Your Day of Atonement

21/06/2020 11:12

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Date: 18 June, 2020

Text: Leveticus 16

Title: Approaching God

 

Introduction:

 

ill. Reading Thomas Chalmers Memoirs - Interesting to go back 200 years in human history.

Dr. Chalmers went with a delegation from the church of Scotland to meet the new king.

As they were presented before the king: 

They went in bowing as they went.

They backed out of the room bowing as they went.

exp. Even for a great man of God, you could sense his desire to rightly approach his earthly king.

 

our text: this morning Levitcus 16 is about 1 man - chosen in Israel - to approach God.

HOW CAUTIOUSLY HE NEEDED TO APPROACH GOD. 

HE NEEDED TO APPROACH GOD CORRECTLY.

 

- The man is the High Priest of Israel.

- The day is Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement - This was an annual event.

Leviticus 16:29  And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

ill. Jews who follow Judaism (legalism - righteousness by following the law) instead of Christianity - still observe Yom Kippur - This year, Yom Kippur starts during the evening of Tuesday 8 October and ends during the evening of Wednesday 9 October. The fast, which is observed for approximately 25 hours, starts at 6.08pm and ends on 7.07pm the following day.

- The place - is the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.

- If you are unfamiliar with the Tabernacle it was a large tent.

- Only the priests were allowed into the tabernacle.

- in the outer court  - Altar of sacrifice where burnt offerings were offered.

- Laver - a large basin of water - on a pedestal used for cleansing

- Inside the tent were two additional rooms.

- The holy place - Altar of incense, 7 branched lampstand, table of bread

- The most holy place - Ark of the Covenant - gold box - Aaron's rod, mannah

Mercy Seat - gold lid with two cherubim above it.

- God's glory appeared in the Most Holy Place above the mercy seat.

 

Def. Atonement - "the reconciliation of God and mankind through Jesus Christ." "At One -ment"

 

This was the most important day on the Jewish Calendar.

The High Priest had the most significant earthly role to play.

 

 from our text in chapter 16:

30  For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

exp. This was not just another day - on this day (for yet another year) God would deal with the sin that separates him from his people. THE HIGH PRIEST HAD TO GET THIS RIGHT.

31  It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

 exp. Even the people - had to fast and show remorse for their sins. It was a law that was in force up until the crucifixion of Jesus Christ - the final sacrifice.

32  And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:

 exp. High Priests would die and another high priest would have to be appointed.

Hebrews 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

33  And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

34  And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

 exp. This continued from Moses (somewhere around 14th century BC) up until Jesus Christ. Christ fulfilled it eternally - once and for all.

 

now: Imagine that you 

- are from the tribe of Levi (Levite) 

- and that you are the son of the High Priest (a descendant of Aaron). 

-Your priesthood begins at 30 years of age. 

- At some point you become the high priest and you are preparing to enter into the HOLY OF HOLIES for the first time.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU BE THINKING ABOUT AS YOUR PREPARED TO APPROACH GOD?

 

As we consider this passage this morning - we are reminded that....

-WE OUGHT TO APPROACH GOD THOUGHTFULLY.

Are you thoughtful about how your approach God? 

Do you consider how you come into His presence?

 

Leviticus 16 

exp. The instruction manual given to the High Priest about HOW TO APPROACH GOD. This would be His meditation every year as he prepared himself to enter into God's presence.

 

I. You must come cautiously.

 def. in a way that deliberately avoids potential problems or dangers

1  And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;

 exp. Aaron is the first High Priest. Two of his boys who were priests had not exercised caution in their sacred duties and they had been killed by God.

Leveticus 10:1  And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

2  And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

3  Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

 exp. The high priest was reminded TO FEAR GOD every year as He came to this text. (When this text was given this was a recent memory.)

 ill. Kay Lee is learning to drive. I remember when I learned to drive, they showed us horrible videos of car accidents. They wanted us to have a healthy fear. There was great power that needed to be treated with caution.

 exp. If I feared that power - I would be a good cautious driver.

 exp. The High Priest was to have a fear of God in his heart and exhibit caution.

  app. When a man first approaches God, He must do so cautiously. He has to come in the way God commands.

1.) God has the power of life.

Job 12:10  In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

2.) God has the power of eternal destruction.

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

3.) God has the power alone to save.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 2nd app: Once you have Jesus as your High Priest - you have access with confidence into this place of God's presence. 

