Purity, Part 3 - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: (1) recap — significance of day of atonement (Yom Kippur) (2) “atonement” — broad word represented by a number of pictures/definitions to communicate what is necessary for sin to be addressed (3) read v.1-2 — Nadab/Abihu, ark/mercy seat (4) OT vs. NT

OT Atonement

1. Atonement and the priest (v.3-4, 11-14, 23-28): (1) personal sin and burnt offerings (2) changing of clothes — sign of humility (3) bathing— purity/cleanliness (4) v.12-13 — fire and incense required as a symbol of protecting the priest from God’s holy presence (cf. Moses, Isaiah) (5) v.23-25 — clothing and bathing a “toning down” from being in God’s presence, more offerings as renewed dedication to the Lord (6) legend of the rope (7) take God seriously — scoffers, Pharisees

2. Atonement and the people (v.5-10, 15-22): (1) v.7-10  two goats (one sacrificed, one sent away) (2) “Azazel” — place, demon, scapegoat (3) v.15-13 — only time blood applied to the ark (4) goal is the cleansing of the place (cf. v.16, 19) — trash pickup (5) v.20-22 — symbols of scapegoat — laying of hands = transference, leading away = removal (6) one removes the wrath, the other shows the result (7) God takes sin seriously, both in judgment and forgiveness — Lord’s Supper

NT Atonement

1. Atonement and Jesus: (1) sacrifice/blood of killed goat points forward to sacrifice of Christ (cf. Romans 3:23-26) (2) v.25b-26 — pointing forward nature of day of atonement to superiority of Christ’s sacrifice (3) transference/removal of live goat points forward to transference/removal of our sin (cf. 1 Peter 2:24) (4) Hebrews 13:12 — Jesus symbolically crucified “outside the gate” (cf. 16:27) (5) take Jesus seriously (cf. 9/11 red bandana) — struggle to not feel condemned

2. Atonement and us: (1) 1 John 2:1 — Jesus is now our advocate (cf. “friendly priest” — Andy vs. Barney) (2) Hebrews 4:16 — Jesus invites us to come with confidence to find help in time of need (3) two questions  what is your biggest current need and how are you trying to get it met? (4) my favorite current verse — 1 Peter 5:7 (5) James 4:8 — what makes it difficult for you to draw near to God? (fear, past disappointment, feeling like a lost cause, overwhelming circumstances)

Conclusion: OT vs. NT atonement — guy crawling on ice vs. horse-drawn carriage full of people