.
One Plan, Two Parts
God did not abandon one plan and replace it with another. The old and new covenants are part of a single unfolding plan of redemption.
The old covenant prepared the way.
The new covenant fulfills what the old anticipated.
What God promised through the prophets finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
3. Accept the New Terms
Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31 to describe the blessings of the new covenant.
Unlike human contracts filled with complicated terms and conditions, God's covenant promises are clear and life-changing.
God Writes His Law on the Heart
Under the old covenant, God's law was written on stone tablets.
Under the new covenant, God's truth is written on human hearts.
The Christian life is no longer driven merely by external obligation. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God transforms believers from the inside out.
Obedience becomes the fruit of a changed heart.
Love becomes the motivation for following God.
Relationship replaces mere ritual.
Every Believer Can Know God
The new covenant provides direct access to God.
There is no need for a human priest to stand between God and His people because Jesus serves as the perfect and eternal High Priest.
Every believer can know God personally.
Age does not matter.
Status does not matter.
Education does not matter.
Past failures do not matter.
From the least to the greatest, all who belong to Christ can walk in fellowship with Him.
Complete Forgiveness Through Grace
The heart of the new covenant is found in God's promise:
"I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."
This forgiveness is not based on lowered standards. God's holiness has not changed.
The difference is that Jesus bore the penalty of sin on behalf of sinners.
Because Christ paid the debt, those who trust in Him stand forgiven.
God does not hold their sins against them because the judgment has already been satisfied through Christ.
Living in the New Covenant
When Christ established the new covenant, the old covenant fulfilled its purpose.
The shadow gave way to reality.
The temporary gave way to the eternal.
The invitation remains the same today:
Stop trying to earn God's favor.
Stop living in the shadows.
Embrace the grace Christ provides.
Live in the freedom of forgiveness.
Walk in a genuine relationship with God.
Out with the old. In with the new.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Greater Than
Sermon Title: Out with the Old
Date: June 14, 2026
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Hebrews 8:1-13
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