WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:07.839 Amen. Well, folks, if you have that passage open in front of you, we're going to be dipping in and out of it this morning. 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:13.660 But I want to start off by asking you a question. What makes a person unclean? 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:22.800 Now, I guess it depends on their life circumstances. For example, I always considered myself to be a clean young man. 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:29.900 Always showered, always wore clean clothes. I'm generally quite a tidy and organized person. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:41.380 Even when I worked on a farm, I would come home and intentionally leave my stinking work clothes that smelled like pigs, sheep and cattle outside the house. 00:00:41.380 --> 00:00:46.320 So that that lovely smell didn't come into the house or into my bedroom. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:53.120 I thought that I was generally a clean and tidy person. But then something changed. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:59.939 I moved away from home into a flat share for a few years. And then I married my wife, Sabina. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:06.420 And I realized that there are very different ideas of what cleanliness meant. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:11.060 Sure, I could organize things. I could have things tidied away. 00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:15.079 But there is much more to cleanliness than just appearance. 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:23.599 Even now in our flat, when I cleaned, Sabina jokingly or not so jokingly, asked me to which standards I cleaned. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:25.439 Hers or mine? 00:01:26.539 --> 00:01:32.700 We all know that there is a difference between something being clean and something being dirty. 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:35.379 Let's use the language of Leviticus. 00:01:35.539 --> 00:01:38.319 Something that is clean or unclean. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:47.559 If we see something dirty today, we probably just wipe over it with a cloth, throw it in the washing machine or if it's us, we jump in the shower. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:54.159 But it wasn't all that simple back when Leviticus was being read to the nation of Israel. 00:01:54.579 --> 00:02:02.379 And the terms clean and unclean had a lot more significance and consequences than they do today. 00:02:02.379 --> 00:02:08.479 Now remember that big idea of the whole book of Leviticus. 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:13.719 That God is holy and that the nation of Israel are not. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:24.859 These laws were given so that the people, to show the people what needed to happen for a holy God to dwell with an unholy people. 00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:31.060 And to understand our passage this morning, we need to look at the book ends of it. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:35.040 So turn to Leviticus chapter 10 verse 10. 00:02:35.600 --> 00:02:43.840 And we get a part of the job description of a priest, which is to distinguish between the holy and the common. 00:02:44.540 --> 00:02:46.960 Between the unclean and the clean. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:53.860 And then in chapter 16 verse 16, we see another important role of the priest. 00:02:55.140 --> 00:03:03.360 He will make atonement for the most holy place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:10.980 And so in chapter 10 of Leviticus, we're told about a distinction between clean and unclean. 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:16.040 A person's cleanliness is about ceremonial cleanliness. 00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:24.840 Meaning whether or not they were able to join in the corporate worship of God as he commanded them to in the Old Testament laws. 00:03:25.899 --> 00:03:30.840 So being unclean means that a person is not able to enter the tabernacle. 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:38.419 And worship God because he is holy and he cannot dwell with uncleanliness. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:46.719 And then in chapter 16, we're told that it is through sacrifices the people's sins are atoned for. 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:48.959 And they are made clean. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:55.319 So the big question between these bookends is, well, what makes people unclean? 00:03:55.319 --> 00:04:02.419 If God is holy and cannot dwell within unholy people, then what hope is there for us? 00:04:03.699 --> 00:04:12.099 We need to find out exactly what makes us unclean and how to change that so that God can dwell with us. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:19.319 And Leviticus 11 to 15 teaches us all about what makes the nation of Israel unclean. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:21.939 And there are two things. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:25.519 What goes in and who you are. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:35.259 So the first thing we see in this passage, which makes a person in the nation of Israel unclean, is what goes in in chapter 11. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.159 What goes in. 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:44.120 So chapter 11 is basically a list of the animals that the nation of Israel were not permitted to eat. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:49.000 In verses 1 to 8, the list of land creatures is given. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:55.459 So there are no bacon butties, sadly, no camel burgers to be found in the nation of Israel. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:00.180 In verses 8 to 12, the list of water creatures is given. 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:06.699 Verse 10 says they were not permitted to eat anything that did not have fins or scales. 00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:13.819 So sorry, guys, if this is your cup of tea, no lobster dinner or crab snacks to be found in the nation of Israel. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:20.420 And in verses 13 to 23, the list of flying creatures and insects is given. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:25.259 So no ostrich steak and no seagull soup on the menu at all. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:33.379 And I'll let you decide if you think that God not allowing his people to eat some insects is a good thing or not. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:39.860 I've only ever intentionally eaten a fried insect once and it was not a pleasant experience. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:46.840 But do you see the repetition in verse 7, 12 and 23? 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:54.580 The things that God says are not permitted are unclean and detestable to the people. 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:59.180 These animals are to be avoided at all cost. 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:05.339 Because uncleanliness permeates everything. 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:15.119 Looking at that list, I thought back to Genesis 1 and 2, where God created the world and said that everything was good. 00:06:16.039 --> 00:06:21.279 So why are there certain animals that the nation of Israel aren't allowed to eat or touch? 