I. Better GUARANTEE (Hebrews 7:22).

• The oath in the order of Melchizedek (verse 21)
  • A guarantee is a deposit, a bail, something given as a pledge of fulfillment.
  • Faith is a guarantee. The throne of Jesus Christ is backing every promise in the new covenant.

II. Better COVENANT

• Two types of covenant
  • Diatheke-"a one-sided covenant"
  • Suntheke-"a negotiated covenant"
• Faith is a done deal.
  • The secret of faith is an understanding of covenant. It is signed, sealed, and delivered.
  • Jesus initiated the new covenant at the cross. That's why we have the Lord's Supper; it is a reminder of our guarantee (Hebrews 7:24–25).

III. Better PROMISES (Hebrews 8:6)

FIRST promise: OBEDIENCE (verse 10)

• The Law of Moses could declare God's holy standard, but it could never provide the power needed for obedience.
• We have power to obey. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16). If we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law (Galatians 5:18).

SECOND promise: INTIMACY (verse 11)

• In the new covenant, the Holy Spirit personally teaches every believer.
• An average new covenant believer can receive revelation from the Holy Spirit about the Bible, and He can speak to the individual intimately.

THIRD promise: FORGIVENESS

• In the old covenant, sin was simply covered. Men had to offer the blood of an animal to cover their sins. They were always reminded of their sins. Their consciences were never completely cleansed.
• In the new covenant, God guarantees that our forgiveness is total and complete. Human beings say, "I will forgive, but I will not forget." God, however, promises to forget our sins. He will never recall His pardon of our past sins.