Fellowship and Freedom: Celebrating Christ's Sacrifice Together
Summary
The sermon begins by exploring the cultural and historical context of the Old Testament, particularly the Book of Leviticus. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the values and thought processes of the people during that time, which differ significantly from our modern perspectives. Despite these differences, universal principles such as the importance of family and basic human needs are still recognizable. The speaker uses the example of the fellowship offering in Leviticus to illustrate the specific rituals and actions that were part of worship in ancient Israel.
The speaker then delves into the concept of fellowship, not as a casual social gathering but as a profound celebration of what Christ has done for believers. Fellowship is portrayed as a shared experience of victories and failures, a key element of God's plan for holiness. The speaker encourages the congregation to engage in fellowship with the intention of drawing closer to Jesus Christ, following God's instructions, and walking in the light as outlined in 1 John 1:5-7.
A personal story is shared about the speaker's visit to a safari park and the humorous encounter with budgies, which serves as a metaphor for the different ways people approach church and worship. The speaker also reflects on the recent celebration and meal, emphasizing the importance of communal celebration and its difference from solitary experiences. The Lord's Supper is highlighted as a celebration that requires a group and represents the greatest reason to celebrate—Jesus' sacrifice for eternal life.
The sermon also touches on the Renaissance's influence on modern thinking and the Israelites' 400-year period of slavery in Egypt, which shaped their way of life and worship. The speaker points out that the Israelites lacked a true culture and religion until Moses led them out of Egypt and toward the promised land. The fellowship offering in the Old Testament is discussed as a means for people to come together and offer thanks to God, a theme that continues into the New Testament.
Key Takeaways:
- The cultural and historical context of the Old Testament is crucial for understanding its teachings. The rituals and practices, such as the fellowship offering, may seem foreign to us but were integral to the worship of the Israelites. By studying these contexts, we gain a deeper appreciation for the continuity and evolution of worship practices throughout history.
- Fellowship is a powerful expression of unity within the body of Christ. It goes beyond social interaction, serving as a reminder that we share in each other's spiritual triumphs and struggles. This communal aspect of faith is essential for personal growth and the collective pursuit of holiness.
- Walking in the light, as described in 1 John 1:5-7, is a call to live intentionally in God's truth. It is an invitation to cultivate relationships that reflect God's love and purity. When we align our lives with His instructions, we experience true fellowship with one another and the cleansing power of Jesus' sacrifice.
- Celebrations within the Christian community, such as the Lord's Supper, are not just remembrances of past events but active participations in the ongoing story of redemption. These communal acts of worship connect us with the historical reality of Jesus' sacrifice and the present and future hope it secures.
- Understanding the plight and deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt provides a backdrop for the profound transformation God desires to work in His people. The journey from slavery to freedom is a powerful metaphor for the Christian experience of salvation and the ongoing process of sanctification.
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Leviticus 3:1-2 (NIV)
> "If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect. You are to lay your hand on the head of your offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar."
2. 1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)
> "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
3. Ephesians 1:15-23 (NIV)
> "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions are given in Leviticus 3:1-2 regarding the fellowship offering?
2. According to 1 John 1:5-7, what does it mean to walk in the light, and what is the result of doing so?
3. In Ephesians 1:15-23, what does Paul pray for the believers to receive from God, and why is it significant?
4. How does the speaker describe the Israelites' understanding of worship and their relationship with God during their time in Egypt? ([35:42])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the fellowship offering in Leviticus required such specific rituals and actions? How might these rituals have helped the Israelites understand their relationship with God?
2. What does it mean to have fellowship with one another according to 1 John 1:5-7, and how does walking in the light facilitate this fellowship?
3. How does Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 reflect the concept of fellowship as described in the sermon? What is the connection between knowing God better and experiencing fellowship?
