Leviticus - Introduction - THE BOOK OF WORSHIP

Pastor Carolyn Sissom \ September 9th, 2010 (7898 views)

 

 

 

THE BOOK OF WORSHIP

Introduction to Leviticus

Preached by:  Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

 

In Genesis we saw man ruined.  In Exodus, we saw man redeemed.  Now in Leviticus, we see man worshipping.  In Genesis we saw the man of worship.  In Exodus we saw the place of worship.  In Leviticus we see the manner of worship.  For only those whom the Lord calls does He seek to worship Him. (Jn. 4:23-24; Psa. 65:4)

 

An access of worship is revealed which brings the child of God into the liberty of the Year of Jubilee.   It is my desire that those who make this journey through Leviticus will break forth in to their Year of Jubilee regardless of their age.

 

In Exodus the Tabernacle is described and constructed while in Leviticus the prescribed offerings and the ministry of the priesthood is introduced.  In the Old Testament, the priesthood had no earthly inheritance as the Lord Himself was their portion.

 

Heb. 6: 19-20:  “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

 

He has gone in and he hasn’t come out.  He won’t come out until His Body, the Church goes in and stays in with Him.  Then when He comes out, He will come out with His brethren in the more excellent ministry and every eye shall see Him.  Do you desire to be part of such a Royal priesthood?  Then ask the Lord to open your eyes to see the hope of His calling.

 

The seventh chapter of Hebrews reveals nine major principles concerning the Melchisedec priesthood:

 

1. This ministry is that of a prophet, priest, and king.
2. This ministry is unlimited.
3. This ministry is energized by the source of an endless life.
4. This ministry is eternal.
5. This ministry is immutable or unchangeable.
6. This ministry springs from Judah, or praise.
7. This ministry brings perfection.
8. This ministry puts away the curse of the law, namely sin, sickness, poverty and death.

 

Jesus was a Prophet, Priest, and King.

 

The ministry of Jesus is unlimited.

The ministry of Jesus flows out of His own resurrection life.  The same Spirit that raised Him from the dead quickens His people.  This life is uncreated and incorruptible.

The ministry of Jesus is eternal.

The ministry of Jesus is immutable.  There won’t be another priesthood.  He is the last Word on the subject.  There is no higher or better order.

The ministry of Jesus is universal, ministering to all men without prejudice or partiality. 

The ministry of Jesus springs out of Judah which means “praise”. 

The ministry of Jesus brings perfection.

The ministry of Jesus put away the curse of the law.  He is our Redeemer being made a curse for us.  Sin, sickness, poverty and death are under the feet of the Head of the Church.

 

Abraham was “refreshed” after the first battle with the Mesopotamian kings, and then “readied” for the second battle with the King of Sodom.  He was encouraged in the meeting with Melchisedec, who gave him bread, beverage (wine), and blessing. 

 

The Church operating from the Most Holy Places operates in this Royal priesthood.  In Leviticus the high priest was Aaron.  He typifies Jesus Christ, the New Testament High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. (Also Zadok and the Prince of Ezekiel’s Temple). 

 

In the Old Testament Priesthood, a priest was chosen of God, the property of God, Holy unto God, offered gifts and sacrifices unto God, took gifts from God, taught the people about God, and prayed for the people of God (Heb. 5:1-4)

 

When Jesus came to earth to establish His Kingdom.  There was a transition of one order of ministry to another (from Aaronic to Melchisedec, from in-part to fullness – Heb. 7)

 

Quote by Josephus (Jewish historian):  “But now God Himself has determined that Aaron is worthy of this honor, and has chosen him for His Priest, as knowing him to be the most righteous person among you; so that he has put on the vestments which are consecrated to God; he is to have care of the altars, and to make provision for the sacrifices; and he it is who must put up prayer for you to God, who will readily hear them…because He will receive them as offered by one whom he has Himself chosen to this office.”

 

While Aaron typified Jesus, he yet remains Aaron of the molten calf and other transgressions (not a perfect type).  Aaron later rebelled against Moses with Miriam (Num. 12), then reaped what he sowed when he experienced Korah’s rebellion.  God then  proved the validity of His chosen Priesthood by the principle of the  resurrection life of Jesus Christ.

 

As prophesied by David in Psa. 110:1-4, those who are overcomers and pass that Golden Altar are to be join heirs with Christ Jesus as priests.

