Leviticus 22:31-33

The first thing that God did with His people when He brought them out of the land of Egypt was instill a high view of Himself into them

A church without a lofty view of God is a church that cannot possibly worship and serve God correctly

The Holy God Who Commands

The word “command” and its many forms are used anytime God gives instruction

God does not give suggestions or simple “good advice” -> He demands things be done and will see to it that His holiness is accomplished

Punishes disobedience and punishes disobedience -> this simple truth is worth our attention

With a life full of seemingly complex decisions to make, adopting the simplicity of this philosophy is a helpful guide (Prov. 16:16–33)

His rewards and judgments are both temporary and eternal -> as is God’s right to do with our response to His commandments

God’s commandments are not grievous, unfair, or negative at all -> they are an upgrade, but we need not think them optional!

The Holy God Who Consecrates

Christians are often guilty of missing the purpose of salvation -> salvation is not the end goal, but the foundation that God uses for a purpose

Because God is holy, He expects us to be as well -> this is accomplished by imputing His righteousness onto us

The salvation of God amounts to far more than just the forgiveness of our sins -> it is a transformation/new birth (Nicodemus)

The salvation of God is also not contingent upon our works, as it is God’s righteousness imputed onto us (rich young ruler)

God saves souls not to sideline apathetic and lazy people, but to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28-32)

The work God begins He is faithful to complete (Phil. 1:6)

The Holy God Who Delivers

When we think of the deliverance of God, we usually think of the dangers that once laid ahead -> we forget the mire we were delivered from

Not just the consequences of Egypt, but Egypt itself -> they were liberated, as we are in Christ liberated from sin

Not only does sin have dreadful consequences, but it is filthy and vile in itself!

The picture of Egypt and Canaan are beautiful pictures of this life -> delivered from sin to walk in faithfully in God’s ways despite our enemies surrounding us

It is important to remember it this way, lest we long for Egypt like the Israelites frequently did in the wilderness

It is vitally important that the people of God have a proper view of their God

It was not the most talented, intelligent, or qualified who God used to build the church, but those who loved God and saw Him as highly exalted (Is. 57:15)

"I am the Lord” is repeated 3 times here for a reason! -> we need that reminder