Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Leviticus 1 (2)

Introduction:

· Preparing to meet a person of importance – Lance Futch meets the President

· Leviticus is all about this – how do God’s people live in the presence of royalty?

WE’RE GOING TO LOOK THIS MORNING AT HOW GOD PROVIDES ATONEMENT, HOW HE ASSURES US OF HIS FAVOR, AND HOW HE GIVES THESE GIFTS TO US.

I) God Provide Atonement From Sin

A. Preface: “What do we do with our guilt?”

i. The Theme of Leviticus

1. Ch’s 1-9: instruction manual for a variety of sacrifices, including burnt

2. The first issue: “What do you do with your guilt?” -- R.C. Sproul

ii. The first matter to deal with: How do you deal with guilt?

1. Defensive, denial, deflection: Spouse: “you aren’t pulling your weight…” a friend: You shared something I asked you to keep in confidence…”

2. Defensive, denial, deflection; are “self-justification”

B. Atonement means freedom from the penalty of Sin (vs. 4)

i. Sin places us under the penalty of guilt

1. To “atone” means ransom, (release from an obligation): the penalty of sin

2. Our feel-good society downplays guilt – yet we can’t escape this reality

3. EXAMPLE: a Black Box” that records everything you think, say, or do

ii. But atonement assures us that the penalty of sin has been paid

1. God’s wrath is consuming that animal in your place (vv. 7, 9, 13, 17)

2. APPLICATION: “There is now no condemnation”: black box is erased!

C. Atonement means freedom from the power of Sin

i. Sin corrupts us as well

1. To “Atone” also mean to purify –cleansing us from the filth of something

2. EXAMPLE gossip; greed; corruption in government; porn in marriage

ii. God deals not only with the penalty of sin, but also the power of sin

1. Living in God’s presence means that God intends to break sin’s power!

2. APPLICATION: Addictions, sins etc. God breaks their power over us!

SO, GOD DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM OF OUR SIN; BUT THERE’S MORE: HE ALSO ASSURES US OF HIS FAVOR.

II) God Assures us of His Favor

A. God’s acceptance meant his favor (vv. 9, 13, 17)

i. As each offering was consumed, it becomes a pleasing aroma

1. The smell and the sight of the offering secured God’s favor

2. “The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards.” Tolkein

ii. The God of the universe is pleased.

1. EXAMPLE: An orchestra conductor smiles… that is how God smiles at us

2. The infinitely glorious God of the universe looks at you and smiles on you

B. Living in the joy of God’s Favor

i. Some of us may have never considered how God looks at you and smiles

ii. To know God’s favor can carry us through the darkest times…

SO, GOD DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM OF OUR SIN, AND HE ASSURES US OF HIS FAVOR; BUT THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

III) The benefits of Offerings are Ours Through Faith

A. God would provide the true sacrifice for us

i. The Blood and the unblemished:

1. The animal had to be the most precious of the flock (vv. 3, 10)

2. The animal shed its blood – as a symbol of its life (vv. 5, 11, 15)

ii. In Time, God would provide the true sacrifice

1. Did God forgave Israel’s sins because of their right sacrifices?

2. No: These sacrifices pointed to a greater reality!

a. the people who would bring the offering; God would

b. Jesus was a lamb without blemish, a perfect son

c. But his blood would be poured against the altar of the cross

d. He would be “consumed” by the wrath of God on the cross

B. We Receive these benefits by Identifying with Jesus

i. People had to “Press” on the lamb (vs. 4)

1. Pressing on the lamb was identification: “This is me.”

2. This is faith: “Looking to Jesus, and saying “he is me.”

i. His perfect life in place of mine

ii. His death at the hands of a righteous and just God in place of me

iii. His resurrection into the newness of life, with me.

ii. The Benefits:

1. A Clean conscience: The Holy Spirit will convict, but not condemn

2. A New way to handle guilt: Quick to repent, slow to deny, defend…

Conclusion

Striving to be a “forgiven people” in a graceless culture