 

This is the More Excellent Ministry after the order of Melchisedec:

 

1. State of royalty---powerful (Heb. 7: 1-2).  He was king of Salem, or peace (Jerusalem), and a king and priest who also prophesied to Abraham (Gen. 14: 17-24).
2. Sacred ---priestly (Heb. 7: 1-2).  He was first a king and then a priest.  This must be the order.  Jesus cannot be our Priest until He is our Lord.  This produces the state of Salem, or peace (Phil. 4:7)
3. Steadfastness---permanent (Heb. 7:3, 17, 21, 24, 28).  The Bible gives Him no genealogy (no roots).  He is the Ancient of Days, the great I AM. (Heb. 13:8 with 7:16).
4. Similitude of Jesus ---perfect (Heb. 7:3, 26, 28; 5:9; Psa. 110:4).
5. Springs from Judah---praise or praiseworthy (Heb. 7:14; 13:15; Mt. 1:1; Rev. 5: 10-13)
6. Superior order ---preeminent.  This better Priesthood is greater than that of Aaron, which was limited and in-part (Heb. 7:4-6)
7. Singleness of eye---not prejudiced (Heb. 7:3).  Abraham was not yet circumcised.
8. Separated from sin, sickness, poverty, and death---purged.
9. Servant to man---prayerful.

 

The Name of God that is related to the order of Melchisedec is “The Most High God”.  This Name points to the highest realm and order of ministry, the Most Holy Place.  This is also the Royal Priesthood of the Saints.

 

Leviticus was written by Moses.  Together with Genesis, Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, these are called “The law of Moses”. (Lk. 24:27; 44; Acts 28:23), and “The Book of Moses” (Mk. 12:26).  The book of Leviticus covers approximately one month:  the first month of the second year after Israel came out of Egypt.

 

The purpose of the book is to give to Israel their proper approach to God; to instruct the priests concerning their ministry of offerings sacrifices or oblations and to give distinction between the clean and unclean.

 

In this book, God reveals that He is holy, and His Presence with man demands man’s obedience to Him.  Man must approach God on God’s terms.  There is a Divine order.  A pattern is laid before the Israelites of five major offerings and three major feasts.  The offerings detailed different aspects of the nature of the One Who is the True Sacrifice.  The feasts parallel with the process involved in seeking after God and His principles, renewing the mind, and being progressively changed into His image. 

 

Jesus Christ is seen in the Book of Leviticus as:

 

1. The Sacrifice and Oblation. (Heb. 10:12)
2. The Holy High Priest who makes Atonement with His blood. (Heb. 9:14).
3. The Way of Approach unto God. (Heb. 7:25)
4. The Burnt Offering (Lev. 1; Jn. 8:29)
5. The Meal Offering. (Lev. 2; Jn. 8:29)
6. The Peace offering. (Lev. 3; 11 Cor. 5:17-21)
7. The Sin offering. (Lev. 4; Heb. 9-10)
8. The Trespass Offering. (Lev. 5; Heb. 9-10)
9. The Wave Offering. (Lev. 10:14; Jn. 1:8)
10. The Heave Offering. (Lev. 10:14; Isa. 6-7)
11. The Priest Who cleanses the Leper. (Lev. 13; Mt. 8:2)
12. The Little Bird who was killed over running water. (Lev. 14:5; Isa. 53)
13. The Lord’s (Jehovah’s )Goat. (16:8; Heb. 9:14)
14. The Scapegoat (Lev. 16:8; Isa. 53:6)
15.  The Bread of God (Lev. 21:8, 21; Jn. 6:48)
16. The Feasts of Jehovah:

               (a) The Passover Lamb                       ---Lev. 23: 4-5 – 1 Cor. 5:7

                (b) The Unleavened Bread                              23: 6-8; 1 Cor. 5:8

                ©   The Sheaf of the Firstfruits                       23: 9-14; 1 Cor. 15:20

               (d)  The New Meat Offering of Pentecost       23: 15-22; Gal. 4:6)

               (e)  The Priest Who blows the Trumpet           23: 23-25; Mk. 1: 14-15

               (f)   The Atonement                                           23:26-32; Heb. 9-10

               (g)  The Tabernacle of the Fullness of God.    23: 33-44; Co. 2:9

17.  The Pure Olive Oil. (Lev. 24:2; Acts 10:38)

18.  The Pure Candlestick (Lev. 24:8)

19.   The Jubilee (Lev. 25:10; Lk. 4:18)

20.  The Tithe. (Lev. 27:32; Isa. 6:13; Heb. 7:26)

 

The message of the Book of Leviticus:

 

