Life in the Presence of God: Leviticus in the Pentatuech (outline)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Ill: Stepping from cold into sun
Goal: Leviticus answers mankind’s greatest need of how to live life in the presence of God.
How are you going to accomplish this?
(1) You are created to live in the presence of God
(2) You are cast out of God’s presence because of sin
(3) You are called to live in God’s presence without being obliterated
Why should it matter to your hearers?
Living in Presence:
(*) To be in harmonious, relationship with God in the realm of life. Matthew 10:28.
Because of this truth, Leviticus is helpful in answering, “How do we live in the presence of God?”
Points:
(1) You are created to live in the presence of God
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7.
Who is God?
Separate - holy
Sustainer - gracious
Scrupulous - just
Who is man?
Image-bearer
Priestlike figure:
Worshipper (2:15; Numb. 3:7-8; 8:26, 18:5-6).
Communicant (2:15)
Edenic Temple
Presence in Eden = Special
Ill: Traveling to Scottsdale. Arriving at an empty hotel vs. arriving home to the presence of wife.
App:
You are created for covenant, harmonious, holy living in the presence of God. Until this is true about you, you are restless and empty. QUESTION.
Illustration: Joe Rogan interview of Elon Musk.
J.R. - “Do you think there is a meaning to life.”
E.M. - “The meaning of life is to understand the nature of the universe and figure out what the meaning of life is....”
J.R. - “When you keep going with that, where does it go?”
E.M. - “I don’t know. That’s why…If I knew, it would be case closed. We can die now.”
J.R. - “The problem I always have. Do I want there to be a meaning to this? Because it gives a sense of purpose to finite life forms.”
(2) You are cast out from God’s presence because of sin.
Genesis 3:8
Dispersion - Genesis 3:22-24.
Ill: Fish out of water but still breathing, though labored
Deterioration - Genesis 4:16.
Deviations - Genesis 28:14-17; Genesis 39:3, 23.
Deliverance Exodus 19:4.
A Type of New Garden of Eden - Mount of God
Exodus 19:18-21.
Theological Dilemma
Anyone who is in God’s presence must match his holiness.
Illustration: Business Insider reported that you would last 15 seconds in space.
Hebrews 12:29
A Mobile Type of Garden of Eden
Exodus 29:46.
Theological Dilemma: How do you live with God, who is a consuming fire?
Exodus 33:15 - Moses Mediator. Desire to be Accursed.
App:
Ill: Salt Water Fish - Fresh Water Tank
The holy God is a consuming fire. QUESTION.
The holy God wants to dwell with those cast out of His presence. QUESTION.
We must deal with the reality of our own sinfulness, our unholiness. QUESTION.
(3) You are called to live in God’s presence without being obliterated
Exodus 40:35.
The call of God in Leviticus
Morales “The primary theme and theology of Leviticus (and of the Pentateuch as a whole) is YHWH’s opening a way for humanity to dwell in the divine presence.” [p. 23]
Ill: Fish back into water but ph.balance not quite right.
Leviticus 1:4
Atonement: to cover, make amends, pacify
The center of Leviticus
Leviticus 16:29-30. Atonement = “At-One-Ment”
What is the goal?
Illustration: Moses in God’s Presence - Exodus 34:5-8
In this we see glimpses of the Greater Mediator. Jesus.
Particular applications:
To skip Leviticus is to miss the substance of what Jesus’ fulfilled. Romans 3:25, Hebrews 9:5, 5:11 (reconciliation)
“I like the finished product, but I don’t care about the process.”
“I like gift but not the thought.”
“I like the words but not the meaning of the words.”
Ill: Like skipping the Hobbit.
To skip Leviticus is to:
miss the weight of God’s holiness.
miss the cost of human sinfulness.
miss the reality of your limitations.
be tempted towards irreverent worship.
miss our gracious God’s hospitality. ROMANS 15:7.
Conclusion:
Morales “The primary theme and theology of Leviticus (and of the Pentateuch as a whole) is YHWH’s opening a way for humanity to dwell in the divine presence.” [p. 23]
Illustration: Koi - size, flourishing, longevity based on environment/habitat - We were created to live in the presence of God. Fullness is found living in His presence.