Take Time to Be Holy
Overview of Leviticus
I. Introduction
A. Time for Holiness?
1. The Preacher’s Lesson was on Holiness.
a) He asked the Song Leader to choose songs around that theme.
b) He led Holy, Holy, Holy
c) Then More Holiness Give Me and Holy Father, Loving Master.
d) Just before the sermon, he noticed the song service was going a little long.
e) He announced the next song – Take Time to be Holy and then said, “We will sing the first verse only.”
2. Holiness is a lifestyle that is demanded by God.
a) Leviticus 19:2 – “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
b) 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
c) Hebrews 12:14 – “Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
3. Holiness Defined
a) The Old Testament word, that is translated holy, has a primary meaning of pure and devoted. It has a secondary meaning of being set apart or marked off.”
b) The New Testament word, that is translated holy, fundamentally signifies separation. In its Biblical use it implies separation from sin and dedication to God.
B. God’s Book on Holiness
1. The Book of Leviticus
a) The Original Hebrew Title – “And The Lord Called”
b) Its General Theme is Holiness
c) Its primary purpose – “Fellowship With God.”
d) Though written to the Levites, it applies to the life of a New Testament Christian perhaps more than any Old Testament book.
2. Leviticus references five basic areas that apply to a life of holiness.
a) Tonight we will begin our study of Leviticus by looking at these areas.
b) Over the next few weeks, we will examine different aspects of holy living.
II. Five Areas of Holiness in Leviticus
A. A Holy God
1. Holiness is the Essence of God.
a) Not just the absence of defilement, but an active and perfect nature devoted to accomplishing His will.
b) God is devoted to His plan, will, way, word and people – Exodus 20:2, Ezekiel 37:27
c) That which God has called holy is not be treated as common, but as set apart, devoted, and pure
d) Under the Old Law, the Sabbath was holy – Exodus 16:23
e) The priesthood was to be holy – Leviticus 21:7-8
f) The tithe was to be holy – Leviticus 27:30
2. God’s revelation of Holiness
a) Holy Declaration – Leviticus 19:2
b) Holy Presence – Exodus 19:14-25
c) Holy Law to govern His people – Exodus 20:1ff
d) His wonders in Egypt – Exodus 15:11
e) There is no doubt that God is pure in all ways, separated from all evil and completely devoted to His will.
B. Holy Priesthood
1. The Old Testament Priesthood.
a) Selected only from the tribe of Levi – Numbers 3:5-10 (Set aside Servants)
b) Dedicated to the Lord as a substitute for the firstborn males of the Israelites – Exodus 13:1-2, Numbers 3:12-13, 44-45 (Sacrificial Substitutes)
c) Appointed to the Work of the Lord - Leviticus 8-9 (Serving Others on Behalf of the Lord), Being properly cleansed, properly clothed, and properly anointed.
d) Committed to Obedience – Leviticus 10 (Submissive)
2. The New Testament Priesthood
a) God’s Old Testament people had a priesthood, but God’s New Testament people are a priesthood – 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6
b) Selected by God – Ephesians 1:4
c) Washed in Christ – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
d) Clothed in Righteousness – 2 Corinthians 5:21
e) Anointed by God – 1 John 2:20, 27
f) Offering Spiritual Sacrifices to God – Romans 12:1
g) Having access to God – Hebrews 10:19-20
C. Holy People
1. God’s Desire for His people
a) Exodus 19:6 – “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priest and a holy nation…”
b) Leviticus 10:9-10 – “…It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy and clean and unclean…”
2. God’s Old Testament Design For Holiness
a) Pure Foods – Chapter 11
b) Pure Bodies – Chapters 12-15 (Washings, Leprosy, Cleanliness)
c) Pure Sacrifices – Chapters 16-17 (Day of Atonement, Power of Blood)
d) Pure Morals – Chapters 18-20 (Sexuality, Idolatry, Community, Penalties)
e) Pure Priesthood – Chapters 21-22
3. God’s Different People
a) 2 Corinthians 6:17 (from Isaiah 52:11) – “Come out form them and be separate says the Lord.”
b) As God’s different people we are to declare Him by our actions – 1 Peter 2:9
D. A Holy Land
1. A Promised Land
a) God promised a land to the nation of Israel – Genesis 12:7, 15:7-8
b) God prepared His people to enter the Land – Leviticus 18-27
c) God presented the Land to His people – Joshua 2:24
2. Preparing the People for the Land
a) Avoid the law and lifestyle of the Canaanites – Leviticus 18:3
b) Adhere to the Law of God – Leviticus 18:4-5
c) Do not conform even to the outward appearance – Leviticus 19:27-28
d) Respect your elders – Leviticus 19:32
e) Be kind to strangers – Leviticus 19:33-34
f) To disobey God was to defile the land – Leviticus 18:24-25
3. A Heavenly Land
a) No longer a physical land and covenant, but a heavenly country that we dwell in – Hebrews 11:13-16
b) Just as with Israel sin defiles a land.
c) Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
E. A Holy Savoir
1. Throughout this book, Jesus is shadowed and foretold.
a) He is seen in the offerings as a willing, atoning, and reconciling sacrifice for mankind.
b) Jesus is seen as God’s anointed Holy One
c) Jesus is seen as the High Priest of God that serves and the mediator for God and man – 1 Timothy 2:5-6
d) Jesus is seen as the pure and undefiled Son of God – Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21
e) Jesus is seen as the cleansing agent for man’s sin – 1 John 1:7
f) Jesus is seen as a servant of God – Matthew 20:28
2. To miss Jesus in Leviticus is miss the point of the Book.
a) The main focus of the book is fellowship with God through holy living.
b) There is no fellowship with God without the holiness of Jesus.
III. Conclusion
A. The Purpose of Holy Living – Fellowship with God
1. How to Obtain Fellowship with God
a) By Dedication through Sacrifices
b) By Mediation through the Priesthood
c) By Separation through Morality
d) By Consecration through the Feast and Symbols in the Tabernacle.
2. Today this is done…
a) Through the atoning work of Jesus.
b) And our obedience to the Lord.
B. Invitation
