radiantvisalia.com
Christmas and The Book of Leviticus
Scripture References: Leviticus 12, Leviticus 17:11, Exodus 19, Deuteronomy 6, Revelation 21
Intro:
- Year-end announcements: Evening service at Fox Theater, New Year's Eve service, January 3rd fasting/potluck.
- Christmas celebration: Focus on Christ's birth and its implications.
- Reading Luke 2: Jesus' circumcision and purification rituals.
- Leviticus 12: Explanation of purification laws.
Key Points:
- Mary and Joseph's Financial Struggle: They offered doves/pigeons due to poverty, showing God's understanding of our reality.
- Jesus' Leviticus-Loving Family: They adhered to Jewish law, emphasizing Jesus' respect for Scripture.
- Our Struggle with Leviticus: Detailed instructions, blood/sacrifice, holiness.
- Detailed Instructions: Leviticus as a priestly user manual; moral, civil, ceremonial laws.
- Rules in Context of Relationship: God's deliverance from Egypt precedes the law.
- Obedience for Relationship: God's desire for a separate, devoted people.
- Blood and Sacrifice: Offerings as "drawing near" (Corban), not just appeasing God.
- Atonement (At-One-Ment): Sacrifices for connection, not just punishment.
- Priestly Rituals: Blood on ear, thumb, toe symbolizing hearing, doing, walking in God's way.
- Rituals and Understanding: Christmas traditions, fruitcake, etc.; rituals often enjoyed, rarely understood.
- Holiness: God's holiness vs. our struggle; holiness as devotion, not just abstinence.
- Leviticus' Purpose: Creating an atmosphere for God's presence, like sunscreen protecting from the sun.
- Jesus Fulfills Leviticus: (To be detailed in podcast) He is the ultimate offering, ending the sacrificial system.
- God's Dwelling with Humanity: Revelation 21: God's presence restored through Jesus.
Conclusion:
- Leviticus' laws enabled Moses to enter God's presence.
- Jesus' work bridges the gap, allowing us to dwell with God.
- Heaven's invasion of Earth in Jesus.
Call to Action:
- Reflect on your attitude towards the Old Testament, particularly Leviticus.
- Understand the relationship context of God’s commands.
- Recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system.
- Long for the day of God's full restoration.
- Pray for healing and provision for those struggling.
- Live to bring heaven to earth.
Support the show
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
Please notify us if you find any errors.
