Sermon: Israel to Christ to the Church

"Israel to Christ to the Church"

Exodus 19:1-6 and 1 Peter 2:4-9

November 23, 2025

Pastor Tony Felich

 

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Exodus 19:1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. [2] They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, [3] while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: [4] ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. [5] Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; [6] and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 
1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” [7] So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” [8] and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. [9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

Exodus 19 casts a grand vision of a priestly, holy people belonging to God.
1 Peter 2 shows that this vision has been fulfilled in Christ and now conferred on the Church—God’s redeemed people from every tribe and tongue.
  I. Israel as Shadow, Christ as Substance
 II. The Church as God’s Covenant People
III. Differences with dispensationalism (see below)

Application

How the Reformed View Differs from Dispensationalism
Reformed Covenantal Perspective
One people of God across both Testaments
Rooted in one covenant of grace, administered in various historical forms.
Christ as fulfillment, not plan B
Everything Israel was called to be becomes reality in Him.
The Church includes believing Jews and Gentiles
Gentiles are grafted into the same olive tree (Rom. 11).
The Church inherits Israel’s titles because of union with Christ.
Covenant theology sees the Church not as replacing Israel, but as Israel fulfilled and expanded in Christ.

Traditional Dispensational Perspective
Two distinct peoples of God
Israel (earthly people)
Church (heavenly people)
Different covenants and destinies
Israel retains national promises (land, political kingdom).
The Church is a distinct organism beginning at Pentecost.
1 Peter 2:9 applied typologically, not fulfillingly
The Church shares similar blessings but does not fulfill Israel’s identity.
Israel’s fulfillment is future, in a restored national kingdom during the millennium.
Dispensationalism emphasizes discontinuity, maintaining a strict distinction between Israel and the Church.