4. The speaker mentioned that the Israelites had no true culture or religion until Moses led them out of Egypt. How did the instructions in Leviticus help shape their identity and worship practices? ([36:28])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own understanding of fellowship. How does it compare to the deeper, more intentional fellowship described in the sermon? ([50:12])
2. The speaker emphasized the importance of communal celebration, such as the Lord's Supper. How can you actively participate in and contribute to communal celebrations in your church? ([21:37])
3. Walking in the light involves living intentionally in God's truth. What specific steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with God's instructions? ([55:38])
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of the Old Testament. How can studying these contexts deepen your appreciation for the Bible and its teachings? ([40:08])
5. The speaker shared a personal story about a humorous encounter with budgies to illustrate different approaches to church and worship. How do you approach church and worship, and what changes might you make to draw closer to Jesus Christ? ([28:46])
6. Consider the concept of fellowship as sharing in each other's spiritual triumphs and struggles. How can you support someone in your small group or church community who is currently facing a challenge? ([50:55])
7. The journey from slavery to freedom for the Israelites is a powerful metaphor for the Christian experience of salvation. How does this metaphor resonate with your own spiritual journey, and what steps can you take to continue growing in your faith? ([36:28])
Devotional
Day 1: Context Shapes Our Worship
Understanding the Old Testament's cultural and historical context enriches our appreciation of ancient worship practices and their significance for us today. The rituals and offerings, such as those described in Leviticus, may seem distant, but they lay the foundation for our current expressions of faith. By recognizing the continuity of worship from past to present, believers can deepen their connection to the sacred narrative and find relevance in ancient traditions. [07:40]
Ezra 3:11 - "With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid."
Reflection: How does understanding the historical context of biblical worship practices change your perspective on modern worship?
Day 2: Unity in the Body of Christ
Fellowship within the church is a profound expression of unity, reflecting our shared experiences of faith, including both triumphs and struggles. This spiritual kinship is a vital component of God's plan for holiness, encouraging believers to support one another in their walk with Christ. True fellowship fosters growth and strengthens the collective pursuit of a holy life. [07:40]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth and unity of your church community?
Day 3: Walking in God's Truth
Living intentionally in God's truth involves cultivating relationships that reflect His love and purity. Walking in the light, as described in 1 John, is a commitment to aligning one's life with divine instructions, which leads to genuine fellowship and the experience of Jesus' cleansing power. This intentional living is a daily choice to embrace God's truth in every aspect of life. [07:40]
2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to walk more intentionally in God's truth and light?
Day 4: Celebrating Redemption Together
Christian celebrations, such as the Lord's Supper, are communal acts that connect us to the historical reality of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope it brings. These gatherings are not mere remembrances but active participations in the story of redemption, uniting us in the ongoing narrative of God's saving work. Through these shared celebrations, we affirm our collective identity and mission in Christ. [07:40]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper deepen your understanding of and connection to the Christian community?
Day 5: Transformation from Slavery to Freedom
The Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land mirrors the Christian experience of salvation and sanctification. Understanding this transformation highlights the profound change God desires for His people. The fellowship offerings of the Old Testament were an expression of gratitude and unity, themes that carry into the New Testament and our lives today. [07:40]
Galatians 5:1 - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what ways has your life changed since embracing the freedom found in Christ, and how can you live out that freedom more fully?
Quotes
"We celebrate the start of a year, we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays that roll around once a year, but always there is a reason for our celebration." [20:21] (Download)
"Some celebrations are for events, some are for persons; ours is for both. It is the celebration both of the crucifixion and the crucified." [22:16] (Download)
"Fellowship is the celebration of what Christ has done in us, standing together as one to remember our collective victory in Him." [50:12] (Download)
"God is light, in him there is no Darkness at all. That's what Holiness means. If we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his son purifies us from all sin." [56:18] (Download)
"God gives an instruction to the Israelites... it's something they would do as a people together to celebrate who God is and what God has done." [42:31] (Download)
"The offering itself gives us an idea of what Fellowship is... anytime that there was a victory, anytime that there was something great that happened... there was a fellowship offering that was meant to be given. It is associated with celebration." [45:32] (Download)
"Fellowship is done through intentional prayer and relationship building. It requires us to build intentional relationships both inside and outside the church." [52:13] (Download)
"The same power that God used to save you is the same power that he used to raise Christ from the dead. That's the power that's at play in you." [48:53] (Download)
"Help us to celebrate well, help us to be intentional... Forgive us when we fail, help us to walk in the light and purify us of all sin, for it's in Jesus' holy name we pray." [57:37] (Download)
"You see, there's this book of the Bible it's called Leviticus and it's a book that nobody likes to spend any time in because in it we get a lot of descriptions of really weird things." [31:59] (Download)
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