Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Leviticus 26:1–17 (2)

Introduction:

· Obedience is a difficult topic to address because of the twin ditches of license and legalism:

LET’S TALK ABOUT GOD’S DESIRE, GOD’S CALL, AND GOD’S GIFT

I) God’s Deep Desire: A Return to Eden

A. God promises material flourishing of Eden (vv. 3-10)

i. God’s promise of blessing takes us back to the flourishing of Eden

1. Agricultural prosperity, safety, security, and ultimately “fruitful” (vs. 9)

2. This language of Eden shows God’s desire to give material blessing

ii. God delights in providing material blessing

1. Many of us: God frowns on pleasure – In fact, he’s a ‘hedonist at heart”

2. QUOTE: Calvin on the sun

3. God’s material blessing is everywhere: your job; your school, a pantry full of food.

B. God Promises spiritual blessings of Eden (vv. 11-13)

i. God’s promise of spiritual blessing takes us back to the joy of God’s presence

1. But more: To walk with us reminds us of A&E in Eden

2. Leviticus: God Dwelling among his people: Boardroom, bedroom, classroom; work, play, relationships…

ii. God assures us that He will always be with us

1. We may not always experience abundant material blessings: suffering etc.

2. But in the OR; called into the office/fired; phone call at night…

THE QUESTION IS – HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF EDEN?

II) God’s Clear Calling: Obedience as a way of Living as His Children

A. God Assures that Obedience Leads to Blessing (vv. 1-2)

i. Obedience means putting God above all else

1. God begins with the 1st commandment because obedience flows from this

2. EXAMPLE: Busy, neglect your spouse/familyàstatus is most important

ii. Obedience is a way to express and experience God’s Love

1. Jesus echoes this: Obedience is how we experience and express God’s love for God

2. EXAMPLE: Holding to a position that isn’t popular in our culture;

B. And Disobedience to Curses (vv. 14-17ff)

i. God warns that disobedience will be met with discipline

1. Far more emphasis given to the cascading negative consequences: Curses

2. Disobedience unwinds the blessings of flourishing àloss of land

3. EXAMPLE: Harbor sin, and you may experience distance from God

ii. Discipline is God’s Fatherly care (vv. 44-45)

1. God isn’t vindictive, but looks for patterns in our life where we resist

2. EXAMPLE: a parent will love their kids enough to discipline

I THINK IT’S FASCINATING – GOD IS NO DUMMY HERE.

III) Gods’ Gracious Provision:

A. “But what happens when God’s children wander?” (VS. 44)

i. God anticipates his children’s wandering away

1. God doesn’t say “if” but “when” they wander

2. And, this is what happened == Israel lost the land, lost fellowship

ii. Most of us are aware that we too have wandered

1. The Trouble for us: does God give up on us when we don’t obey?

2. EXAMPLE: yelling at your kids for the umpteenth time? Thought you’d forgiven (but suddenly feel resentment again) etc.

B. The True Motive For Obedience: Living as God’s Children

i. Obedience doesn’t earn God’s Love (vs. 13)

1. God redeemed Israel from Egypt FIRST, so they could serve him

2. God has secured you as a member of your family at the cross – nothing will change that.

ii. Jesus is the one who comes to seek, save, the lost

1.

Transition:

Conclusion

Jesus, the true and greater...