Door of Hope Christian Church Service | October 19th 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Deep Desire to Dwell with His People

From the very beginning, God’s heart has been to live among His people, to be present in their midst, and to make a way for relationship even when humanity falls short. Despite our failures and impurity, God’s grace is seen in His continual pursuit of us, providing means for restoration and closeness. The Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 is a powerful reminder that God does not abandon His people when they mess up, but instead, He creates a path for them to return to Him, to be purified, and to experience His presence anew. This is not just an ancient ritual, but a reflection of God’s unchanging desire to be with you, to make His home in your life, and to invite you into a community centered on Him. [30:11]

Leviticus 16:29-34 (ESV)
“And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever. And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father’s place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to draw closer to Him, even in the midst of your failures or feelings of unworthiness?

Day 2: Atonement: The Two-Part Solution for Sin and Impurity

Atonement is not a simple or one-dimensional act; it is a profound, two-part process that deals with both the impurity that comes from living in a fallen world and the deeper problem of sin that separates us from God. Through the sacrifice of one goat, impurity and death are exchanged for life and purity, and through the sending away of the scapegoat, sin is carried far from the people, symbolically removed from the community. This ritual points to the seriousness of both sin and impurity, but even more, it reveals God’s commitment to making His people clean and whole, restoring what was broken so that they can live in His presence. [50:02]

Leviticus 16:15-22 (ESV)
“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel. Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat and put it on the horns of the altar all around. And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel. And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat. And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.”

Reflection: What is one area of impurity or sin in your life that you need to bring before God today, trusting Him to both cleanse and remove it?

Day 3: Jesus, the True and Final Atonement

The Day of Atonement was always pointing forward to a greater reality: Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, who would offer Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin and impurity. In His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfills both aspects of atonement—His blood purifies us, and He carries our sins far away, never to be counted against us again. Through Him, death is defeated, and we are invited into a new, unbreakable relationship with God. The cross is not just a rescue from death, but the doorway into true life, unity with God, and the freedom to live as His beloved children. [56:05]

Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV)
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus has carried away all your sin and impurity change the way you approach God today?

Day 4: Communion: Remembering and Receiving the Gift of Atonement

Jesus gave His followers a tangible way to remember and participate in the atonement He accomplished—through communion, we are reminded that His body was given for us and His blood poured out to establish a new covenant. As we eat and drink, we proclaim that our sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west, and that His perfect life now covers us. Communion is not just a ritual, but an invitation to receive afresh the grace, forgiveness, and new life that Jesus offers, and to let that reality shape our identity and our community. [59:20]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”

Reflection: As you take communion (or reflect on its meaning), what does it mean for you personally that Jesus’ sacrifice has made you clean and brought you into God’s family?

Day 5: Living a Life Shaped by Atonement

The atonement is not just a theological truth to be believed, but a reality to be lived out. When we grasp the depth of God’s love and the cost of our purification, we are called to live differently—lives marked by gratitude, humility, and a desire to invite others into the same freedom and relationship with God. The presence of God within us through the Holy Spirit empowers us to be a community that reflects His holiness, love, and grace to the world, making the atonement the centerpiece of everything we do. [01:02:41]

Hebrews 10:14 (ESV)
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let the reality of Jesus’ atonement shape your actions, words, or relationships today so that others might see God’s love through you?

Sermon Summary

Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement, stands at the very center of the Torah and reveals the heart of God’s desire: to dwell among His people. From the beginning, God has longed to live with us, but our impurity and sin have always been barriers to His holy presence. The Day of Atonement was God’s gracious solution—a way to purify both the people and the sacred space so that relationship could be restored. The rituals of this day, involving two goats and a series of sacrifices, were not arbitrary; they were deeply symbolic, pointing to the seriousness of sin and the lengths God would go to make a way for us.

The first goat, sacrificed for the people, represented the exchange of innocent life for death, purifying what had been tainted. The second, the scapegoat, carried away the sins of the people into the wilderness, symbolically removing them from the community and sending them back to the source of evil. This two-part process—purification and elimination—shows that atonement is not just about forgiveness, but about the complete removal of everything that separates us from God.

