Sunday Worship - October 12, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Call to Holiness—Set Apart for His Purpose

To be holy means to be set apart, unique, and different, just as God is holy. God’s people are called to reflect His holiness in the world, living lives that are distinct from the surrounding culture. This call is not just about following rules, but about embodying the very character of God, who desires a people for Himself who will reflect His nature to others. Holiness is not an abstract concept; it is a way of life that demonstrates God’s presence and purpose in and through His people. [32:10]

Leviticus 19:2 (ESV)
“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you sense God calling you to be “set apart” from the world this week, and what is one concrete step you can take today to reflect His holiness?

Day 2: The Law’s Purpose—Exposing Our Need for a Savior

The law is good, but it cannot save; instead, it reveals the brokenness and sinfulness of the human heart, showing us our need for a Savior. When we encounter God’s commands, we realize our inability to keep them perfectly, which drives us to seek Christ, the one who fulfills the law on our behalf. The law convicts, exposes, and ultimately points us to the grace and salvation found in Jesus, reminding us that we cannot save ourselves but are wholly dependent on God’s mercy. [38:28]

Romans 7:7 (ESV)
“What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’”

Reflection: When was the last time God’s Word revealed a hidden area of sin in your life, and how did that realization lead you to seek Jesus’ forgiveness and help?

Day 3: Christ Fulfills the Law—The End of Ceremonial Requirements

Jesus is the ultimate high priest and the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling all the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. Through His once-for-all offering, He has made a way for all people to be reconciled to God, rendering the old system of sacrifices and rituals obsolete. In Christ, the barriers that once separated people from God and from one another are broken down, and we are invited into a new covenant of grace, where forgiveness and access to God are freely given through faith in Jesus. [48:10]

Hebrews 10:14, 18 (ESV)
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified… Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus has completely fulfilled the requirements for your forgiveness change the way you approach God in prayer and worship today?

Day 4: The Enduring Goodness of God’s Moral Law

God’s moral law, rooted in His unchanging character, remains binding and serves as a guide for holy living. These commandments are not just good ideas for society, but are the very qualities of God Himself, and as His image-bearers, we are called to strive for them. Though we often fall short, the moral law continues to point us to Christ, who both fulfills the law and empowers us to live in unity with God and our neighbors. [52:23]

Exodus 20:1-17 (ESV)
And God spoke all these words, saying,
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Reflection: Which commandment do you find most challenging to live out right now, and what is one way you can intentionally seek God’s help to grow in that area this week?

Day 5: Love as the Fulfillment of the Law

The heart of God’s law is love—loving God with all that you are and loving your neighbor as yourself. True obedience is not just about external conformity, but about a transformed heart that seeks the good of others and honors God above all. In Christ, love becomes the fulfillment of the law, and as we receive His love, we are empowered to extend it to those around us, even when it is difficult. [57:50]

Romans 13:8-10 (ESV)
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Reflection: Who is one person you find it difficult to love right now, and what is one practical way you can show them Christlike love this week?

Sermon Summary

Leviticus often feels like a daunting book, full of laws and rituals that seem distant from our everyday lives. Yet, at its heart, Leviticus reveals a God who longs to dwell with His people, providing a way for sinful humanity to live in the presence of a holy God. The story picks up after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, where God establishes a conditional covenant with them at Sinai. This covenant, based on obedience, quickly exposes the people’s inability to keep it, highlighting the chasm between God’s holiness and human sinfulness. Leviticus, then, is God’s gracious response—He gives laws, rituals, and a moral code to make relationship possible, to set His people apart, and to reflect His own holiness to the world.

Holiness, biblically, means being set apart for a specific purpose. God is utterly unique, and He calls His people to mirror that uniqueness in their lives. The sacrificial system, the priesthood, and the rituals of Leviticus all point to the seriousness of sin and the lengths God goes to restore relationship. These systems, however, were never meant to be the end. They foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus Christ, the true High Priest and the perfect Lamb—who fulfills the law and makes a way for us to be reconciled to God.

Understanding the law requires recognizing its three categories: civil (or judicial), ceremonial, and moral. Civil laws governed ancient Israel’s society and are no longer binding, though their principles of justice and care for the vulnerable still shape our own legal systems. Ceremonial laws, which regulated worship, sacrifice, and ritual purity, have been fulfilled in Christ and are obsolete for Christians. But the moral law—rooted in God’s unchanging character—remains binding. The Ten Commandments and other moral imperatives are not just good advice; they are a reflection of God’s very nature, and we are called to embody them.

