Stripped Week 2 - Stripped for Purification

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Recap:

Welcome to week two of our Stripped Lenten Series.

What is Lent? - remembrance and reflection on Jesus’s 40 days fasting and temptation.

“During Lent, we often give up certain habits—maybe chocolate, social media, or a favorite treat. But what if this year we gave up something bigger, something buried in our hearts—like pride?”

Lent calls for repentance, humility, and self-denial—mirroring Jesus’ journey to the cross.

Why “Stripped”?

Our lives - complicated, and we need a good stripping from time to time.

Jesus says, John 15:1-2

John 15:1–2 ESV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

This idea of stripping, is the same as pruning.

“Vines are often stripped bare, or heavily pruned, to encourage fruit production by focusing the vine's energy on ripening fruit and improving air circulation and sunlight exposure, ultimately leading to better quality and quantity of fruit.”

Grapevines -

let them grow and get out of hand = little fruit

prune them, or strip them back to the branch = lots of fruit

Lent is a good time to strip, or let go of some things in our lives, so that we focus more on the true Vine and the Vinedresser.

“Last week, we talked about being stripped of pride. We said pride was a barrier … an obstacle to us obeying God, and it blinds us to our need for repentance.

Today, we’re going to go one step deeper: ‘Purification.’

Engagement Question:

“When you hear the word ‘purification,’ what first comes to mind?

Have you ever felt the need for a fresh, clean start? Have you gotten “filthy dirty,” because of life, or decisions, and you want to “wash it off?”

Welcome to Week 2 of the Stripped Series - “Stripped for Purification.”

1. Introduction: Laying Aside Impurity

Hook

What comes to your mind when you think about being “dirty or unclean?”

When I think about dirty, I think smelly more than actual dirt on me really.

The middle school boy’s locker room after football practice.

Have you been around someone who smells as though they’ve not showered in a week or 4?

“The Middle” - Bric

Have you ever had to lie, or tell someone something you knew wasn’t right, and just felt sleazy, or dirty afterward?

Have you ever done “something” withe someone you wouldn’t normally had, but circumstances happened and you did it and then you were left with the remorse, and dirty feeling, that you couldn’t wash off your body or out of your mind?

If so, keep that image, that thought in your mind as we go through today’s message.

Why Purification Matters

Lent invites us to confront sin and seek God’s cleansing.

Stripping away surface behaviors alone doesn’t tackle the root: our heart’s need for God’s purifying work.

2. Old Testament Picture: Leviticus 14:8–9

To understand the idea of purification and uncleaness, we have to go to the early Scriptures, the Old Testament book of Leviticus.

There was just about no worse example of what biblical uncleanliness is than that of leprosy.

Leprosy appears as a skin disease but can lead to much more. Nerve issues such as numbness, muscle weakness including paralysis of the hands and feet, and even blindness.

It is a very slowly progressing sickness, that once seen indicates, you’ve had it inside you for some time… possibly 5 years.

When it would show up visibly on a person, in the Old Testament, they were put out of the community for the protection of the community.

The leper was first brought to the priest to be examined and the priest would pronounce him clean or unclean. If unclean he was to be put away for 7 days and then re-examined and so forth.

To be brought back into the community, the leper had to be declared, “clean.”

Leviticus 14:8–9 ESV

And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days. And on the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair from his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair, and then he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he shall be clean.

Context

Levitical law for cleansing a leper. The ritual involves shaving, washing—a physical stripping away of impurity.

Leprosy was both a physical condition and a ritual condition separating a person from the community.

Leprosy vs. Sin

Leprosy in the Bible carries with it great spiritual applications. “Leprosy is a remarkable type of sin and its fruits … The visible effect on the body illustrates the effect of sin upon the soul.

John G. Butler

The cleansing ritual of the Old Testament

It is removal of defilement, allowing the one cleansed to return to fellowship with God’s people.

Symbolic Meaning

Like many things in the OT, the outward washing foreshadows an inward cleansing.

Being stripped (hair, clothing) signified leaving old corruption behind—stepping into purity.

Lesson for Today

We might not follow these exact rituals, but the principle remains: God desires a thorough cleansing—removing what isolates or defiles us spiritually.

You see, in the Old Testament, you do not read of the healing of leprosy, but only of the way to be cleansed of it.

Engagement Question:

“If you had to ‘shave off’ (remove) one old, contaminating habit or influence to feel spiritually refreshed, what would it be?”

You may be no leper, but you and I have a defilement we need cleansing of.

3. The New Testament Fulfillment: 1 John 1:7–9

We are all dirty. We are more filthy and stinky than an 8th grade boy’s locker room.

The bible is clear, none of us are pure. None of us are righteous. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:20 ESV

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

So, how can we be cleansed of our leprosy of sin today?

1 John 1:7–9 ESV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Spiritual Cleansing Through Christ

Physical stripping in Leviticus foreshadowed the deeper cleansing by Christ’s sacrifice.

Confession + Christ’s blood = complete spiritual purification.

This is why we began with being stripped of pride.

Remember pride is what keeps us from recognizing, “blind to,” sin and our need for cleansing.

Pride keeps us from confessing, not only to one another but often to God Himself. Fear keeps us from confessing to one another, and blindness of our inability to make ourselves right with a Holy God keeps us from confessing to Him.

Pride has to be stripped away so that we can see the way!

Connection to Leviticus 14

Just as the leper was separated, sin separates us from God.

I’ts only through Christ and His cleansing that we are restored to right relationship with God and brought into a community called “the Church.”

Engagement Question:

“What holds you back from regularly confessing your sins—fear, pride, or simply forgetting that Jesus wants to cleanse you?”

