Understanding Offerings: A Journey to Christ's Fulfillment

Devotional

Day 1: Acknowledging and Confessing Our Trespasses

The trespass offering in Leviticus 7 underscores the necessity of recognizing and confessing our sins to God. Trespassing, or unlawfully crossing a boundary set by God, requires atonement. This offering involved the confession of sin and the sprinkling of blood around the altar, symbolizing the need for reconciliation with God. The act of offering the best parts of oneself to God, represented by the burning of the fat, signifies dedication and repentance. This practice reminds us of the importance of bringing our best to God and seeking His forgiveness for our transgressions. [03:28]

Leviticus 5:5-6 (ESV): "When he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin."

Reflection: What specific sin or boundary have you crossed that you need to confess to God today? How can you offer your best to Him in repentance?

Day 2: Unity in Christ Through the Peace Offering

The peace offering, with its inclusion of both unleavened and leavened bread, beautifully illustrates the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ. This offering was often made as an expression of thanksgiving and emphasized the importance of a fresh and current relationship with God. The requirement to consume the meat within a specific timeframe symbolizes the need for a continual, vibrant relationship with the Lord. This offering reminds us that Jesus has broken down the dividing wall, bringing peace and reconciliation to all who believe. [15:06]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and reconciliation in your community today, reflecting the peace that Christ has brought to us?

Day 3: Receiving God's Cleansing Grace

The requirement for ceremonial purity before partaking in the peace offering teaches us that we must first receive God's cleansing grace before enjoying His peace. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to examine themselves before participating in communion. It highlights the importance of approaching God with a clean heart and the necessity of His grace in our lives. This cleansing allows us to fully experience the peace and relationship with God that He desires for us. [23:02]

1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to examine your heart and seek God's cleansing grace before approaching Him in worship or communion?

Day 4: Offering Our Best to God

The prohibition against eating the fat and blood of animals underlines the importance of offering our best to God. The fat, representing abundance and energy, belongs to God, reminding us that all good things in our lives should be dedicated to Him. This act of giving our best to God is a form of worship and acknowledgment of His sovereignty over our lives. It challenges us to consider what we hold dear and whether we are willing to offer it to God as a sign of our devotion and gratitude. [29:13]

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can offer your best to God today, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty?

Day 5: Resting in Christ's Finished Work

Jesus Christ fulfills the entire sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. His one perfect sacrifice on the cross brings us peace with God, atones for our sins, and sanctifies us. We are called to rest in His finished work, trusting in His salvation and rejoicing in His grace. This fulfillment in Christ invites us to cease striving for our righteousness and to embrace the peace and assurance that comes from His completed work on our behalf. [46:00]

Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Reflection: How can you intentionally rest in the finished work of Christ today, allowing His peace and grace to permeate your life?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the Book of Leviticus, we have reached chapter 7, which concludes a significant section detailing the various offerings and sacrifices that the Israelites were to perform under the Old Covenant. These instructions, given to Moses at Mount Sinai, were crucial for the Israelites' worship and relationship with God. In Leviticus 7, the focus shifts to specific instructions for the priests regarding the offerings, particularly the trespass and peace offerings.

The trespass offering, as described, was a response to a specific kind of sin—trespassing, which is the unlawful crossing of a boundary set by God. This offering required the confession of sin and the sprinkling of blood around the altar, symbolizing the need for atonement and reconciliation with God. The fat of the offering, considered precious and representing stored energy, was to be burned on the altar, signifying the offering of one's best to God.

The peace offering, on the other hand, was often made as an expression of thanksgiving. It included both unleavened and leavened bread, symbolizing the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ, as described in Ephesians 2. The peace offering emphasized the importance of a fresh and current relationship with God, as the meat had to be consumed within a specific timeframe to prevent spoilage and to symbolize the need for a continual, vibrant relationship with the Lord.

