Rules of Engagement

01/28/2019 Rules of Engagement

Series: The Story Of The Bible 

https://vimeo.com/312656607

What Does The Bible Say?

Exodus 19 - Leviticus 1

Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. 2 After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:1–2 NLT)

Big Picture: God wants to experience life with us

God tells Moses that three things had to be worked out in order for God to dwell among the Israelites. 

Then God gave the people all these instructions: 2 “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 3 “You must not have any other god but me. (Exodus 20:1–3 NLT)

We must live by a set of guidelines on how we treat God and each other.

24 “Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me—your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.  (Exodus 20:24 NLT)

The LORD called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an offering to the LORD, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. 3 “If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the LORD. 4 Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. (Leviticus 1:1–4 NLT)

We must have a way for our sins to be covered.

8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 9 You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you. (Exodus 25:8–9 NLT)

We must have a place for God to stay.

3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (Romans 8:3–4 NLT)

9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (Romans 8:9 NLT)

How Can You Obey:

8 Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. 9 And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.” 10 The LORD replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD—the awesome power I will display for you. (Exodus 34:8–10 NLT)

Have you asked God to travel with you?

The Clue Of God’s Salvation: Blood had to be shed for sins.

Question 1 of 5

If we see God as a cosmic killjoy just waiting for people to do something wrong so He can catch and punish them, how will this impact our relationship with Him?

Question 2 of 5

God no longer dwells in tents or temples; He lives in us (Acts 7:48-50; 1 Corinthians 6:19). How does recognizing that God dwells in us help us make better choices in life? 

Question 3 of 5

God has always wanted to connect with humanity, from the Garden to the tabernacle; From Christ to the Holy Spirit; and God wants to connect to you. What are ways you can experience the presence and care of God in your daily life?

Question 4 of 5

Sacrifices needed to be made so that human wrongs could be cleansed and covered over (atoned for). How does the sacrificial system found in the book of Leviticus pave the way for the final sacrifice that would wash away all sins forever (the death of Jesus on the cross)?

Question 5 of 5 

God promised that His presence would be with the people and they would stand out in the world because of it. This is still true today. What are some ways Christians should stand out in the world? Name one area of your life in which you sense God is calling you to look different to the world because He is with you.