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JEREMIAH 31: 33, 34

"THE NEW COVENANT"

Intro: Jeremiah was shut up in prison - the nation had failed to keep covenant with God and as
       a consequence was falling. God promised to establish a new covenant. The covenant
       establishes the basis of relationship with God.

I. GOD WOULD REVEAL HIS WILL TO THE HEART OF EVERY MAN.
        "I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS AND WRITE IT UPON THEIR HEARTS."
        A. The old covenant written on parchment and tables of stone.
                1. They then needed scribes to teach if in order to apply it to teach if in
                   variety of human circumstances.
                        a. Thus the Talmud comprises some 60 volumes.
                2. The purpose of the law was to express the will of God for an  individual's
                   life.
                        a. The question asked most often today is, "How can I know  the will
                           of God?"
        B. God said He would write it upon our hearts.
                1. Man is always seeking an external set of rules.
                2. I am to wait upon God in each situation, to receive guidance by the Holy
                   Spirit.

II. "FOR THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME."
        A. The knowledge of the will of God is the outcome of knowing God. 
                1. This is always God's order.
                        a. God is never revealed to man through the law.
                2. "From the least to the greatest."
                        a. Not from greatest to least.
                                "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou
                                 didst hide these things from the wise and understanding and
                                 did reveal them unto babes."
                        b. The knowledge of God not dependent upon vast intellectual genius.
                3. If we fear the will of God, it is because we do not know God.
        B. This knowledge of God comes to us through His Word.
                1. Jesus Christ came to reveal God to man.

III. "I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY AND REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE."
        A. The cleansing of my sin is what allows me to know God. 
                1. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." 
                2. As I know God and walk in fellowship with Him, He guides my life 
                        day by day in the varied situations.
        B. The old covenant failed because it depended upon man's faithfulness to God. The new
           covenant cannot fail because it depends upon God's faithfulness to man.