The New Covenant

The New Covenant (Part 1)

Christ, the substance of the New Covenant,

Isaiah 42:6

“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,

Isaiah 49:8

 Thus says the Lord:

“In an acceptable time I have heard You,
And in the day of salvation I have helped You;
I will preserve You and give You
As a covenant to the people,
To restore the earth,
To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;

Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant,

Hebrews 8:6

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Hebrews 9:15

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 12:24

to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

The Messenger of the New Covenant,

Malachi 3:1

“Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

God's making of the New Covenant,

Jeremiah 31:31-33,

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,[a] says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Romans 11:27

For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.

Hebrews 8:13

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

(Source: The MacArthur Topical Bible, John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson. NKJV)

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Saturday Outreach - Burbank

May 7

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV)

The competition for attention is legion. The good weather brings out the performers, as well as the listeners.

Meanwhile, Jack, Chris and Steve M. were busy witnessing to those on the Mall who were heading to see movies or to grab a bite to eat. Our new friend, Arno, was there with his powerful amp playing back recordings of preachers from Grace's evangelism team. This brother is very faithful to be out there and it will be very interesting to see what the response is to this approach. He has tracts available, and he sits quietly with his sign, as the gospel goes forth from the amp. 

Arno has always been very gracious to coordinate with us so that we are not competing for listeners. This is important because his amp is much more powerful than ours.

We were very encouraged by the young man seen here. He was passionate for the gospel and had many questions about doctrine and theology. He certainly came to the right person! (Another of countless divine appointments arranged by our gracious God.)

Dean usually bats clean-up, graciously presenting the gospel in his passionate, accessible way.

As the first unit packed up and headed back to the Mall, we were excited to find that an instant crowd had formed while waiting for the 9:00 showing of the new movie: "Captain America: Civil War." Jack was busy on the box, taking advantage of the opportunity. Although it appears that no one was listening, we know that some were prompted to came up to get bibles. Glory to God!

May 14

Elder Jim and his wife Kristen stopped by to encourage the team. 

Tracts do get read.

People do listen.

Our friend Arno had his first encounter with Roger. We were just leaving and we were tempted to go over and help him out, but we figured Arno, having sat under the teaching of Grace Church, was well equipped to see through Roger's false beliefs. Besides we did not want to intrude on his "trial by fire." ;-)

May 21

If there aren't any pictures does it mean that it didn't happen?

Actually, three brave men met to share the gospel in Burbank. While others on the team were out of commission due to illness, family matters or other commitments, Mark, Jack and Dean faithfully took to the streets to pass out tracts and proclaim the Word of God.

May 28 - Glendale

Our regular team was joined by sister Ruth and our friend Earnest. The Glendale outreach is always like a refreshing stream of living water, many stop to drink of it. Many hearts are open to the glorious gospel.

Sister Ruth was setting the pace, and she taught us all a lesson in courage as she boldly approached people to share the gospel.

There is a steady supply of new ears to hear the gospel in the flow of foot traffic.

The arrival of emergency equipment always offers an object lesson on the uncertainty of tomorrow and the need to turn to Christ while we still have breath and life.

Later on we were pleasantly surprised to be joined by brother Vinny. Curiously, many pedestrians hurry past the preaching when Vinny starts listing out the sins of modern man.

This is a curious fellow. In a previous conversation, and again this evening, he identified himself to us as the "third angel." In fact when asked for his name he claimed that it was "Apocalypse." He stood for several minutes listening intently to Vinny's preaching. "There are signs everywhere," he said. "Amen," I replied. "And it will spring like a trap upon the unsuspecting," he added. He encouraged us and agreed wholeheartedly with the preacher. And then he left, disappearing into the crowd crossing the street.

Later I checked the scripture and found three references, in Revelation, to a "third angel." (Rev. 8:10-11, 14:9-11, 16:4-6) Each time it is in reference to a specific judgment of the Lord.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20 NKJV)

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Morning Shift - NoHo Metro Station  

May 18

Back on the box after a few weeks absence, Paul and Steve took turns sharing the Gospel.

The pigeons are always ready to receive.

The people, not so much so.

The Wednesday morning outreaches have been irregular this year. Please let Steve know if you feel called to be placed on the list for text announcements on Tuesday evenings for Wednesday mornings at 6:00 AM at the North Hollywood Metro Station on Lankershim Blvd. It's a great opportunity to share the truth with the thousands of commuters who pass through this area.

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Dean's Team - Thursdays at NoHo station

May 19

It seems that all roads lead to NoHo, and brother Dean has been welcoming fellow evangelists to this Thursday night outreach for at least 8 years now. It's a great opportunity to get one's feet wet in the "Jordan River," evangelistically speaking.

Brother Armando is one of several spanish speakers who faithfully join in proclaiming God's word.

Brother Alex preaches in Spanish and English, but his passion is one to one witness. Here he is presenting the gospel to some Jehovah's Witnesses.

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Abortuary Duty - Mission Hills  

May 14

This Saturday morning was a study in extremes.

One man was broken with sorrow over the murder of his child that was about to take place in the building. Don gently consoled him and encouraged him to go in the clinic and plead with her to get a sonogram at the free clinic across the street. We prayed with him and he went back into the building.

The other man was a combative blasphemer who hatefully issued threats to each man on the team. Both men, it seems were bothered by their consciences.

The man who was broken managed to persuade his girlfriend to come out of the clinic, though he suffered much verbal abuse from her. He reported that she made an appointment for the following Wednesday, but we never saw them return.

You can join the effort at the Mission Hills clinic, 10200 Sepulveda Blvd., 91345, every Saturday and Wednesday morning from 8 to 10 am. No experience necessary.

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This is the blasphemous and man-centered version of the Ten Commandments that is "proudly" displayed outside of an area church. With doctrines like this, where will people go to find the Gospel? (Click on the image to see larger view.)

Please join us as we proclaim the glorious Gospel to a lost and dying world on the streets of Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood and beyond. And please pray for our ministry, our Calvary Bible Church body, and our Nation.

Maranatha!!