sermons | study
These are sermons preached during our Sunday worship services. (Recordings were not always successful, so there are gaps in the postings.)
This passage completes the first major unit in the book of Leviticus, in which the Lord gave the Israelites instructions for the primary sacrifices to be used in their worship: the ascending sacrifice, the tribute sacrifice, the peace or fellowship sacrifice, and the sacrifices for purification and reparation.
Leviticus 5 continues the Lord’s instructions concerning the sacrificial system that is in many ways central to Israel’s worship and preparatory to the coming of Jesus as the Messiah.
In this chapter, the Lord gives instructions to the congregation of Israel concerning what are best called purifying or sanctifying sacrifices, used in cases of inadvertent violations of ceremonial laws, in rites of purification, and in ceremonies of ordination and consecration.
Leviticus chapters one through three share common themes, but at the same time describe three different categories of sacrifices: the ascending (often translated burnt) sacrifices, the tribute (sometimes called grain) sacrifices, and the peace offerings, or fellowship sacrifices. Each of these categories of sacrifices highlight different aspects of truth concerning the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
Chapter two of Leviticus continues the book’s theme of drawing near to the Lord in worship and service.
Leviticus opens with instructions concerning what is literally called the ascending, or ascension sacrifice. In the drama of this offering, we can discern many important truths.
The first five books of the Bible form one unit, more like chapters in a book than separate books. The closing verses of Exodus form an introduction to Leviticus. At the same time, this text links back to Genesis chapter three and has connections with the New Testament as well.
Owing to a software problem during our worship service, the sermon did not record properly, so this is a re-recording done later. I find it difficult to preach to an empty sanctuary; I think preaching is meant to be part of the worship of a congregation.
Using John chapter eight, and particularly verse fifty-six as an introduction, we consider the ascending, or ascension sacrifice that is at the center of the dramatic and memorable narrative of Genesis chapter twenty-two.
R. C. Sproul said and if he was imprisoned and could keep only one verse of Scripture with him, it would be Genesis 15:17. It is certainly true that we have in this text an amazing covenantal revelation from the Lord!
Beginning a sermon series on biblical sacrifices, this passage is the first one that makes specific mention of what is commonly called a “burnt sacrifice.” There is profound meaning for this ancient form of worship.
