Listen to Trav's sermon on 12-3-23 if you missed it:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/554773/14162570
Scripture References: Leviticus; Hebrews (esp. Ch. 5-10); Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:9; Psalm 1
Intro: These sermon notes cover the Q&A session recorded after the sermon exploring "Christmas According to Leviticus." Featuring guest Matt Flummer, this discussion highlights the value of understanding Old Testament foundations, like Leviticus, to fully grasp the significance of Jesus' birth and work. While initially feeling the sermon didn't "get to Jesus" enough, listener feedback affirmed the helpfulness of laying the groundwork.
Key Points:
- Value of the OT "Prequel": Understanding the Old Testament, including challenging books like Leviticus, provides essential context and depth for the New Testament. Skipping the backstory diminishes appreciation for how Jesus fulfills God's plan (e.g., reading Hebrews without Leviticus leaves gaps).
- Approaching Leviticus:
- Context is Key: Read it as part of the larger biblical story, recognizing its ancient Near Eastern cultural setting and its place after God's redemption of Israel from Egypt (law given within relationship).
- A Gift to Israel: The laws and sacrificial system, though seeming strange or harsh to us, were God's gracious provision for a sinful people to live in the presence of a holy God. It provided a way to deal with sin and maintain communion. Israelites could delight in the Law (Psalm 1).
- Highlighting God's Holiness: Leviticus powerfully reveals God's awesome, pure, and dangerous holiness. This helps us grasp sin's seriousness and the wonder of the access Christ provides (cf. Nadab & Abihu; Ananias & Sapphira). God's holiness, like the sun or Aslan, is good but not "safe" on human terms.
- Leviticus Fulfilled in Christ:
- Shadow to Substance: Leviticus provides the shadows (sacrifices, priests, purity laws) that find their ultimate substance and meaning in Jesus.
- Fulfillment of Law: Jesus lived perfectly under the Law and fulfilled its requirements (Gal 4:4).
- Perfect Sacrifice & Priest: Jesus is both the final, perfect sacrifice ending the Levitical system and the Great High Priest who offers Himself, securing permanent cleansing and access to God (Hebrews).
- New Sacrifice: Our response is now spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds (Heb 13).
- God's Overarching Goal: Presence: From God dwelling in the Tabernacle (Leviticus) to Jesus being "God with Us" (Christmas) to the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers, the consistent theme is God's passionate desire to be present with His people. Forgiveness of sins serves this ultimate goal of restored communion.
Conclusion: Studying Leviticus enriches our understanding of God's holiness, sin's gravity, and the profound depth of what Jesus accomplished. It's not just an ancient rulebook but essential background revealing God's persistent plan to dwell with His people, a plan perfectly fulfilled in Christ.
Call to Action: Don't shy away from the Old Testament, even challenging books like Leviticus. Read them seeking connections to Jesus and understanding the context He stepped into. Use resources (like reading Hebrews alongside Leviticus) to see Christ's fulfillment. Appreciate the incredible access to God's presence won by Jesus.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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