The chapter also highlights the importance of ceremonial purity, as only those who were clean could partake in the peace offering. This underscores the principle that we must receive God's cleansing grace before enjoying His peace. The chapter concludes with a reminder of the severe penalties for disobedience, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God.

Ultimately, these offerings and sacrifices point to the fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling every aspect of the Old Covenant sacrificial system. Through His one perfect sacrifice, we are sanctified and brought into a lasting peace with God. This calls us to rest in His finished work, rejoicing in the salvation He has provided.

Key Takeaways

1. The trespass offering highlights the importance of acknowledging and confessing our sins to God. Trespassing against God's boundaries requires atonement, and the offering of the best parts of ourselves to Him symbolizes our dedication and repentance. [03:28]
2. The peace offering, with its inclusion of both unleavened and leavened bread, beautifully illustrates the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ. This offering reminds us that Jesus has broken down the dividing wall, bringing peace and reconciliation to all who believe. [15:06]
3. The requirement for ceremonial purity before partaking in the peace offering teaches us that we must first receive God's cleansing grace before enjoying His peace. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where we are called to examine ourselves before participating in communion. [23:02]
4. The prohibition against eating the fat and blood of animals underlines the importance of offering our best to God. The fat, representing abundance and energy, belongs to God, reminding us that all good things in our lives should be dedicated to Him. [29:13]
5. Jesus Christ fulfills the entire sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. His one perfect sacrifice on the cross brings us peace with God, atones for our sins, and sanctifies us. We are called to rest in His finished work, trusting in His salvation and rejoicing in His grace. [46:00]
** [46:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Overview of Leviticus 7
[01:10] - Instructions to the Priests
[02:15] - The Trespass Offering
[03:09] - Understanding Trespass
[03:28] - Confession and Atonement
[04:45] - Offering the Fat
[06:05] - Priestly Portions
[08:21] - Allegorizing Scripture
[10:48] - The Peace Offering
[12:21] - Thanksgiving and Bread
[15:06] - Unity in Christ
[17:54] - Eating the Peace Offering
[21:34] - Ceremonial Purity
[27:28] - Prohibition of Fat and Blood
[33:00] - The Wave and Heave Offerings
[39:58] - Priestly Portions and Rights
[43:27] - Summary of Sacrificial System
[46:00] - Fulfillment in Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Leviticus 7

Bible Reading:

Leviticus 7:1-38
Ephesians 2:14-16
Hebrews 10:12

Observation Questions:

What specific instructions were given to the priests regarding the trespass offering in Leviticus 7? How does this differ from the general instructions given to the Israelites? [01:10]
In the sermon, what is the significance of the fat being burned on the altar during the trespass offering? [05:34]
How does the peace offering in Leviticus 7 symbolize the unity of Jew and Gentile, as explained in the sermon? [15:06]
What were the consequences for someone who ate the peace offering while ceremonially unclean, according to Leviticus 7? [23:39]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the trespass offering in Leviticus 7 emphasize the importance of confession and atonement in the believer's life today? [03:28]
In what ways does the peace offering, with its inclusion of both unleavened and leavened bread, illustrate the breaking down of barriers between different groups of people in Christ? [15:06]
What does the requirement for ceremonial purity before partaking in the peace offering teach us about the nature of our relationship with God? [23:02]
How does the prohibition against eating the fat and blood of animals in Leviticus 7 relate to the idea of offering our best to God? [29:13]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you knowingly crossed a boundary set by God. How did you seek reconciliation, and what steps can you take to prevent similar trespasses in the future? [03:28]
The peace offering symbolizes unity in Christ. How can you actively work towards breaking down barriers and promoting unity within your community or church? [15:06]
Before participating in communion, we are called to examine ourselves. What steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually prepared for this sacrament? [23:02]
Consider the areas of abundance in your life. How can you dedicate these "fatty portions" to God in a way that honors Him? [29:13]
Jesus is the fulfillment of the entire sacrificial system. How does this truth impact your daily walk with God, and how can you rest more fully in His finished work? [46:00]
The sermon emphasized the importance of a fresh and current relationship with God. What practical steps can you take to ensure your relationship with God remains vibrant and not reliant on past experiences? [21:16]
How can you apply the principle of offering your best to God in your daily life, whether in your work, relationships, or personal growth? [29:13]