Hebrews 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21  And having an high priest over the house of God;

22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

exp. But, you ought to still have a HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD.

 transition: We ought to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously.

 

 

II. You must come respectfully.

2  And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

 exp. The MOST HOLY PLACE was not a common place. 

EVEN the tabernacle itself was only for the priests to enter. (They could do so daily.)

However, the Holy of Holies was to be given even greater respect.

 quote: Matthew Henry: "That place where God manifested his special presence must not be made common. If none must come into the presence-chamber of an earthly king uncalled, no, not the queen herself, upon pain of death (Esth. 4:11), was it not requisite that the same sacred respect should be paid to the Kings of kings?"

 note: The High Priest wasn't to treat that sacred place as ordinary. He only got to do this on this annual special occasion.

 question: How greatly do we respect God as seen by our not treating his worship as common?

 exp. I'm not suggesting that we limit our approach to God, 

...but I would suggest that we GIVE GREAT REGARD to our privilige to come before God.

 question: We have different levels of respect for different events. 

Do you give the same regard to a football game as you do to attending a wedding or funeral?

  note: You would hope that nobody cheers or loses their temper at a wedding or funeral.

 exp. I would hope that you would have a greater respect for those who are being married or buried - and that your demeanor would be one of GREAT RESPECT FOR THEM.

app. We aren't limited in our opportunity to enter God's holy place. However, we would do well to APPROACH GOD THOUGHTFULLY with great respect.

transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously.

2) Come respecfully.

 

III. You must come appropriately.

 exp. Have you ever been embarrassed at an event because everyone else knew it was a formal event - but you? They all have on ties and you may be there in a pair of shorts and flip flops.

 note: You want to be appropriately attired - not just so you fit in - but so that you don't get kicked out or cause an offence to your host.

app. When it comes to God - to come inappropriately is AN OFFENCE and you will not be allowed entry.

1) He came with a sacrifice for his sins.

3  Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.

 exp. Aaron had to deal with his sin before he could enter into that sacred place. A young bull was brought into the tabernacle and killed by the priest to provide atonement for his sins. WITHOUT THIS ATONEMENT HE COULD NOT ENTER INTO GOD'S PRESENCE.

 app. You and I can enter into God's presence today ONLY BY WAY OF THE ATONING DEATH OF JESUS. Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2) He came with the right garment.

4  He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; 

 exp. These sacred clothes were to be worn as he entered. God would make certain He only entered with the right clothing.

  ill. Katie and I just celelbrated 20 years of marriage. On our honeymoon we went to Tucson, AZ. I had done my intership in Tucson and I took Katie ought to eat at a steak house (bbq'd beef steak.) As you enter - there are cut ties all over the ceiling - it's forbidden to enter with a tie. When I did my internship we brough a little boy there for his birthday - he wore a tie knowing what would happen - he still cried and felt like he had done something wrong coming in with the WRONG ATTIRE.

 question: How will someone feel who tries to enter God's presents with the wrong attire?

Matthew 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

 app. You must come appropriately - with the right garment, with a sacrifice for your sins, 

3) He came with cleansing.

...therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

 exp. The High priest was to be COMPLETELY CLEAN to enter God's presence.

 note: A saved person has the privilige of going to God whenever He desires. He's got the wedding garment, He's got the sacrifice - BUT HE MUST BE CLEAN.

 Ill.  Jesus illustrated this by putting aside his garments, taking a towel and washing feet.

John 13: 4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

 exp. The water of the High Priest and that of the Lord Jesus ARE BOTH REPRESENTATIVE of our need for cleansing. WE MUST BE COMPLETELY CLEAN TO APPROACH GOD.

 app. Do you approach God through the sacrifice of Jesus, with a wedding garment, cleansed from every known sin? Are yo approaching God appropriately?

transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously.

2) Come respecfully.

3) Come appropriately.

 

IV. You must come intercedingly.

exp. This High Priest was responsable for the spiritual needs of many people as He came before God. He would intercede for all of them.

def. intercede: (intervene on behalf of)

ill. Priesthood of the believer: 1 Peter 2:

5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

 app. Our priesthood allows us to enter God's presence again and again through the blood of Jesus. In that place we have access to God and can intercede (intervene on behalf of) others.

