Promise of a
New Covenant
Lesson Scripture: Jeremiah 31:27-34
By the end of this lesson, we will
♦Understand the provisions of the new covenant and
what distinguishes it from the other covenants.
♦Realize that the new covenant involves an internal
ization of God’s truths.
♦Know the necessity to obey biblical truths not mere
ly externally for man to see, but internally (from the
heart) where God sees.
Background: The time is 587 B.C. and the place is
Jerusalem. Jeremiah was called as a prophet at a young
age and served as prophet for 50 years. Throughout those
years, he spoke of the fall of Judah to the Babylonians
because of their disobedience and idolatry. He encour
aged the people of Judah to surrender to the Babylonians
because they were God’s instrument of judgment against
their sins. But, Jeremiah also prophesies of a return to
the Promised Land in Chapter 31. Jeremiah’s prophecy
speaks into the future.
Lesson: The first 26 verses of Chapter 31 deal with
Israel’s mourning being turned to joy. Read in particular
verse 20. We begin with God’s telling of the coming of
a new covenant. First recounting how He had watched
over Israel during their times of sin and affliction, He
promises now to watch over them also as they rebuild,
repopulate and restore the prosperity of Israel (verses 27
28). The old proverb of children bearing the burdens of
the sins of their fathers will no longer be in effect. In the
future that Jeremiah is prophesying every person would
pay for his or her own sinful ways. A person’s sin would
be his own responsibility (verse 29-30). (Generational
curses?)
Restoration through a new covenant is discussed in
verses 31-34. God points out that all previous covenants
He had made with Israel had been broken, by them. Even
as He loved Israel as a husband loves a wife, they con
tinually broke covenants. There was no faithfulness on
Israel’s part. So there is a need for a new kind of
covenant. God promises a new covenant with spiritual,
divine dynamics by which those who know Him would
participate in blessings of salvation. This promise was to
individuals as well as the nation of Israel. No more,
habitually following rules of a covenant written on
tablets of stone. The new covenant would be written on
the hearts of people. Obedience to this covenant comes
from the inside, not the outside, causing a change in atti
tude and proximity, and will be for everyone, from the
least among us to the greatest. Everyone will have an
equal opportunity and responsibility to know and love
God, “For they shall all know me ... for I will forgive
their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more”
(verse 34). This prophecy is now completely fulfilled in
Jesus Christ for all generations. Through Him we have
forgiveness and the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit
dwelling inside us. (The Mac Arthur Study Bible, UMI,
UGP, Standard Lesson Commentary, the Oxford Bible
Commentary)
For Your Consideration: When confronted with
sins, what is your reaction? How can our relationship
with God be restored or improved so that we live pleas
ing to Him? How do we focus less on rules and more on
hearts and attitudes?
Life’s Application: Obedience to God is obedience
in the heart made for outward expressions of obedience.
What’s in the heart is what should be on display.
Speaking or talking to people using religious tones is not
necessarily what identifies us as holy or Christian. If the
outward expression is not reflective of the heart, we only
fool people.
“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart”
(1 Samuel 16:7b).
Ministers’ Conference seeking
more volunteers for return trip
to Houston
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY
THE CHRONICLE
In late September, volunteers
from Winston-Salem headed down to
the Houston area on a mission trip to
assist in the recovery of the victims
of Hurricane Harvey. On the first day
of December, another round of vol
unteers will head back to Houston to
continue the relief efforts for what
they call “Project Rebuild Houston.”
The trip is once again a collabora
tive effort of the Ministers’
Conference of Winston-Salem and
Vicinity, led by Rev; Dr. Lamonte
Williams; the city of Winston-Salem;
Mayor Allen Joines; Love Out Loud;
and Wake Forest Baptist Health.
During the first trip to Houston,
the volunteers met an elderly woman
Dr. Williams
named Mrs. Whitfield who showed
tremendous strength and faith even
though she lost most of her posses
sions in the flood. Her resolve was so
impactful, on the return trip home a
decision was made to go back to
Houston to help her rebuild.
