Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Leviticus 4 (2)

Introduction:

· Have you ever done something wrong…without even knowing it?

FIRST: REPAIRING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WHEN WE AREN’T AWARE OF WHAT WE’VE DONE WRONG, AND HOW DO WE REPAIR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS?

I) God Cleans our conscience from unintended sin

A. When we don’t even realize that we’ve sinned (Ch. 4; incl. vs.13)

i. Sometimes we sin out of ignorance

1. Have you ever thought you’d been being helpful…but were not?

2. That’s one form of unintentional sin: Ignorance of Law, or misapplication

ii. Sometimes we sin because we don’t have all the facts

1. EXAMPLE: Gibeonite Deception

2. You tell an employee to be more positive (w/o realizing a divorce)

B. The Consequences of Unintended Sins

i. Sometimes discipline revealed the presence of unintended sin (vs. 14)

1. Sometimes God disciplined his people, leading to awareness(Heb. 12:6)

Hebrews 12:6 ESV

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

2. EXAMPLE: Losing friendships because of pride

3. Other ways: prophets (today: sermons; friend; etc.)

ii. Those guilty of unintended sins were still held responsible for them

1. “But if you aren’t sure you sinned, how can you be responsible?”

2. EXAMPLE: Speeding by Salem Library

C. God Provides a Remedy Even for Unintentional Sins

i. But always, God provided the remedy (Heb. 7:26-27)

Hebrews 7:26–27 ESV

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

1. Context: priests first had to make (more costly!) atonement (4:3)

2. Our perfect high priest didn’t a sacrifice but would BE the sacrifice

ii. We may draw near to God

1. Therefore, our sins are atoned for, and we are forgiven (vs. 20)

2. APPLICATION: Parent guilt;

BUT WHAT ABOUT SINS THAT YOU MIGHT COMMIT AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON?

II) God Reconciles with us so we can Be reconciled to Others

A. Sin Fractures Community (6:1-4)

i. A sin against a neighbor is in fact a violation against God (vs. 2)

1. The language emphasizes our vertical relationship

2. EXAMPLE: King David (Ps. 51:4)

Psalm 51:4 ESV

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

ii. A sin against a neighbor creates a debt

1. Financial dishonesty; deception; exploitation (vv. 2-3)

2. EXAMPLE: Selling a car with a bad transmission

3. Sometimes our wrong also creates a relational debt

4. EXAMPLE: damage reputation; destroy trust, wound a person

B. God’s Remedy provides a path to restoration

i. We are to make restitution to our neighbor

1. Jesus stresses the urgency of reconciliation (Matt. 5:23-24)

Matthew 5:23–24 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

2. Reconciliation involved repayment of the debt, plus a penalty (vs.4-5)

ii. We are to confess our sin to God (vs. 6)

1. Because sin violates our relationship with God, we confess it to Him

C. Jesus our True Guilt Offering who cleanses us from Our sin

i. We have a greater debt

1. This is costly, painful, difficult…how can we be motivated?

2. The debt that we have to God is infinitely greater than any debt

ii. We have the greatest Priest (see Is. 53)

1. Isaiah envisioned a servant of God who would suffer as a guilt offering

2. Jesus is our guilt offering, satisfying our debt for sin

Transition:

Conclusion

The beauty of restored relationships