A. Interceding for God's people.

5  And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

 exp. The congregation gave him a sacrifice to give to God for them. As High Priest he carried the burden for the spiritual needs of the people. 

 question: Do you use your priesthood to intervene on the behalf of your community or church?

 ill. John Knox "Give Me Scotland or I Die!"

 ill. The Apostle Paul "My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved."

Eze 22:30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

 app. We aren't the great high priest. Jesus is. But, we have the privilige of entering God's presence. We ought to enter their and plead for our nation and for God's people.

B. Interceding for yourself.

6  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, 

 exp. The high priest didn't become sinless as the High Priest. We didn't become sinless when we got saved.

1 John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 app. Part of our intercession will be to God for ourselves asking God's forgiveness.

C. Interceding for your family.

and for his house.

 exp. The high priest (no matter how godly) was imperfect and so was his family. He would intercede for them.

 ill. Job was a righteous man, who interceded to God for his family.

Job 1:5  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

 app.  As a believer, you can enter that holy place because of the great sacrifice, the Lord Jesus. Are you prepared to go into that place interceding for your community, yourself and your family.

transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously.

2) Come respecfully.

3) Come appropriately.

4) Come interceedingly.

 

V. You must come dependently. (By faith in the acceptability of the sacrifice.)

7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (BOTH OF THESE GOATS REPRESENTED JESUS ATONEMENT)

quote: Got questions.org "The sufficiency and completeness of the sacrifice of Christ is also seen in the two goats. The blood of the first goat was sprinkled on the ark, ritually appeasing the wrath of God for another year. The second goat removed the sins of the people into the wilderness where they were forgotten and no longer clung to the people. Sin is both propitiated and expiated God’s way—only by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Propitiation is the act of appeasing the wrath of God, while expiation is the act of atoning for sin and removing it from the sinner."

A. Propitiation - God's wrath would be appeased.

9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.

Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

 exp. Jesus blood made the way TO RECONCILE US TO GOD cleansing our sin.

B. Expiation - God would put away man's sin..

10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Def. Scapegoat "Goat of departure"

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  exp. The High Priest had to believe God would BE APPEASED and that SIN WOULD BE CLEANSED by these sacrifice and the scapegoat.

app. Praise God - He has made a way for HIS WRATH and OUR SIN to be removed. Have you come to God dependently? 

transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously.

2) Come respecfully.

3) Come appropriately.

4) Come interceedingly.

5) Come dependently.

 

VI. You must come individually.

17  And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

 exp. The skirt of his garment had bells in it. As long as those bells were ringing the people knew that God had accepted the sacrifice. If they stopped, they knew God's wrath had fallen upon him. Nobody was allowed to be in this place - it was just one man entering before God.

 note: I want to point out to us that - though other can intercede for you - atonement for your soul is only possible by you entering into that holy place through the blood of Jesus YOURSELF. 

 another Baptist distinctive is - soul liberty - each person has the liberty to chose whether or not they will come to God through the Lord Jesus. (No state religion or forced worship.)

 app. You have that liberty today. Your family can't save you - they would if they could.

You must decide to come yourself if you want to be reconciled to God by the atoning work of Jesus.

transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously.

2) Come respecfully.

3) Come appropriately.

4) Come interceedingly.

5) Come dependently.

6) Come individually.

 

VII. You must come repentently.

21  And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

22  And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

exp. Can you imagine the priest saying, "Well, this has been a good year. There is nothing really to confess this year." What would happen is GOD'S WRATH WOULD NOT BE APPEASED AND JUDGMENT for sin WOULD COME.

 question: The problem good people have is THEY DON'T GET THEIR SINS ATONED.

 app. Sinner friend, if you would come to God, come repentently - deal with that sin that needs atonement. JESUS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST MADE THE WAY FOR YOU TO COME.

Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

 

Conclusion: It's THE DAY OF ATONEMENT - you are the new high priest. You are to approach God - WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

 

You ought to approach God thoughtfully....

1) Come cautiously. (Others did not and God judged them.)

2) Come respectfully. (This is not a common activity.)

3) Come appropriately. (Through Jesus sacrifice, with a wedding garment, clean)

4) Come interceedingly. (While you are there intercede - community, self, family)

5) Come dependently. (Believe in Jesus SACRIFICE - appeasing, cleansing)

6) Come individually. (You have to approach God yourself for atonement.)

7) Come repentently. (Don't come if you aren't ready to deal with sin.)

 

Have you had the atonement? Have you been reconciled to God by faith in Jesus?