Yet, the law cannot save us. Its true purpose is to expose our brokenness and drive us to Christ, who alone fulfills the law on our behalf. In Him, we are made righteous, reconciled to God, and empowered to love God and neighbor—the true fulfillment of the law. The law is a gift, not because it saves, but because it continually draws us to the Savior and sends us into the world with His love.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Holiness and Our Calling: Holiness is not merely moral perfection but being set apart for God’s purposes. God’s call to “be holy as I am holy” is an invitation to reflect His uniqueness in a world that desperately needs to see something different. Our lives are meant to be a living testimony to the God who is unlike any other, drawing others to Him through our distinctiveness. [33:09]
2. The Law’s Threefold Purpose: Understanding the law’s categories—civil, ceremonial, and moral—clarifies why some commands are no longer binding while others remain central. Civil laws shaped Israel’s society, ceremonial laws pointed to Christ, and moral laws reveal God’s character. This distinction helps us honor the law’s intent without falling into confusion or legalism. [42:19]
3. Christ Fulfills and Transforms: Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, especially the ceremonial requirements. His once-for-all sacrifice renders the old system obsolete, opening the way for all people—Jew and Gentile alike—to be reconciled to God. In Christ, the barriers are broken down, and we are invited into a new covenant of grace. [47:06]
4. The Law as a Mirror and Guide: The law exposes our sinfulness and reveals our need for a Savior. It cannot save, but it drives us to Christ, who alone can. Even as we strive to keep God’s moral law, we recognize our failures and are drawn again and again to the mercy and forgiveness found in Jesus. [56:53]
5. Love as the Fulfillment of the Law: The heart of God’s law is love—love for God and love for neighbor. All the commandments are summed up in this call to love, which is only possible through the transforming work of Christ in us. As we meditate on God’s law, we are sent into the world to embody His love, justice, and mercy. [57:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:51] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
[30:02] - Context: Exodus to Leviticus
[31:41] - Structure and Theme of Leviticus
[32:10] - Holiness Defined
[33:09] - God’s Holiness and Our Calling
[34:30] - Sacrifice, Atonement, and Jesus
[35:13] - God’s Justice and Covenants
[36:24] - The Challenge of Leviticus
[37:32] - The Law’s Goodness and Its Limits
[42:19] - Three Categories of the Law
[43:48] - Civil Law: Then and Now
[45:53] - Ceremonial Law Fulfilled in Christ
[51:04] - The Enduring Moral Law
[54:23] - Christ Breaks Down Barriers
[56:53] - The Law Drives Us to Christ
[57:50] - Love as the Fulfillment of the Law
[58:56] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Leviticus 19:2 (ESV) — > “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

2. Matthew 5:17 (ESV)
> “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

3. Romans 13:8-10 (ESV)
> “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Observation Questions

According to Leviticus 19:2, what is the reason God gives for calling His people to be holy?
In Matthew 5:17, what does Jesus say about His relationship to the Law and the Prophets?
In Romans 13:8-10, how does Paul summarize the commandments, and what does he say is the fulfillment of the law?
The sermon describes three categories of the law: civil, ceremonial, and moral. What are the main differences between these categories? [[42:19]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that holiness means being “set apart for a specific purpose.” What does it look like for God’s people to be set apart in today’s world? [[33:09]]
Why is it important to understand the difference between civil, ceremonial, and moral laws when reading the Old Testament? How does this help us avoid confusion or legalism? [[42:19]]
The sermon claims that the law “cannot save us” but instead “drives us to Christ.” How does the law reveal our need for a Savior? [[38:28]]
According to the sermon, how does Jesus fulfill the ceremonial law, and what does that mean for how we approach God today? [[47:06]]

Application Questions

The call to “be holy as I am holy” is an invitation to reflect God’s uniqueness. In what areas of your life do you feel most challenged to live differently from the world? What would it look like to be “set apart” in those areas? [[33:09]]
The sermon explains that civil laws are no longer binding, but their principles of justice and care for the vulnerable still matter. Can you think of a situation in your community or workplace where you could stand up for justice or care for someone vulnerable? What might that look like this week? [[43:48]]
Since ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ, we don’t have to follow rituals for forgiveness. How does this truth affect the way you approach God when you’ve sinned or feel distant from Him? [[47:06]]
The moral law is rooted in God’s unchanging character. Is there a specific commandment or moral teaching that you find especially difficult to live out? What steps could you take to grow in that area? [[52:23]]
The sermon says the law is a “mirror” that exposes our sin and drives us to Jesus. When was the last time you felt convicted by God’s Word? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[56:53]]
Paul and Jesus both say that love is the fulfillment of the law. Think of a relationship in your life where it’s hard to show love. What is one practical way you could demonstrate Christlike love to that person this week? [[57:50]]
The law is described as a gift that “sends us into the world with His love.” What is one way you can intentionally reflect God’s love, justice, or mercy in your daily routine this week? [[58:56]]

Sermon Clips

See, the law is good, but it has its limits. It's good, but the law can't save you. That's what Scripture reveals to us. Can't save you. What can't the law do? Sometimes we can understand the law better by understanding what it can't do. It cannot save you. What does the law do? It exposes my heart for what it is, broken and sinful. [00:37:36] (26 seconds) #LawExposesBrokenness

The very nature and principles of these laws are reiterated throughout the New Testament. I did not come to abolish the law, but rather to fulfill it. Jesus himself acknowledges these laws are valid. And in effect you shall have no other gods. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day. Keep it holy. Thou shalt not steal or covet or commit adultery. The crazy thing is that these are still valid. And I can't say the word and big enough. I should have had like blinking and up there. Jesus fulfills the moral law, which we cannot keep. These laws still serve as a guide for living a holy life, for living a life in unity with God and with our neighbor, and we strive to keep them. [00:52:52] (56 seconds) #LawValidInNewTestament

``Jesus satisfies and tears down the wall that divides us from God as well as the wall that divides us from one another. And that is the law that demands payment for sin, the moral law that God demands, the law that we still hold dear and strive to keep. Jesus fills the gap, satisfies the law and saves the sinner. In Christ's blood, we've been brought near, sanctified, cleansed, washed, forgiven. We are new creations, children of God, righteous. That's a legal standing. Righteous before God by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. [00:55:23] (32 seconds) #JesusFulfillsMoralLaw

The law reveals this and it gives us a truth. And it sends us running into the arms of Jesus. Jesus, who gladly and graciously and abundantly forgives sinner and raises the dead. [00:56:53] (16 seconds) #JesusBridgesTheGap

I want to love the Lord and my neighbor well. And so I too see the law, the moral law that God has given us. And it's good because it keeps me ever drawing and longing for and seeking Jesus. It's good. It's good. Wonderfully driving me to Jesus and then sending me into a broken world with the love of God. [00:58:41] (28 seconds) #LoveFulfillsTheLaw

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