1. God is Holy.
2. Approach to God is only through a mediating priest (Jesus Christ offering a blood-sacrifice for atonement).
3. A worshipper must be separated unto the Lord.
4. God demands holy living.
5. A holy nation must have a holy lifestyle.
6. Leviticus reveals the dealings of God in sanctification and purification.
7. It took God one night to get Israel out of Egypt for forty years to bring Egypt out of Israel.
8. This book teaches us much about Jesus Christ through the use of types, for He is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system and priestly mediation.
9. Get right with God and keep right with God.
10. Sacrifice is the way of approach (The Hebrew word Korban means “to draw near or approach.”).  It has been my experience that the anointing is magnified through obedience and sacrifice.  That which we give the Lord sacrificially is a burnt offering unto him.  Our obedience is the sacrifice as we lay down our flesh.
11. The five offerings point to the various aspects of Jesus The Offering, and also to the five-fold ministry of Eph. 4:11.
12. The three Feasts broken down into seven feasts reveal a pattern of the development and growth of the believer which can be paralleled to the history of the Church from Luther to the present.
13. The Garments of the High Priest also reveal a pattern of the believer’s development which can be paralled to the study of the Tabernacle of Moses.
14. Aaron and his four sons are a type of the five-fold ministry of Eph. 4:11.
15. The sons of Aaron speak of the royal priesthood of 1 Pet. 2: 9-10.
16. The realm of the Kingdom is the Holy of Holies (Ez. 43: 10-12).

 

Chapter One begins with the importance of the offerings.  These truths were communicated by Jehovah through Moses as revelatory truth from the Mind of God.

 

I did a complete teaching on these offerings several years ago.  I hope I will be able to find my notes.  If not, then the Lord wants to open my eyes to more revelation of the offerings.

 

As I proceed in this teaching, it will be my hope to present these truths to the Kingdom people who are made in the image of Jesus Christ or who desire that walk.  Sue Baird, Teacher at Praise Tabernacle separated this into six sections of study:

 

I will close today using her teaching .  Under the six headings, there are four scripture references:

 

1. A verse from the Old Testament book of Leviticus.
2. A verse from the New Testament.
3. A verse pertaining to the Pattern Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. A verse pertaining to the Kingdom people who are made in His image.

 

1. COVENANT PRINCIPLE:  WORSHIP

(a)    “You shall make no idols nor graven image…and I will walk among

you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

 (Lev. 26:1, 11-12)

(b)    “…”You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you

Serve… (Mt. 4: 8-10)

                  ©   “God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him                      in Spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:24)

(d)     “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and

Rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Phil. 3:3)

2. COVENANT NATION: SEPARATED

(a)    “…I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other

People…” Lev. 20:24)

(b)    “According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the

       World that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

        (Eph. 1:4)

©   “I have given them your word; and the world has hated them. 

       Because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

       (Jn. 17:4)

(d)   “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit

Which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely

Given to us of God.” (1 Cor. 2:12; 11 Tim 2:20-21)

3. COVENANT PEOPLE:  TAUGHT.

(a)    “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein you dwelt, shall you not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, shall you not do:  neither shall you walk in their ordinances.  You shall do my judgments, and keep my ordinances…I am the Lord your God.” (Lev. 18: 3-4)

(b)    “…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” (Phil. 3:13)

(c)     “And they shall all be taught of God.  Every man, therefore, that has heard and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.” (Jn. 6:4-5)

(d)    “If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits…set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3: 1-2)

4. GOD’S WAYS:  HOLY

(a)    “For I am the Lord that brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev. 11: 4-5)

(b)    “…great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways.  You King of saints. “ (Rev. 15:3)

(c)     “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Heb. 5:9)

(d)    “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (11 Cor. 7:1)

5. GOD’S WORKS:  SANCTIFIER.

(a)    “And you shall keep my statutes, and do them:  I am the Lord which sanctifies you.” (Lev. 20:8)

(b)    “By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10)

(c)     “Sanctify them through your truth:  Your word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17)

(d)    “And such were some of you; but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11)

 

6. GOD’S WORD: BE HOLY

(a)    “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, you shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Lev. 19:2)

(b)    “Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name?  For you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before you; for your judgments are made manifest.” (Rev. 15:4)

(c)     “Be you perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. “ (Mt. 5:48)

(d)    “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:  which had not obtained mercy, but now has obtained mercy.” (Rom 12: 1-2; 1 Pet. 2: 9-10)

 

Taught by:  Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Text from Principle of Present Truth by:  Kelly Varner; The More Excellent Ministry by:  Kelly Varner.