Tag: Christian Life

Leviticus 11-17: The Need To Be Clean

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(11-15) In these chapters, God gives the people of Israel laws about what is clean and unclean.  What reasons are given for these laws, and how might we apply these principles to our lives today?

11:44-45 (I Peter 1:14-16, 2:11-12) –

 11:46-47 (Philippians 1:9-11, II Corinthians 7:1) –

15:31 (I Corinthians 6:18-20) –

(11-15) If a person touched someone unclean, then that person would also become unclean.  But what happened when Jesus touched (or was touched by) an unclean person (Mark 1:40-42, 5:25-34)?  What does this tell you about Jesus?

(11-15) According to Jesus, do these clean/unclean laws apply to us today (Mark 7:14-23)?  According to Jesus, what does make us unclean?

(16) What was the purpose of the Day of Atonement (see especially v15-19)?  How does Jesus offer a better solution (Hebrews 9:12, 24-26)?

(16) What was the purpose of the live goat?  How is this a picture of what Jesus has done for us (John 1:29)?

(17) Why were the people forbidden to eat blood – what does the blood accomplish (v11, Hebrews 9:22)?

How should we respond to this study?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

5 Ways the Ascension Benefits You– Steve Mathewson (TGC)
His ascension wasn’t merely an exclamation point at the end of the resurrection; it provided his followers with power, grace, mercy, presence, gifts, and anticipation enabling them to advance his mission.

A Helpful Way To Think About Personal Discipleship – Mike Leake
First, I make a concentrated effort to spend time with people. Secondly, every time I spend time with them my goal is to leave them better than when we started—to help them take one step closer to Christ. That’s it. Every time I meet with you I want to love you and want to help you see Jesus a little better.

Governed by Bad News or Good News? – David Prince
Like Paul, we must make a radical commitment to be governed by Gospel truth, rather than our emotions, or the bad news on the 24-hour news shows. If bad news becomes our most prevalent reality, then our emotions will enslave us. But Gospel truth will always set us free. Paul is moved by the bad news he saw, but he was not governed by it.

3 Reasons You Should See Going to Church as a Privilege, Not a Chore – Trevin Wax
Church attendance is not a chore. It’s a gift. Therefore, it should elicit gratitude, not griping.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our Ascended Lord with your local church!

Reflections on Leviticus 6-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage continues to describe the offerings – this time with specific instructions for the priests.  Today we will focus on the peace offering, and the actions of the priests.

  • Peace Offering – This offering symbolized peace and fellowship with God.  The family bringing the sacrifice was able to eat much of the meat from the animal offered.  It was a celebration, eating together in the presence of God.  Jesus is our peace offering, making it possible for us to have fellowship with God.  The Lord’s Supper, though not a sacrifice, is a celebration as we eat together in the presence of God.
  • Obedience – In chapters 8-9, God prepares the priests for their ministry in the tabernacle.  The continuing refrain – that they did “as the Lord commanded” – points to their detailed, consistent obedience.  Do you strive to live obediently each day as the Lord commanded?
  • Approaching God – Nadab and Abihu decide to approach God in their own way, and they are killed on the spot!  How many people today try to come to God in their own way and on their own terms!  Yet God has made clear that there is only one way to approach God today – through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  Is that how you approach God?

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 4:7-10

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

Our Lord descends for you and me, Consider His great love
Ascends again in victory, Praise Him who reigns above

Our Lord has conquered ev’ry foe, His courage now receive
These things foreshadowed long ago, So that we might believe

Our Lord gives gifts unto His own, For our maturity
So let us serve by grace alone, Our Lord and His Body

(To the tune of “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”)

Reflections on Leviticus 1-5

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today records five different offerings that the people of Israel were to make – burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.  We will focus on the sin offering.

  • Sin is serious – The sacrificial system was a constant reminder of the seriousness of sin.  To pay for sin, an animal must die.  Blood must be shed.  In a culture that jokes about or even celebrates many sins, let us remember that sin is a serious thing.
  • Forgiveness is available – The truth of the seriousness of sin could leave us in despair if not for the wonderful truth that forgiveness is available.  Note the glorious repetition in 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:6, 10, 13, 16, 18.  Through sacrifice, atonement (payment) is possible which brings forgiveness of sins.
  • Our sin sacrifice – The tabernacle is gone, and we don’t make sacrifices today.  Why?  Because Jesus is our sin offering.  He died to pay (atone) for our sins so that we could be forgiven.  And unlike before when animals needed to be offered again and again, Jesus died to pay for our sins once for all (see Hebrews 10:11-14).  It is finished!  The payment is made!  You are forgiven in Jesus!  Praise the Lord for this wonderful gift!

Leviticus 1-10: Sacrifice

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1, 6) What was the purpose of the burnt offering (1:4, see also Exodus 29:38-42)?  How does this point to Jesus (Hebrews 7:27)?

How much of the offering was to be consumed on the altar – given to God (1:9)?  How does this point to Jesus, and how does it relate to us (Philippians 2:5-8, Romans 12:1)?  What would it look like for us to do this?

(2, 6) What was the purpose of the grain offering (2:2), and how does Jesus accomplish this purpose for us (Hebrews 7:25)?

How does this offering point to the Holy Spirit (2:1, Luke 4:18, II Corinthians 1:21-22)?

What must not be included in the grain offering (2:11)?  How does that point to Jesus (Hebrews 4:15), and to how we should live (I Corinthians 5:6-8)?

(3, 7) What was the purpose of the peace offering (7:11-16), and how does it point to Jesus (Romans 5:1, Colossians 1:20-22)?

(4-7) What was the purpose of the sin and guilt offerings (note the regular refrain in these verses), and how does it point to Jesus (II Corinthians 5:21, I Peter 2:24, Colossians 2:13)?

(8-9) What did the priests have to do before they could offer sacrifices for the people?  How is Jesus a better high priest (Hebrews 7:26-27)?

(8-10) What refrain runs through chapter 8-9?  In stark contrast, what happens at the beginning of chapter 10 (v1)?  What does this tell us about how we should approach God?  What does this look like?