A Better Covenant | Part 1 | Duane Sheriff

A Better Covenant | Part 1 (Duane Sheriff)

Main theme

The Bible’s storyline is held together by covenants. Duane Sheriff outlines how God relates to humanity through a series of covenants that move the story from Eden to the new creation, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus — a “better covenant” with better promises.

“When God swears, He seals it with His holiness.” Covenants in Scripture are binding and unchangeable; they shape redemptive history.

Key theological points and practical takeaways

• The New Covenant, mediated by Jesus, is superior to the Mosaic law: it is built on better promises and makes the first covenant obsolete.
• Covenants are binding and unchangeable — covenantal commitments from God are sealed by His holiness and can only be broken by death.
• Believers enter the New Covenant by faith. The covenant is ultimately between the Father and the Son; we participate by faith, not by performance.
• “Fear of the Lord” means reverence and worship, not anxious terror. Those who fear God receive His “secrets” (insight and guidance) and are marked by godliness.
• Truth is tethered to godliness: discern truth partly by whether it aligns with godly character and life.
• Covenants give Christians confidence and steadiness amid cultural turmoil and fear — be steadfast, unshakable, and not driven by panic.
• A covenantal reading of Scripture explains redemption: Eden (creation covenant) → fall → progressive covenants that point to and accomplish redemption in Christ → new heaven/new earth (restored paradise).

The seven major covenants highlighted

1. Covenant of Creation (Genesis)
   • Establishes order in creation (day/night, seasons, seedtime/harvest) and the Sabbath/creation purposes.
2. Covenant with Adam
   • Includes the proto-evangelium: the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head (foreshadowing Christ).
3. Noahic Covenant
   • God’s promise never to flood the whole earth again; the rainbow is the sign.
4. Abrahamic (Abram) Covenant
   • God’s promise to Abraham and to his seed (ultimately fulfilled in Jesus); ratified by blood in the cutting-of-animals scene.
5. Mosaic (Law) Covenant
   • A conditional, national covenant with Israel given because of sin; includes blessings and curses.
6. Davidic Covenant
   • Promise of an enduring seed and throne; fulfilled in Jesus as the Son/Seed of David.
7. New Covenant
   • Established through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection; the law is written on hearts and mercy for sin is remembered no more.

Practical lifestyle and spiritual guidance

• Pursue a biblical worldview: interpret cultural issues through Scripture rather than solely through secular paradigms.
• Cultivate the fear of the Lord (reverence and worship) so God will reveal His ways to you.
• Live by the assurance of God’s covenants — don’t be paralyzed by fear (of disease, societal collapse, etc.).
• Embrace the New Covenant by faith; rely on God’s character (He cannot lie or fail) rather than your performance.
• Defend and uphold God’s created design (Sheriff emphasizes male/female marriage as rooted in the creation covenant).
• Be steadfast and prepared to witness: God keeps His promises and is working toward a final restoration.

Notable scriptures, places, and references

• Scriptures: Hebrews 8; Hebrews 6:18; Psalm 25:14; Psalm 89; Jeremiah 33; Genesis (creation, Eden); Mark 10; Titus 1.
• Places/events: Garden of Eden; Mount Sinai (Mosaic covenant); Noah’s Ark; Moses’ vision of the pattern of heavenly things.
• Speakers/references: Duane Sheriff (preacher); mentions Andrew Wommack (colleague/friend) and “Jacob” (future speaker).
• Overall emphasis: covenantal continuity from Genesis to Revelation and a call to faith, reverence, and steadiness under the New Covenant.