Embodied in Christ

Sermon on various scriptures - Lords Day August 31, 2025 - Trinity Reformed Church
Introduction:

The glory of God dwells in His temple the church. Covenants did not fail. The promises did not fail. They all culminate in Christ. Covenants were essentially a covenant of grace. So what is different or changed? It's not what is change it is what has been revealed in the progress of revelation. What has changed is our understanding. It has been brought to light in the gospel. The church is not supplanting the old covenants. The church is the culmination of the covenants.

1 - The people of God are those who are spiritually born not ethnically born. Romans 4. Abrahams seed are those of faith. Romans 9 the children of the promise. The spiritual nature is what is more clearly revealed in the new covenant.

2 - The church is not entirely a mystery. It's not entirely new it is made up of people whom He foreknew. He has bot forsaken the remnant. Romans 9 . There were a lot of unbelieving Israelites they were ethnically born but not spiritually born. The church is made up of Jews and Gentiles. They are now added or grafted in. Ephesians 2:11-13 The ceremonial and civil law can no longer separate the ethnic Jews and Gentiles. The church is made up of Jews and Gentiles who believe. By grace through faith. Galatians 3 - you are of Abraham's seed if you believe.

3 - The intention was it was always universal. It has been building, it was hinted at in OT. The intention was always going to be all nations. Genesis 17 - no longer Abram but Abraham father of many nations. Romans 4:16 - Romans 4:16 (NKJV) Therefore [it is] of faith that [it might be] according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

A father of many nations. Romans 4:17 (NKJV) (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

All peoples found in:

Isaiah 19:23-25 (NKJV) 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. 24 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria--a blessing in the midst of the land, 25 whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed [is] Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
The dividing aspects of the law ended and were abrogated. The civil and ceremonial ended. The Westminster deals with the civil law. The Heidelberg deals with this a little. The civil law has been done away with because He is removing the barrier of the nations. The bloody aspect has been removed. The new covenant in His blood. The once for all sacrifice is sufficient.

3 - Sacraments the sign remains.
Luke 22:20 - the new covenant in my blood. That was promised in Jeremiah 31:31 - the house of Israel (those who believe) - the passover sacrament ended. Jesus changed it into the Lords supper. Christ is the bloody sacrifice. He was the lamb whose blood was shed.
Jesus was cut off relating it to circumcision. God has removed all bloody signs. All that ended with Christ. Circumcision ended because Jesus replaced it or inaugurated the new covenant with the sign of baptism. Cutting off from sin. Jesus took our sin and was cut off. Baptism is a more universal sign. Washing and bathing. Not just males but females. Not just ethnic Israel but all who believe. A sign of the righteousness by faith.

Old signs looking forward New signs looking back. Same promises embodied in Christ I will be your God and you will be my people.

Jesus says I have others who are not of this flock. I will lay down my life for them I must bring them in. He sends His people saying go make disciples of all nations. Acts 1:8, 10 - He makes a point about receiving the gentiles "what I have called clean do not call unclean."

When He ascended He poured out His Spirit (Acts 2) and it branched out to all nations. Peter is preaching to mainly Jews. They were cut to the heart. Peter calls them to repent and be baptized. They baptized their children with them. Acts 2:38-39 - the Jews would assume to baptize their children. As their children would have been involved in the old covenant they would assume their children would be involved in the new. The heads of household would have brought their children. If baptism would have been forbidden the apostles would have forbidden it. With the Jews familiarity with the old covenant they would have brought their children. Not to save them but as a sign.

All through Acts we have covenant baptisms. We do have a command to baptize in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19 NASB1995

“Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Ephesians 2:11-13 NASB1995