03(Lev 11) A New Standard of Living

Overview:

Clean & Unclean Animals: vv. 1-8

Clean & Unclean Marine Life: vv. 9-12

Clean & Unclean Fowl: vv. 13-19

Clean & Unclean Insects: vv. 20-23

Unclean contact & crawling things: vv. 24-43

I.       The Reason for Such a Standard (44-47)

A.      “I said so.” – I am the Lord Your God.

B.      These dietary laws dealt with the very basic areas of everyday life – eating.

C.      The prohibited items were probably less sanitary – but that was secondary.

D.      The primary purpose was to separate God’s people socially.

§  Pagans in the neighboring lands commonly consumed these prohibited foods.

§  God wanted to create a distinction among His chosen people.

§  He wanted them to learn to be separate, to devote themselves to Him alone.

II.    God Desires His Chosen People to Be Separate Today. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

A.      Disclaimer: we are not to avoid all contact with the world.

§  We are the light of the world, not hidden under a basket, but on a lamp stand.

§  We are to be God’s witnesses, His ambassadors, His ministers.

B.      God calls us to live separated, holy lives.

§  We spoke of this in the message, “Journey into Light” (1 John 1:1-10).

§  2 Corinthians 6:14 - We are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

§  We have a different pace than the world.

§  We have a different direction than the world.

C.      Just as with the Israelites and the Canaanites, we are not to be joined in an enterprise, partnership, or union with unbelievers.

§  For the Israelite, this meant a prohibition against marrying a pagan, idolater.

§  For the Christian, this applies to marriage, business, deer clubs, etc.

III. The Principle: Obedience to God’s Standards, Not Legalistic Practice.

A.      Peter’s Lesson – Acts 10:9-15.

§  We live under grace, not the law.

§  Don’t take the provisions of the law as literal holiness unto themselves.

§  The Principle is separated living, not ceremonial or merely external living.

B.      Peter’s 2nd Lesson – Galatians 2:11-21

§  Peter was guilty of covering up grace by adherence to ceremony.

§  Separated living is about freedom – not restrictions and rules.

§  It is about being crucified with Christ – therefore things that were important before are no longer a driving force in our lives.

§  This includes traditions, fashions, preferences, prejudices.

§  We live by a Holy standard, and that standard draws people to the kingdom.

IV.  The Purpose of a Holy Standard of Living is Blessing (2 Cor. 6:18-7:1)

A.      Verse 7:1 calls the previous statements “promises”.

§  We receive the blessing of intimacy with our Lord.

§  We are treated as sons and daughters, not hired hands.

B.      We are to perfect holiness, out of love and reverence for our King.

§  The Greek indicates this is something we do ourselves, our responsibility.

§  1 John 3:3 - everyone who has the hope of seeing Christ “purifies himself”.

§  Contrary to fleshly thinking, when we live by God’s standards, we find the greatest joy.

Holy living is Wholly living. It is getting the best of the Christian life, the best of any life.

What motivates your conduct? How you dress? How you treat other people?

Is it a desire to reflect the holiness of God, to be found acceptable to Him?