Pattern of Destruction
Leviticus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The Arc of Leviticus is complete. Chapter 27 will reinterate the high and holy days and their observances. Chapter 26 has given weight to the need for a Sabbath and a seven year rest. But you can’t describe the journey and goal of Leviticus any better than the book does itself. Remember following the sin of the worship of the calf that the people have a beautiful tabernacle standing in the wilderness. They had a form of Godliness but the idolatry was proof they did not know the power thereof.
There attitude is best represented by the two sons of Aaron struck down on their first day on the job. For mixing strange fire upon the altar.
And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
So God gives the children of House of Aaron the book of Leviticus so that there is a mediator between God and his people. And the people have headed the lesson of Leviticus.
These are the commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.
From and in
God is no longer in the house alone announcing he is in the tabernacle with them. God and his people together. The book of Leviticus ends hopeful and encouraging. Follow my instruction and we will be together.
Text: Leviticus 26:1-4
Text: Leviticus 26:1-4
Start with an explanation of the works of Calvary:
Man is alienated because of Sin
Christ’s cleansing at Calvary
Perpetual blessing through Christ and his righteousness
What we see in Chapter 26 is an OT equivalent.
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.
If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
You see in the OT you find this connection between Obedience and Blessing. You are mine because you do the things that I call you to do.
But the elements for Obedience are in place. We have seen it spelled out having to do with purity law, worship law, and giving. I want you to see that there is a point to all of this. When we read vs. 3 we are quick to keep the sentence moving. To the blessings of God and his provision for the people.
And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
What a powerful promise. They were going to be completely dependent on God for their needs to be met. They would know that when God gives to them that they are recipients of a relationship.
If only we had anything like that in the NT.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
If you remember the rule of Bible interpretation you know that Context is king. The context is that he church in Philippi were faithful to gather offerings on the first day of the week. To meet the needs of distant Christians, and the spread of Pauls Gospel ministry.
To these Christians Paul says God is the one providing your needs.
But they were told to keep the commandment of God.
Right John the Beloved told us to obey the command of Jesus.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
This is confirmed at Jesus own mouth
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
I’m thankful for the explanation of how the law works when Paul makes his great explanation in the book of Romans and Galatians. But there were two elements that were at the heart of the law.
LOVE GOD with all your heart with all your soul and with all your might.
LOVE your neighbor.
I want you to understand you can be born again without keeping the law. But you cannot be an obedient Christian without Obeying the commandment that Jesus has given.
You see this in Lev 26:1-3
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.
If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
Run these verses in reverse.
Obey me
That you may worship me
Worship me alone.
Remember, that the law is merely a shadow of what you and I have fulfilled in Christ. But I want you to leave the book of Leviticus completely committed to the heart of the Law.
To love God
To love one another
You say well, if God were a God of grace then why did God judge those that broke his law?
And he did judge them.
But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
This is a harshness the modern Christian doesn’t have the stomach for. Primarily because we don’t see sin the same way that God does. If we could see sin God’s way we would see the damage done.
God helps us with an explanation…
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
Pride
Exposition on Why God Hates Our Pride:
Pride, often defined as an excessive sense of one's own importance or superiority, is a trait that is consistently condemned in the Bible. Throughout Scripture, God reveals His disdain for pride and its destructive nature. Here are several reasons why God hates our pride:
Pride opposes God's authority: At its core, pride elevates self above God. It asserts independence from Him and rejects His rightful place as Lord and Creator. This rebellion against God's authority is deeply offensive to Him.
Pride distorts our view of reality: Pride leads us to overestimate our own abilities and importance, while underestimating the contributions of others and our need for God. This distorted perspective hinders our relationship with God and others.
Pride leads to self-deception: The proud often deceive themselves into thinking they are self-sufficient and do not need God's guidance or help. This self-deception can prevent them from seeking God's forgiveness and redemption.
Pride breeds contention: Pride fuels conflict and division, as it causes individuals to prioritize their own desires over unity and peace.
Only by pride cometh contention:
But with the well advised is wisdom.
Pride hinders spiritual growth:
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Pride creates a barrier between us and God, hindering our ability to receive His grace, wisdom, and blessings.
Pride leads to destruction: Prideful attitudes can lead to moral, relational, and spiritual downfall if left unchecked.
Pride goeth before destruction,
And an haughty spirit before a fall.
Illustrate:
Husband - Red pill
Pride in husbands can lead to a lack of intimacy and connection in marriage. Combat this by regularly expressing gratitude and appreciation towards your spouse. Make an effort to listen attentively to their needs and feelings, and seek to serve them selflessly without expecting anything in return.
Wife - Feminism
You have noticed that pride is causing issues in your marriage. To overcome this, practice humility by actively listening to your spouse's perspective without interrupting. Make an effort to apologize when you are wrong and avoid always needing to be right. Focus on serving and loving your spouse as Christ loves the church, putting their needs above your own.
Children - rebellion
At home, practice humility by actively listening to your parents without interruptions. Avoid the need to always be right or have the last word in conversations. Engage in discussions with a willingness to learn from your folks.
Owners - profits first
If you struggle with pride in the workplace, make a conscious effort to acknowledge the contributions of your colleagues. Regularly express gratitude for their hard work and accomplishments, fostering a culture of appreciation and teamwork.
These are demonstrations of your will verse his.
What pride does is takes my dependence on the Lord and puts me at the center of my provision and control.
At the core of this book rests two options and each of us are making that decision today and tomorrow and the next.
Worship Him and him alone or Worship OR Obey -You
The Point of Calvary was that our Savior could look out for what is best for himself. Or He could obey the will of God.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Someone says pastor I can’t every time I try to get rid of my pride it comes rushing back. Then run to the one who demonstrated power over pride and seek his grace to have it in your life.