 

30  For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D
ate: 18 June, 2020
Text: Leveticus 16
Title: Approaching God
 
Introduction:
 
ill. Reading Thomas Chalmers Memoirs - Interesting to go back 200 years in human history.
Dr. Chalmers went with a delegation from the church of Scotland to meet the new king.
As they were presented before the king: 
They went in bowing as they went.
They backed out of the room bowing as they went.
exp. Even for a great man of God, you could sense his desire to rightly approach his earthly king.
 
our text: this morning Levitcus 16 is about 1 man - chosen in Israel - to approach God.
HOW CAUTIOUSLY HE NEEDED TO APPROACH GOD. 
HE NEEDED TO APPROACH GOD CORRECTLY.
 
- The man is the High Priest of Israel.
- The day is Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement - This was an annual event.
Leviticus 16:29  And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
ill. Jews who follow Judaism (legalism - righteousness by following the law) instead of Christianity - still observe Yom Kippur - This year, Yom Kippur starts during the evening of Tuesday 8 October and ends during the evening of Wednesday 9 October. The fast, which is observed for approximately 25 hours, starts at 6.08pm and ends on 7.07pm the following day.
- The place - is the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.
- If you are unfamiliar with the Tabernacle it was a large tent.
- Only the priests were allowed into the tabernacle.
- in the outer court  - Altar of sacrifice where burnt offerings were offered.
- Laver - a large basin of water - on a pedestal used for cleansing
- Inside the tent were two additional rooms.
- The holy place - Altar of incense, 7 branched lampstand, table of bread
- The most holy place - Ark of the Covenant - gold box - Aaron's rod, mannah
Mercy Seat - gold lid with two cherubim above it.
- God's glory appeared in the Most Holy Place above the mercy seat.
 
Def. Atonement - "the reconciliation of God and mankind through Jesus Christ." "At One -ment"
 
This was the most important day on the Jewish Calendar.
The High Priest had the most significant earthly role to play.
 
 from our text in chapter 16:
30  For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
exp. This was not just another day - on this day (for yet another year) God would deal with the sin that separates him from his people. THE HIGH PRIEST HAD TO GET THIS RIGHT.
31  It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
 exp. Even the people - had to fast and show remorse for their sins. It was a law that was in force up until the crucifixion of Jesus Christ - the final sacrifice.
32  And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:
 exp. High Priests would die and another high priest would have to be appointed.
Hebrews 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
33  And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
34  And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
 exp. This continued from Moses (somewhere around 14th century BC) up until Jesus Christ. Christ fulfilled it eternally - once and for all.
 
now: Imagine that you 
- are from the tribe of Levi (Levite) 
- and that you are the son of the High Priest (a descendant of Aaron). 
-Your priesthood begins at 30 years of age. 
- At some point you become the high priest and you are preparing to enter into the HOLY OF HOLIES for the first time.
 
WHAT WOULD YOU BE THINKING ABOUT AS YOUR PREPARED TO APPROACH GOD?
 
As we consider this passage this morning - we are reminded that....
-WE OUGHT TO APPROACH GOD THOUGHTFULLY.
Are you thoughtful about how your approach God? 
Do you consider how you come into His presence?
 
Leviticus 16 
exp. The instruction manual given to the High Priest about HOW TO APPROACH GOD. This would be His meditation every year as he prepared himself to enter into God's presence.
 
I. You must come cautiously.
 def. in a way that deliberately avoids potential problems or dangers
1  And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;
 exp. Aaron is the first High Priest. Two of his boys who were priests had not exercised caution in their sacred duties and they had been killed by God.
Leveticus 10:1  And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
2  And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
3  Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
 exp. The high priest was reminded TO FEAR GOD every year as He came to this text. (When this text was given this was a recent memory.)
 ill. Kay Lee is learning to drive. I remember when I learned to drive, they showed us horrible videos of car accidents. They wanted us to have a healthy fear. There was great power that needed to be treated with caution.
 exp. If I feared that power - I would be a good cautious driver.
 exp. The High Priest was to have a fear of God in his heart and exhibit caution.
  app. When a man first approaches God, He must do so cautiously. He has to come in the way God commands.
1.) God has the power of life.
Job 12:10  In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
2.) God has the power of eternal destruction.
Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
3.) God has the power alone to save.
Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
 2nd app: Once you have Jesus as your High Priest - you have access with confidence into this place of God's presence. 
Hebrews 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
exp. But, you ought to still have a HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD.
 transition: We ought to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously.
 
