The Mediator of the New Covenant
A Sermon on Hebrews 12:18-24
Scripture
18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken …
Sermon Description
Why are Christians miserable? Where might the believer turn when cast down with guilt? In this sermon on Hebrews 12:18–24 titled “The Mediator of the New Covenant,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines this question by pointing to the testimony of Jesus’s blood. The Christians in the book of Hebrews were dejected and disappointed. They have come to this great salvation, yet have been met with suffering and loss. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that it was for this reason that this letter to the Hebrews was written. The writer knew that their fight was not merely against flesh and blood, but spiritual in nature. The devil uses these moments to attack God’s people. Satan is the accuser and he speaks against the Christian. In this suffering, it seems God may be against His people. Should they expect their sin-guilt to remain? To what does the Christian plead when attacked by Satan? As the devil accuses, how can the Christian answer? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones lifts up the blood of Christ, declaring that the throne of judgement has become a throne of grace. The saints in Hebrews overcame the devil through the testimony of the blood of Christ. The Christian today must point to the blood of Christ that silences the devil. As a result, nothing is able to separate the Christian from the love of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The author of Hebrews is addressing Christians who have become unhappy and discouraged in their faith.
- The author argues that they have lost sight of the glory and sufficiency of Christ's salvation.
- The author contrasts the old covenant of law with the new covenant of grace through Jesus.
- The author says we have come not to Mount Sinai of law but to Mount Zion of grace.
- The blood of Jesus speaks better things than the blood of Abel which cried out for vengeance.
- The blood of Jesus proclaims God's love, Christ's love, and our free justification.
- The new covenant is one of mercy, grace, and free forgiveness through faith in Christ.
- The new covenant means we can know God, have access to Him, and find grace to help in time of need.
- The new covenant means we have come to the heavenly Jerusalem and countless angels.
- The blood of Jesus answers the accusations of conscience, the law, and the devil.
- Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ displayed by His shed blood.
- We must listen to the speaking of Jesus's blood to have joy, confidence, and victory.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.