Msg #2328 The Old Testament New Covenant

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

“Sixty-six books in the whole Bible, and I learned them all by heart” is a song we sang in junior church. If I listed the books here it would just be a cut and paste. My point is that Isaiah has sixty-six chapters, 39 in the old covenant, and 27 in the new covenant. That makes Isaiah chapter 40 the first chapter of the new covenant and marvelously it begins, “Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God” (Isa.40:1). In the new covenant, there was to be a comforter! And there is! He is with us forever! (John.14:16). In the new covenant there was to be, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the LORD” (Isa.40:3); John the Baptist did that! (Matt.3:3, Mark.1:3, Luke.3:4, John.1:6).

The voice cried “all flesh is grass… The spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it,… The grass withereth...” (Isa.40:6–8), and “the word was made flesh… And while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (John.1:14, Rom.5:8). Zion and Jerusalem, where to lift up their voice with strength, and bring good tidings (Isa.40:9); and the church is commissioned to preach that gospel to every creature (Matt.28:14–28, Mark.16:15, Luke.24:46–48, John.20:21, Acts.1:8).

In the new covenant “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isa.40:11). And for that “he gave some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph.4:11–12).

If you are in the new covenant by grace through faith,… make sure you have a pastor. And guys, if you are a pastor, make sure you are a shepherd.

An Essay for week #28 - Jul 9, 2023

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs230709.mp3

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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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