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.

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