Yet, even this annual ritual was only a temporary solution, a shadow of what was to come. The prophets looked forward to a day when God would provide a final, perfect atonement. In Jesus, the true and better sacrifice, God Himself became both the offering and the scapegoat. Jesus’ innocent blood purifies us, and He carries our sin far away, dumping it on the enemy where it belongs. Through His death and resurrection, death is defeated, and the barrier between us and God is forever removed.

Now, through Jesus, we are invited into a new kind of life—one where God’s presence is not just near, but within us. We are made pure, not by our own efforts, but by the blood of the blameless One. Communion becomes a living reminder of this atonement: as we eat and drink, we remember that our sins are taken away and that we are made whole. This is the centerpiece of our faith and the foundation for a life that is truly different—a life that invites others to experience the same freedom and restoration.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s deepest desire is to dwell with His people, but His holiness cannot coexist with impurity or death. The Day of Atonement reveals both the seriousness of our condition and the relentless grace of God, who continually makes a way for us to be with Him, even when we fail. [30:11]
2. Atonement is a two-part process: purification from impurity and the elimination of sin. The two goats—one sacrificed, one sent away—show that God not only forgives but also removes the very things that separate us from Him, restoring both our relationship and our environment. [50:02]
3. The scapegoat ritual is more than just a symbolic gesture; it is a powerful act of defiance against evil. By sending the sins of the people back to the enemy, God demonstrates that sin and death do not have the final word—He does, and He is not content to let His people remain in bondage. [48:58]
4. The annual atonement was only a temporary solution, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice. In Jesus, God provides a once-for-all atonement: His blood purifies us, and He carries our sin away forever, making us permanently “death-proof” and opening the way for unbroken communion with God. [56:39]
5. Communion is not just a ritual, but a living participation in the reality of atonement. As we eat and drink, we are reminded that our sins are truly gone, our impurity is washed away, and we are invited to live lives marked by gratitude, purity, and a desire to invite others into this same freedom. [59:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:11] - Community and Hospitality
[04:27] - Alpha Course Invitation
[05:38] - Opening Prayer
[29:25] - Series Recap and Introduction
[30:11] - God’s Desire to Dwell with His People
[31:53] - The Centerpiece of the Torah
[33:12] - The Problem of Sin and Death
[36:09] - God’s Gracious Solution
[38:10] - The Two Goats Explained
[41:21] - The Meaning of Blood and Atonement
[45:29] - The Scapegoat and the Elimination of Sin
[48:58] - Sending Sin Back to the Enemy
[52:47] - The Prophetic Hope of Final Atonement
[54:28] - Jesus, the True Atonement
[59:59] - Communion: Remembering Our Atonement
[62:04] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Leviticus 16:1-34 (ESV) — (The central text for the sermon and study. Please read the whole chapter together as a group.)

Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV) — Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Hebrews 10:14 (ESV) — For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Observation Questions

