Unity, Anointing, and Atonement in Christ

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound significance of unity, anointing, and atonement in our relationship with God, drawing parallels between the Old Testament priesthood and our calling as believers under the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.

I began by expressing gratitude for God's perfect timing, as evidenced by Garen's timely preaching last weekend when I was ill. This served as a reminder that God is always working ahead of us, even when circumstances seem unexpected.

I then delved into the symbolism of anointing with oil, as described in Psalm 133, which speaks of the pleasantness of brothers dwelling in unity. I used the example of beard oil to illustrate the value and purpose of anointing beyond mere aesthetics. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a significant act that set individuals apart for God's service, particularly the priests who stood in the gap between humanity and God.

The anointing of Aaron, the first high priest, and his sons was a powerful act that consecrated them to enter God's holy presence and lead Israel into holiness. This was a necessary step before they could fulfill their roles, which included worshiping God, maintaining purity, and presenting atoning sacrifices for the sins of the people.

I emphasized the concept of atonement, an act of reparation for wrongs committed, which in the context of sin, required the payment of death as its wages. The Old Testament sacrificial system, with its blood sacrifices, was a temporary measure that pointed to the need for a more perfect atonement.

This perfect atonement came through Jesus Christ, our great high priest, who fulfilled the requirements of the law and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Unlike the Levitical priests who offered sacrifices for sins, Jesus became the atonement itself, providing eternal salvation for all who obey Him.

I concluded by encouraging the congregation to embrace our identity as a royal priesthood, consecrated and called to live in harmony with God. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are cleansed, anointed, and clothed in priestly garments, enabling us to minister to one another and pursue holiness. We are built into a spiritual house, offering ourselves in worship not to gain atonement, but because atonement has already been given to us through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests in the Old Testament symbolizes our own consecration as believers. Just as the oil set them apart for God's service, we too are set apart by the Holy Spirit, called to live in unity and peace as a testament to God's desire for a relationship with us. This anointing signifies our sanctification and dedication to God's purposes in our lives. [09:54]

- Atonement is central to our faith, as it represents the reconciliation between God and humanity. The Old Testament sacrifices were a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. His atonement was not just a temporary covering of sins but a complete and final payment, satisfying the requirements of justice and allowing us to enter into a harmonious relationship with God. [14:03]

- Jesus Christ, our great high priest, not only presented the atonement but also became the atonement. His sacrifice was unique because it was once and for all, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical priests. This profound truth should lead us to a deeper reverence for Christ's work on the cross and a commitment to live in obedience to Him. [20:15]

- As believers, we are called to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation set apart for God's purposes. This calling is not just a title but a way of life that involves pursuing holiness, embracing harmony with God, and ministering to one another. Our lives should reflect the transformation that comes from being in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. [24:58]

- Our worship and devotion to God are not efforts to attain atonement but responses to the atonement already given to us through Jesus. This perspective shifts our focus from trying to earn God's favor to living in gratitude for the grace we have already received. As a chosen race and a royal priesthood, our lives are to proclaim the praises of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. [22:58]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 133:1-3 - "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."
2. Leviticus 8:1-6 - "The Lord said to Moses, 'Bring Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast, and gather the entire assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting.' Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Moses said to the assembly, 'This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.' Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water."
3. Hebrews 5:7-9 - "During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 133 compare the unity of brothers to, and what is the significance of this comparison? [07:52]
2. According to Leviticus 8:1-6, what items were required for the consecration of Aaron and his sons, and what was the purpose of this consecration? [09:54]
3. In Hebrews 5:7-9, what actions did Jesus take during His life on earth, and what was the result of His obedience? [20:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Old Testament priests in relation to the people and God? [12:22]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the anointing of Aaron and his sons in Leviticus 8 symbolize the consecration of believers today? [09:54]
2. What is the significance of Jesus being both the high priest and the atonement itself, as described in Hebrews 5:7-9? [20:15]
3. How does the concept of atonement in the Old Testament foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? [14:03]
4. What does it mean for believers to be a "royal priesthood" and how should this identity influence their daily lives? [24:58]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced unity within your church or community. How did it impact your relationship with God and others? [07:52]
2. In what ways can you actively pursue holiness and consecration in your daily life, similar to the anointing of Aaron and his sons? [09:54]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for Christ's work on the cross in your personal worship and devotion? [20:15]
4. What practical steps can you take to live out your calling as part of a "royal priesthood" in your interactions with others? [24:58]
5. How does understanding that atonement has already been given through Jesus change your approach to worship and service? [22:58]
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to embrace harmony with God. What specific actions will you take to address this? [24:58]
7. Think of a person in your life who needs to hear about the atonement provided by Jesus. How can you share this message with them this week? [14:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Sanctification Through Divine Anointing
The anointing of Aaron and his sons in the Old Testament was a profound act that set them apart for God's service. This sacred ritual, involving the pouring of oil, was symbolic of their consecration and dedication to the divine purposes laid out for them. In a similar vein, believers today are anointed by the Holy Spirit, which signifies our sanctification and the call to live in unity and peace. This anointing is not just a formality but a transformative process that marks one's life, indicating a special relationship with God and a commitment to fulfill His will. It is a reminder that one is chosen and equipped to serve in God's kingdom, reflecting His light and love in the world. [09:54]

"Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." (1 Samuel 16:13 ESV)

Reflection: How does the knowledge that you are anointed by the Holy Spirit change the way you view your daily interactions and responsibilities?

Day 2: Atonement: The Bridge to Reconciliation
Atonement is a cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing the reconciliation between God and humanity. The Old Testament sacrifices served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that was to come through Jesus Christ. These sacrifices were a temporary measure, pointing to the need for a more perfect atonement. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not just a temporary covering of sins but a complete and final payment. It satisfied the requirements of justice and opened the way for a harmonious relationship with God. This act of atonement allows believers to live in the freedom of forgiveness and the assurance of eternal salvation. [14:03]

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." (Leviticus 17:11 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace and live out the freedom that comes from the atonement provided by Jesus Christ?

Day 3: Reverence for Christ's Unique Sacrifice
Jesus Christ, as the great high priest, not only presented the atonement but also became the atonement through His unique and once-for-all sacrifice. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical priests, Jesus' offering was sufficient for all time. This profound truth should inspire a deeper reverence for Christ's work on the cross and a commitment to live in obedience to Him. It is a call to recognize the magnitude of His love and the depth of the grace that has been extended to us. Believers are invited to respond to this sacrifice by living lives that honor and reflect the ultimate price that was paid for their redemption. [20:15]

"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:12 ESV)

Reflection: How does the understanding of Jesus' unique sacrifice influence your personal worship and daily commitment to Him?

Day 4: A Royal Priesthood in Daily Life
Believers are called to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation set apart for God's purposes. This calling is not merely a title but a way of life that involves pursuing holiness, embracing harmony with God, and ministering to one another. It is a transformative identity that should permeate every aspect of one's life, from personal relationships to public service. As members of this royal priesthood, individuals are empowered to proclaim the truths of God and to live out the transformation that comes from being in a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. This identity shapes how one interacts with the world, striving to be a beacon of God's love and grace. [24:58]

"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5 ESV)

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can fulfill your role as a member of the royal priesthood in your community and daily life?

Day 5: Worship as a Response to Atonement
Worship and devotion to God are not efforts to attain atonement but are responses to the atonement already given to us through Jesus. This perspective shifts the focus from trying to earn God's favor to living in gratitude for the grace already received. As a chosen race and a royal priesthood, believers are called to proclaim the praises of the One who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. This understanding transforms worship from a duty to a joyous celebration of the salvation and relationship that have been freely given. It encourages a life of worship that is genuine, heartfelt, and reflective of the profound gift of atonement. [22:58]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily worship as a response to the atonement you have received in Christ?

Quotes

"Even when things don't go the way we expect them to, or want them to, God is always moving in advance of us. God knew that I was going to end up with the flu last weekend." [05:29] ( | | )

"With the Old Testament and scripture, oil was used for more than just making us look or smell good. And though it costs much, the worth is placed not in the oil or in the one anointing, although the anointer must have authority to do so." [07:52] ( | | )

"Before Aaron, who was the first high priest, and his sons could stand in that gap, they had to be made holy in order to enter God's holy presence and to lead Israel into holiness." [09:54] ( | | )

"In this way, the priests fulfilled their threefold roles to worship God and lead Israel to worship God, to maintain purity before the Lord and to present atoning sacrifices for Israel's sins." [12:22] ( | | )

"The Old Testament is not the story of this vengeful God, it's the story of his God who longs to be with his people and his people continue, continue, continue to reject him and his striving and his working to bridge that gap so that humanity can be with him forevermore." [14:03] ( | | )

"Jesus said in Matthew 5 17 that he did not come to abolish the law of the prophets, but to fulfill them. His sacrifice of blood on the cross fulfilled atonement's requirements, returning us to harmony with God." [20:15] ( | | )

"Our great high priest is not just a presenter of atonement as the Levitical priests were. Our high priest is our atonement, the source of eternal salvation." [22:58] ( | | )

"Thanks to the grace of Jesus, we can actually be a kingdom of priests. Thanks to the atoning sacrifice of his blood, we can be God's holy nation." [24:58] ( | | )

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Transcript
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