Keys to Covenant Blessing
A History of Christ and His Church
September 6, 2026
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
Exodus 24 depicts the Mosaic covenant confirmed by a blood ceremony and the people's vow to obey God's word—pointing to a greater, final covenant in Christ whose shed blood truly atones, empowers faithful obedience, and invites believers into God's presence and fellowship.
Summary
The sermon anchors Christ and the church in the Old Testament by examining Exodus 24, where the Mosaic covenant is ceremonially confirmed with blood and the people's unified vow to obey God's statutes. It distinguishes covenants of works and grace, emphasizes that the covenant bond is God's pledged presence and faithfulness, and insists that obedience to God's word—understood not as mere burden but as life—is how God's people live fruitfully. The blood rite foreshadows the superior work of Christ: whereas Old Testament sacrifices could not finally expunge sin, Jesus' blood truly atones, ending the sacrifices and priesthood and inaugurating a better covenant. The Lord's supper and fellowship flow from that reality, and salvation and covenant membership come by trusting Christ; obedience thereafter is empowered by the covenantal blood and bears witness to God's rule in the world.
Key Points
- The history of Christ and his church is rooted in the Old Testament; Exodus 24 focuses on the Mosaic covenant.
- Biblical covenants include covenant of works and covenant of grace; Exodus 24 is a covenant of grace confirmed ceremonially.
- The covenant bond is God's pledge of presence and faithfulness to his people.
- Exodus 24 centers on a blood ceremony: rules were given earlier, this is the oath-taking that ratifies the covenant.
- The people verbally commit to obey God's words: "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do."
- Obedience to God's law is necessary for fruitful life but does not determine our standing or salvation; it should not be treated merely as a burden.
- The blood on the altar and sprinkled on the people symbolizes God’s obligations and brings the people into fellowship with him (prefiguring the Lord’s Supper).
- The Mosaic covenant was real but a shadow; Christ’s blood truly expiates sin, ends the old sacrifices and priesthood, and establishes a better covenant.
- Entrance into the new covenant is by trusting Jesus; the supper and fellowship are for those who belong to Christ.
- When God's people obey in covenant power, it impacts the world by reflecting God’s rule and presence.
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