 
II. You must come respectfully.
2  And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
 exp. The MOST HOLY PLACE was not a common place. 
EVEN the tabernacle itself was only for the priests to enter. (They could do so daily.)
However, the Holy of Holies was to be given even greater respect.
 quote: Matthew Henry: "That place where God manifested his special presence must not be made common. If none must come into the presence-chamber of an earthly king uncalled, no, not the queen herself, upon pain of death (Esth. 4:11), was it not requisite that the same sacred respect should be paid to the Kings of kings?"
 note: The High Priest wasn't to treat that sacred place as ordinary. He only got to do this on this annual special occasion.
 question: How greatly do we respect God as seen by our not treating his worship as common?
 exp. I'm not suggesting that we limit our approach to God, 
...but I would suggest that we GIVE GREAT REGARD to our privilige to come before God.
 question: We have different levels of respect for different events. 
Do you give the same regard to a football game as you do to attending a wedding or funeral?
  note: You would hope that nobody cheers or loses their temper at a wedding or funeral.
 exp. I would hope that you would have a greater respect for those who are being married or buried - and that your demeanor would be one of GREAT RESPECT FOR THEM.
app. We aren't limited in our opportunity to enter God's holy place. However, we would do well to APPROACH GOD THOUGHTFULLY with great respect.
transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously.
2) Come respecfully.
 
III. You must come appropriately.
 exp. Have you ever been embarrassed at an event because everyone else knew it was a formal event - but you? They all have on ties and you may be there in a pair of shorts and flip flops.
 note: You want to be appropriately attired - not just so you fit in - but so that you don't get kicked out or cause an offence to your host.
app. When it comes to God - to come inappropriately is AN OFFENCE and you will not be allowed entry.
1) He came with a sacrifice for his sins.
3  Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.
 exp. Aaron had to deal with his sin before he could enter into that sacred place. A young bull was brought into the tabernacle and killed by the priest to provide atonement for his sins. WITHOUT THIS ATONEMENT HE COULD NOT ENTER INTO GOD'S PRESENCE.
 app. You and I can enter into God's presence today ONLY BY WAY OF THE ATONING DEATH OF JESUS. Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2) He came with the right garment.
4  He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; 
 exp. These sacred clothes were to be worn as he entered. God would make certain He only entered with the right clothing.
  ill. Katie and I just celelbrated 20 years of marriage. On our honeymoon we went to Tucson, AZ. I had done my intership in Tucson and I took Katie ought to eat at a steak house (bbq'd beef steak.) As you enter - there are cut ties all over the ceiling - it's forbidden to enter with a tie. When I did my internship we brough a little boy there for his birthday - he wore a tie knowing what would happen - he still cried and felt like he had done something wrong coming in with the WRONG ATTIRE.
 question: How will someone feel who tries to enter God's presents with the wrong attire?
Matthew 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14  For many are called, but few are chosen.
 app. You must come appropriately - with the right garment, with a sacrifice for your sins, 
3) He came with cleansing.
...therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
 exp. The High priest was to be COMPLETELY CLEAN to enter God's presence.
 note: A saved person has the privilige of going to God whenever He desires. He's got the wedding garment, He's got the sacrifice - BUT HE MUST BE CLEAN.
 Ill.  Jesus illustrated this by putting aside his garments, taking a towel and washing feet.
John 13: 4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
 exp. The water of the High Priest and that of the Lord Jesus ARE BOTH REPRESENTATIVE of our need for cleansing. WE MUST BE COMPLETELY CLEAN TO APPROACH GOD.
 app. Do you approach God through the sacrifice of Jesus, with a wedding garment, cleansed from every known sin? Are yo approaching God appropriately?
transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously.
2) Come respecfully.
3) Come appropriately.
 