Sermon Clips

The trespass offering must begin with the confession of sin, but here now in chap 7:2 we're told that when the sacrifice is made, the blood of the trespass offering he shall sprinkle all around on the altar. The blood of the trespass offering did not need to be brought into the Tabernacle or the temple; it could simply be sprinkled all around on the altar. [00:03:28]

The fat being both regarded as precious because fat was a rare commodity—their animals back then were much more lean than what we are used to in the modern world—but also let's remember fat is sort of stored energy. It represents the work, the energy of the animal that gets offered unto the Lord. [00:05:42]

The peace offering was normally the sacrifice of an animal that's described back in chapter 3, and it was often made for a Thanksgiving as an expression of gratitude. And in that regard, verse 12 says that he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil. You see, along with the animal sacrifice of the peace offering mentioned back in chapter 3, there was to be made an offering of some kind of baked goods. [00:12:21]

The peace offering was accompanied by the priest holding before God unleavened bread in one hand and leavened bread in the other. From a New Covenant perspective, a New Testament perspective, we can connect this to the fact that Jesus Christ has made peace between Jew, the unleavened, and Gentile, the leaven. He broke down the wall that previously separated them. [00:14:32]

The Flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for Thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until morning. But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offers a sacrifice, but on the next day the remainder of it also may be eaten. [00:17:54]

Ceremonial Purity was required of anyone who wanted to participate in the Fellowship meal that was associated with the peace offering. This illustrates a principle that we cannot enjoy the peace of God until we have received his cleansing Grace. You need to receive God's cleansing Grace, the Forgiveness of sins first, then you may enjoy the peace of God and true fellowship with him. [00:23:02]

The prohibition against eating the fatty portions only applied to sacrificed animals and to those animals which were otherwise forbidden for eating. Leviticus 22 will later forbid the eating of any kind of animal that's killed by another animal, such as one torn by wild beasts. So these were already prohibited portions of meat. [00:29:13]

The blood represents the life of the animal or the person. We're going to see that later on Leviticus chapter 17, and the life belongs to God. Now again, we're not just talking about sort of bloody portions of meat, you know, sort of a rare kind of meat. We're talking about the separated blood of the animal that was not to be eaten under the old Covenant. [00:30:47]

Moses received all these commands, all these laws for Israel on Mount Si, and he brought them down to the people of Israel. These were an additional and an important part of the old Covenant, which was first established with Israel in the wilderness of Si. [00:44:48]

We can't leave it without examining how Jesus Christ fulfilled the sacrificial system. I'm going to refer to many New Testament passages here, but as a summary of it, we have Hebrews 10:12, which says this: But this man, referring to Jesus Christ, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. [00:46:00]

Jesus fulfilled the peace offering described in Leviticus chapter 3. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Yet what Jesus did on the cross brings us into peace with God and enables us to enjoy that peace just like the peace offering. [00:47:56]

Jesus Christ has fulfilled every sacrifice for his people. To quote an old Puritan commentator named Jukes, he said this: "He is the burnt offering, the meat offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering for his people. By his one oblation of himself once offered, he has stood in all these different relations." [00:48:51]

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Understanding Offerings: A Journey to Christ's Fulfillment

Devotional

Day 1: Acknowledging and Confessing Our Trespasses

Day 2: Unity in Christ Through the Peace Offering

Day 3: Receiving God's Cleansing Grace

Day 4: Offering Our Best to God

Day 5: Resting in Christ's Finished Work

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding Offerings: A Journey to Christ's Fulfillment

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