What were the two main roles of the goats in the Day of Atonement ritual, and what did each represent? (Leviticus 16:7-10, 15-22)
According to the sermon, why did Aaron have to wear plain clothes instead of his usual high priestly garments when entering the Most Holy Place? [36:57]
What did the act of sending the scapegoat into the wilderness symbolize for the people of Israel? [45:29]
In Isaiah 53:6, what does it mean that “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all”? How does this connect to the ritual in Leviticus 16?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon described atonement as a two-part process: purification and elimination. Why is it important that both impurity and sin are dealt with, not just one or the other? [50:02]
The scapegoat was sent away to “Azazel,” which the sermon suggested represents God’s enemy. What does this act of sending sin “back to the enemy” say about God’s attitude toward evil and sin? [48:58]
The annual Day of Atonement was described as a “temporary solution” pointing forward to something greater. How does Jesus fulfill and surpass what was accomplished on the Day of Atonement? [56:39]
Communion was described as a “living participation in the reality of atonement.” How does this change the way we think about taking communion together? [59:59]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that God’s deepest desire is to dwell with His people, but His holiness cannot coexist with impurity or death. Are there areas in your life where you feel distant from God because of impurity or sin? What would it look like to bring those honestly before Him this week? [30:11]
The two goats show that God not only forgives but also removes the very things that separate us from Him. Is there something in your life that you need to let go of, trusting that Jesus has already carried it away? What might it look like to live as someone whose sin has truly been “sent away”? [50:02]
The scapegoat ritual was described as a “powerful act of defiance against evil.” Are there ways you can actively resist the hold of sin or evil in your life, rather than just passively hoping it goes away? What practical step could you take this week? [48:58]
The sermon said that through Jesus, we are made pure “not by our own efforts, but by the blood of the blameless One.” Do you ever find yourself trying to earn God’s acceptance? How can you remind yourself to rest in what Jesus has already done? [56:39]
Communion is not just a ritual, but a living reminder that our sins are truly gone. How might your attitude or approach to communion change after hearing this message? Is there a way you can prepare your heart differently next time you take it? [59:59]
The message ended with a call to live lives marked by gratitude, purity, and a desire to invite others into the same freedom. Who in your life might need to hear about the freedom and restoration Jesus offers? What is one way you could invite them into that conversation or experience this month? [01:02]
The Day of Atonement was a community event, not just an individual one. How can you help create a community (in your small group, family, or church) where people feel safe to confess, be honest, and experience God’s cleansing together? [31:53]

Sermon Clips

So it becomes an annual opportunity to wipe the slate clean, to start again, to return to life from the state of death, to make the impure pure again, and to send sin right back to where it came from, eliminating it from the community temporarily, temporarily. Because it is also a taste of what is still to come. [00:52:11] (36 seconds) #AnnualSlateCleanse

``In this centerpiece moment, the piece of the puzzle of history that the puzzle makes no sense without, God provides a way. Jesus. Emmanuel. God with us. Fully God, fully human. Sinless, spotless, pure. Unfairly sacrificed on the cross for the sins of humanity, none of which he committed himself. His blood poured out, purifying everything that it comes into contact with. Replacing what's dead with what is truly alive. Making clean again anything tainted with the pollution of death. [00:55:40] (54 seconds) #JesusThePerfectWay

If you accept the blood of the innocent Jesus shed for you on the cross, then you are permanently death-proof. And instead of death being a barrier to entering into God's presence, our earthly death becomes the very gateway into permanent union with God. A once-off atonement sacrifice. For our purification. [00:56:52] (31 seconds) #PermanentDeathProof

Jesus became sin. Sin for us. He eliminates our sin. Carrying it out into the wilderness far, far away and dumping it in all of its messiness and grossness and stinkiness all over the enemy where it belongs. I wonder if you've allowed Jesus to take your sin away and dump it where it belongs. He did this so that God may once again dwell with his people. Permanently. [00:57:51] (33 seconds) #JesusCarriesOurSinAway

As we eat the wafer, may it remind us that, our sins have been eliminated, taken away by Jesus once and for all. The psalmist writes, As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. [01:00:04] (17 seconds) #BreadRemindsOfForgiveness

And as we drink the juice, may it remind us of the blood, the pure, unblemished blood, representing perfect life, life to the full, as Jesus describes it in John 10. And may we allow it to wash away our impurities, the pollution of sin and death. May we allow the purity of Jesus to transfer to us and make us pure as well. The blood of the blameless one makes us blameless in his sight. [01:00:51] (44 seconds) #BloodPurifiesAndCleanses

May we each live a life that is different from the world around us. A life where the atonement you made for us is the centerpiece of everything. A life that demonstrates that we have pure life, a life running and coursing through our veins. A life that honors the freedom we've been given and the blood that was shed on our behalf. And may we each live a life that invites others to experience the atonement that is available to them as well. [01:02:39] (34 seconds) #LiveAtonedLife

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