Sacrifice, Part 1 - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. 

Intro: (1) first big section of Leviticus is about sacrifices — cannot overemphasize that the penalty for our sin is death (2) difference between Israelite and pagan sacrifices (cf. Psalm 50:12-13) (3) first big sacrifice is the burnt offering (cf. v.3) — daily offering offered every morning and evening (cf. Lam. 3:22-23)

The God who invites (1-2): (1) reminder of where Leviticus came from and the unique role of Moses — repeated over 50 times in Leviticus (2) first the mountain, now the tent (3) God is the initiator of relationship with his people — joy of an invite (4) Keller— “Jesus longs to be with us more than we long to be with him” (5) what do you need to come to the Lord for today — forgiveness, peace, rest, comfort, strength, endurance, perspective

The God who provides (3-17)

•  The body (3, 10, 14): (1) accommodation for those of different socioeconomic backgrounds (2) v.9,13 — all of it burned — total surrender (parenting kids) (3) v.3 and 10 emphasize that the animal must be “without blemish” — a reminder that the worshiper was blemished by sin/impurity and that the sacrifice was meant to be costly (4) males more expendable
•  The blood (4-9a, 11-13a, 15-17a): (1) proper place (i.e. tent and altar) —picture (2) notice the involvement of both the worshiper and the priest together (3) v.4— laying of the worshiper’s hand on the animal to signify recognition of the animal as a substitute (4) upon the killing the animal would slump, the blood would gush out, and the priest would be responsible for getting it onto the altar (5) a powerful picture intended to produce a powerful result — Lord’s Supper

The God who atones (4): (1) after washing, body fully burned (grilling vs. incinerating) — picture of God’s wrath being satisfied — sacrifice fully consumed, worshiper fully accepted — “pleasing aroma” (2) “atonement” (v.4) — sin covered/swept away/forgiven (3) sacrifice just a picture — atonement/forgiveness only accomplished at the cross (cf. Rom. 3:21-26) — “pleasing aroma” in Eph. 5:2

Conclusion: (1) Christ is our burnt offering — he provides forgiveness (Rom. 3:25) because he is the sacrifice without blemish (1 Peter 1:18-19), so that by faith in him we too are now without blemish (Eph.5:27) (2) his offering was a pleasing aroma to God (Eph. 5:2) (3) if we have been forgiven (i.e. atoned for) and accepted, then we should forgive and accept others (4) evangelistic appeal