IV. You must come intercedingly.
exp. This High Priest was responsable for the spiritual needs of many people as He came before God. He would intercede for all of them.
def. intercede: (intervene on behalf of)
ill. Priesthood of the believer: 1 Peter 2:
5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 app. Our priesthood allows us to enter God's presence again and again through the blood of Jesus. In that place we have access to God and can intercede (intervene on behalf of) others.
A. Interceding for God's people.
5  And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
 exp. The congregation gave him a sacrifice to give to God for them. As High Priest he carried the burden for the spiritual needs of the people. 
 question: Do you use your priesthood to intervene on the behalf of your community or church?
 ill. John Knox "Give Me Scotland or I Die!"
 ill. The Apostle Paul "My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved."
Eze 22:30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
 app. We aren't the great high priest. Jesus is. But, we have the privilige of entering God's presence. We ought to enter their and plead for our nation and for God's people.
B. Interceding for yourself.
6  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, 
 exp. The high priest didn't become sinless as the High Priest. We didn't become sinless when we got saved.
1 John 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 app. Part of our intercession will be to God for ourselves asking God's forgiveness.
C. Interceding for your family.
and for his house.
 exp. The high priest (no matter how godly) was imperfect and so was his family. He would intercede for them.
 ill. Job was a righteous man, who interceded to God for his family.
Job 1:5  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
 app.  As a believer, you can enter that holy place because of the great sacrifice, the Lord Jesus. Are you prepared to go into that place interceding for your community, yourself and your family.
transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously.
2) Come respecfully.
3) Come appropriately.
4) Come interceedingly.
 
V. You must come dependently. (By faith in the acceptability of the sacrifice.)
7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (BOTH OF THESE GOATS REPRESENTED JESUS ATONEMENT)
quote: Got questions.org "The sufficiency and completeness of the sacrifice of Christ is also seen in the two goats. The blood of the first goat was sprinkled on the ark, ritually appeasing the wrath of God for another year. The second goat removed the sins of the people into the wilderness where they were forgotten and no longer clung to the people. Sin is both propitiated and expiated God’s way—only by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Propitiation is the act of appeasing the wrath of God, while expiation is the act of atoning for sin and removing it from the sinner."
A. Propitiation - God's wrath would be appeased.
9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
 exp. Jesus blood made the way TO RECONCILE US TO GOD cleansing our sin.
B. Expiation - God would put away man's sin..
10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
Def. Scapegoat "Goat of departure"
2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
  exp. The High Priest had to believe God would BE APPEASED and that SIN WOULD BE CLEANSED by these sacrifice and the scapegoat.
app. Praise God - He has made a way for HIS WRATH and OUR SIN to be removed. Have you come to God dependently? 
transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously.
2) Come respecfully.
3) Come appropriately.
4) Come interceedingly.
5) Come dependently.
 
VI. You must come individually.
17  And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.
 exp. The skirt of his garment had bells in it. As long as those bells were ringing the people knew that God had accepted the sacrifice. If they stopped, they knew God's wrath had fallen upon him. Nobody was allowed to be in this place - it was just one man entering before God.
 note: I want to point out to us that - though other can intercede for you - atonement for your soul is only possible by you entering into that holy place through the blood of Jesus YOURSELF. 
 another Baptist distinctive is - soul liberty - each person has the liberty to chose whether or not they will come to God through the Lord Jesus. (No state religion or forced worship.)
 app. You have that liberty today. Your family can't save you - they would if they could.
You must decide to come yourself if you want to be reconciled to God by the atoning work of Jesus.
transition: If you want to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously.
2) Come respecfully.
3) Come appropriately.
4) Come interceedingly.
5) Come dependently.
6) Come individually.
 
VII. You must come repentently.
21  And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
22  And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
exp. Can you imagine the priest saying, "Well, this has been a good year. There is nothing really to confess this year." What would happen is GOD'S WRATH WOULD NOT BE APPEASED AND JUDGMENT for sin WOULD COME.
 question: The problem good people have is THEY DON'T GET THEIR SINS ATONED.
 app. Sinner friend, if you would come to God, come repentently - deal with that sin that needs atonement. JESUS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST MADE THE WAY FOR YOU TO COME.
Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
 
Conclusion: It's THE DAY OF ATONEMENT - you are the new high priest. You are to approach God - WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
 
You ought to approach God thoughtfully....
1) Come cautiously. (Others did not and God judged them.)
2) Come respectfully. (This is not a common activity.)
3) Come appropriately. (Through Jesus sacrifice, with a wedding garment, clean)
4) Come interceedingly. (While you are there intercede - community, self, family)
5) Come dependently. (Believe in Jesus SACRIFICE - appeasing, cleansing)
6) Come individually. (You have to approach God yourself for atonement.)
7) Come repentently. (Don't come if you aren't ready to deal with sin.)
 
Have you had the atonement? Have you been reconciled to God by faith in Jesus?
 
30  For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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