Understanding “Covenant” Christians are part of the New Covenant How am I included in this covenant? I was not alive when the covenant was made.

Introduction Ephesians 2:4-7 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Introduction In Him, In Christ, together with Him, seated with Him, raised with Him, walk in Him, abide in Him How can I be in Christ? To answer this question we must look at the subject of covenants Let's look at the covenant of David and Jonathan in the Old Testament. This story is spread from 1 Samuel 15 – 2 Samuel 9

Characters in this story Saul – king in rebellion to God – 1 Samuel 15 Jonathan – son of Saul, heir to the throne David – shepherd boy, son of Jesse  Anointed to be the next king – 1 Samuel 16  Killed Goliath – 1 Samuel 17  Began to live in Saul's house – 1 Samuel 18:2

Facts of the story 1 st covenant – 1 Samuel 18:3-4 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. 2 nd covenant – 1 Samuel 20 Saul hates David – Is it safe to come back?

Facts of the story 2 nd covenant – 1 Samuel 20: And you shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live, that I may not die; 15 but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the Lord has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "Let the Lord require it at the hand of David's enemies."

Facts of the story 2 nd covenant – 1 Samuel 20:42 Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, 'May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.' " So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

Facts of the story 3 rd covenant – 1 Samuel 23: Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that." 18 So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.

Rest of the story Saul and his sons (including Jonathan) die in battle – 1 Samuel 23 David is anointed king – 2 Samuel 2:4 Meet Mephibosheth – 2 Samuel 4:4 Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

Rest of the story Meet Mephibosheth Son of Jonathan – should be king – rightful heir to the throne Now living in Lo Debar Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" 2 Samuel 9:1

Rest of the story Meet Mephibosheth So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually." 2 Samuel 9:7 Then he bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?" 2 Samuel 9:8

Rest of the story 9 And the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given to your master's son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10 You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master's son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread at my table always." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 2 Samuel 9:9-10

Learn this Lesson Mephiboseth did not make a deal - not even born when the covenant was made Not earned, not deserved Mephiboseth was IN Jonathan You and I have a choice  Accept the terms of the covenant  Reject the covenant

Learn this Lesson God has made an offer – you are invited to eat at the King's table All the land of God is yours You can live with God in His house – heaven WILL YOU ACCEPT OR REJECT THE OFFER?