“On the return trip we had every
one speak about why they came on
the trip and secondly what they
learned,” said Williams. “From those
two questions everyone had a unani
mous theme, that they were glad they
went to give a positive impact on the
citizens there but what we found was
that it equally impacted the volun
teers.”
“There was still this unresolved
feeling because the group felt that
they wanted to return to Houston to
do a project to bring closure to the
efforts we went there to do,” he con
tinued. “We got the chance to meet
Mrs. Whitfield and her story was
more resounding than the rest. The
group felt like we needed to go back
See Houston on B6
Burkhead United Methodist Church expected over 500 people to come out to their annual barbecue
fundraiser last week.
Church attracts
community with
BBQ fundraiser
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY
THE CHRONICLE
When a church goes
beyond the walls to include
the community in activities
is always a good) thing. For
Burkhead United
Methodist Church, 5250
Silas Creek Parkway,
involving the community is
what they do. On Saturday,
Nov. 4 they held their
annual Port-A-Pit Chicken
barbecue fundraiser.
Along with having the
barbecue chicken the
church also brought in arts
and crafts vendors as well
as baked goods for the vis
itors to purchase. The local
fire department also came
See BBQ on B6
Photo by Timothy Ramsey
Burkhead United Methodist Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Carl Manuel Jr., center,
stands with event organizers Beth Dixon, left, and Becky Arnott.
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Now-Dec, 16
The Annual Bake Sale at St. Janies A JVIJE. Church will
be through Dec. 16. Homemade sweet potato pies from VJK.
Bakery will be available. For more information, call 336-724
3865. St. James is located at 1501 N. Patterson Ave. at the cor
ner of 15th Street. The pastor is the Rev. Dr. Steven L. Lyons.
United Holy Church will be celebrating
ns for his eight years of ministry. The
start on Nov. 5. Hie remaining schedule
5r. Cardes Brown Jr., New Light Baptist
Daryl Napper Sr., Fust Baptist Church,
>egin nighty with devotion starting at 7
@ llarn. - Dr. James Roberson, New
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Macon, NC
♦Sunday Nov. 12 @ 4 p.m. - Bishop Greg Hargrave,
Gospel Tabernacle United Holy Church, Burlington
For transportation, call Deacon James Williams at 336
986-1305.
Now-Nov. 12
Women's Day celebration
The women of Shiloh Baptist Church will celebrate their
81st annual Women’s Day, Nov. 8-12. The theme is, “No
Matter What You’ve Done...” Romans 5:1-5. Guest speakers
and program events include weeknight services beginning
Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7 pun. with Evangelist Shirley Gaither
of True Temple Church of God; Nov. 9 at 7 pm, with Rev.
Beverly Hicks-Alexander, and on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 pm.
praising God through laughter, with “Comedy Night at
Shiloh,” featuring Christian comedians T-Roy from
Burlington, and Mother Zelma from Charlotte. Worship servic
es on Sunday, Nov. 12, will begin at 8:30 am. with the Rev.
Beverly Hicks-Alexander and at 10:45 am. with the Rev. Erica
Smith-lngram. Dr. Paul A. Lowe Jr. is pastor and Darla H.
Woodruff is Women's Ministry president.
Nov. 10
Veterans Day recognition
The Winston-Salem Urban League, 201 W. Fifth St., will
recognize Whole Man Ministries, Veterans Helping Veterans
Heal, HARRY Veterans Community Outreach Services,
National Association of Black Veterans and Goodwill’s
Operation Good Jobs for their services to the veteran popula
tion on Nov. 10 from 11 aan. to 2 p.m.
Nov, 11 ' {j
Veterans Day appreciation
Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1301 CE. Gray Drive,
Winston-Salem, will sponsor its annual Veterans Day
Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 11,10 a.m. to noon to say Thank
You to the veterans. The church invites the public to come out
and honor those veterans who served our country. Dr. Charles
E. Gray is host pastor. I
Nov. 11
“Grief Care”
See Ret. Cal. on B8
V