4. Why We Must Allow God to Purify Us

Repentance Restores Fellowship

Isaiah 59:2 ESV

but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Sin blocks intimacy with God. Confession and God’s forgiveness restore it.

Lent is an opportunity to remind us of the need to recognize and turn from sin.

Surface vs. Deep Change

The point of Lent isn’t just to give up a comfort (food, social media). While these can be good, the real transformation happens when our heart changes.

Purification addresses root sins—not just outward behaviors.

Just like those grapevines I used to have to strip back. They had tons of leaves that would make you think they were fruitful, but it’s energy, it’s efforts, were spent in the wrong places.

You can demonstrate some good activities or habits in your life and appear fruitful, but it’s all just leaves if there’s no cleansing, no stripping done on the inside.

Christ’s Sacrifice

We don’t rely on our own “shaving and washing,” like the lepers of old. Instead we get washed in the blood. Jesus’ blood is the ultimate cleansing agent.

Don’t allow pride or shame to stop you from letting Christ do this deeper work. Let go and trust.

The leper lived a life of shame and isolation if he wasn’t cleansed and declared clean.

Without Christ’s cleansing in your life, you will carry that shame from your uncleaness with you isolating you from Him and His body,the Church.

Engagement Question:

“What’s one area of hidden sin or guilt you sense God prompting you to bring into the light for genuine cleansing?”

5. Lenten Applications: Stripped for Purification

Are you dirty? In need of a good cleansing, confess to Christ.

Begin with a simple Scriptural prayer from Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Ask Him to wash you clean.

Psalm 51:1–7 ESV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 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. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:10–12 ESV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Humble yourself, and then thank Him for the purifying cleansing blood He offers.

You can’t make yourself clean. You can’t make yourself right with God. There’s no specific work you need to do except confess and believe.

Daily Confession Practice

Live a life of confession. Daily, “search me Lord.”

Find someone you can trust and confess your struggles to so that you can live, as John says, in the Light, having fellowship with one another.

Pride and shame causes us to isolate, forsaking one another. Jesus makes us clean and on the same level so that we can have real fellowship with one another.

You aren’t meant to live life alone.

You need Christ and you need community!

6. Conclusion

Invitation

“Will you let God do a deep clean in your soul this week—confessing what’s hidden, trusting His grace to wash you white as snow?”

Summary

Lent calls us to serious self-examination. Make it a daily habit.

Jesus is our ultimate source of cleansing—His blood removes sin’s stain and helps us walk in the light.

Prayer

Closing Song

Post Service Discussion

1. Recap of Theme: “Stripped for Purification”

Main Idea: In the Old Testament, a leper was physically “stripped” of hair and required ritual washing before rejoining the community (Leviticus 14). In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus’ sacrifice and our confession of sin result in spiritual cleansing (1 John 1:7–9). Lent invites us to confront hidden sin, trusting God to thoroughly purify us.

2. Key Scripture Readings

Leviticus 14:8–9

The leper’s cleansing ritual: shaving, washing—outward signs of being made “clean” again.

1 John 1:7–9

“If we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus cleanses us… if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Additional References

Isaiah 59:2 — Sin separates us from God, showing our need for reconciliation.

Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God…” David’s cry for inner renewal.

3. Discussion Prompts

A. Understanding Old Testament Cleansing

Reading Leviticus 14:8–9

Question: What stands out to you about the detailed ritual for cleansing a leper? How might this physical “stripping” parallel the spiritual cleansing God desires?

Beyond the Outward

Question: In what ways can we become focused on outward actions or appearances (like the ritual) while neglecting the inward condition of our hearts?

B. New Testament Fulfillment: Christ’s Cleansing

Reading 1 John 1:7–9

Question: Why do you think John ties “walking in the light” so closely with confessing our sins?

Reflection: How does confession of sin open the door for Jesus’ cleansing in your life?

Link to Lent

Question: Why might Lent be a fitting season to practice regular confession or deeper self-examination?

C. Facing Our Own Impurities

Soul-Searching

Question: Consider “spiritual leprosy”—a hidden sin that might slowly numb you to God’s presence or hurt relationships. Which area might God be pointing you to address?

Community & Confession

Question: How can confessing our struggles—whether to God or a trusted friend—break isolation and shame, much like the leper returning to the community once declared “clean”?

D. Embracing Ongoing Purification

Daily Cleansing

Question: What’s one habit or symbolic action you can incorporate (e.g., a quick hand-washing prayer) to remind you of God’s desire for your purity every day?

Christ’s Sufficiency

Question: How can we avoid slipping into self-righteousness or despair when it comes to sin? What comfort do we have in knowing Jesus’ blood is enough to cleanse us fully?

4. Practical Application

Confession Exercise: Invite participants to silently ask God to reveal hidden sins. They can choose to share with the group, or simply write them down and pray for forgiveness.

Encourage Accountability: If comfortable, pair up or form a small group chat for the week to discuss any specific steps needed to walk in the light (e.g., avoiding certain temptations, praying daily, or memorizing a cleansing-related Scripture).

5. Closing & Prayer

Close by reading Psalm 51:7,10—David’s plea for inner cleansing and a renewed spirit.

Prayer: Ask God to strip away each person’s hidden impurities, so this Lenten journey becomes a transformative season of genuine repentance and freedom.

Final Thought:

“Like the leper in Leviticus, every one of us needs thorough cleansing—only ours is spiritual. Confession, honest self-reflection, and Jesus’ finished work are the keys to leaving shame behind. Let’s embrace being stripped of sin so we can experience the joy of restored fellowship with God and each other.”