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:28.319 We don't know why God chose the pig to be unclean and the fish to be clean. 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:33.899 There is no reason for it other than God says so. 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:38.279 But what we do know is that God is holy. 00:06:38.919 --> 00:06:42.019 And that's why the nation of Israel are called to be different. 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:46.959 We see that in verses 45 to 40, 44 to 45. 00:06:47.359 --> 00:06:48.099 Read with me. 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:53.759 God says, do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:59.899 I am the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:03.159 Therefore, be holy because I am holy. 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:08.800 God is telling the people that they should follow these food laws. 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:13.459 That they should be ceremonially clean because of his holiness. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:18.439 The nation of Israel are being called to be distinct. 00:07:19.539 --> 00:07:22.680 Separate from the world because of the God they worship. 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:29.519 But God isn't being a killjoy and just taking away bacon butties for no reason. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:34.800 God isn't calling these unclean animals evil or sinful. 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:40.399 But these laws were to act as an illustration for the Israelites. 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:43.339 That they were to be different from the world. 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:46.259 So imagine this scene. 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:50.039 A family sit down for a meal one evening. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:54.240 And the table is full of food that complies with these food laws. 00:07:55.200 --> 00:08:03.580 But one of the children pipes up and says, dad, my Canaanite friend down the road is currently enjoying a hog roast with his family. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:07.100 And I smelled that pig being roasted on the fire. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:08.780 And oh man, did it smell delicious. 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:11.480 Can we have some of that for dinner tomorrow night? 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:13.580 No son. 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:15.040 The dad replies. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:16.720 We can't eat pork. 00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:23.680 We can't eat pork because the amazing all-powerful God who saved us from slavery in Egypt. 00:08:24.080 --> 00:08:31.340 The amazing holy God who was provided for us through and whose presence dwells in the tabernacle. 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:39.720 The amazing God who calls us to be his people has asked us to be distinct and different from the world. 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:43.939 That is the whole point of these food laws. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.959 God is calling his people to be different. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.500 To be pure. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:50.199 To be clean. 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:54.259 And every single meal is an illustration of that. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:09:01.060 Every meal was a conscious decision to eat specific things and live according to God's will. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:02.879 To be able to worship him. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:09.460 Every bite was a decision to be obedient and follow God's law. 00:09:11.800 --> 00:09:13.560 What does this mean for us today? 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:18.040 Christians are not bound by these food laws anymore. 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:20.040 And we need to understand why. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:24.759 Often when speaking with non-Christians, the food laws can come up. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:31.180 And we're maybe accused of cherry-picking parts of the Bible that we find comfortable or we like. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:37.140 But there are very good reasons that we do not need to follow these laws anymore. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:46.980 In the New Testament, for example, in Mark chapter 7, we see Jesus saying that a person isn't made unclean by what goes in. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.520 But by what's in our hearts. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:55.160 We are no longer under the Old Covenant as the Israelites were. 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:58.259 But we are in the New Covenant under Jesus Christ. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:06.220 And God confirms that under the New Covenant, the people of God, Christians, don't need to follow these laws anymore. 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:16.379 God says this in Acts 10, where he confirms to Peter in a vision that all the animals are clean and allowed to be eaten. 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:21.799 So Christians are not bound by these food laws anymore. 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:28.820 And I, for one, I'm thankful for that truth because I do enjoy a bacon butty on a Saturday lunchtime. 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:35.600 But the principle behind these laws is the same and still applies to Christians today. 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:42.260 We are to be different from the world around us and to live distinct lives. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:51.340 This won't have much to do with what we eat, but it will affect the other things we consume or use our time up with. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:59.100 1 Peter, that was read by Archie to us earlier, picks up on this and we have the same command. 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:03.800 Be holy, God says, because I am holy. 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:09.819 That same call to holiness exists today because God is still holy. 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:12.539 And we are his people. 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:18.279 Christians are to live in such a way that glorifies God. 00:11:18.839 --> 00:11:22.479 We are called to deny ourselves and take up our cross. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:25.559 To die to self and live for Christ. 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:29.919 So this will affect the way we speak. 00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:34.279 The things we do, the things we fill our minds with. 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:39.459 If our work colleagues are gossiping about the boss, we are to be different. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:46.919 If our family or friends are doing something that is contrary to the Bible, we are called to be different. 00:11:48.339 --> 00:11:56.679 If our world is on a path that deviates from the Bible on so many areas, we as Christians are called to be different. 00:11:56.679 --> 00:12:02.899 Friends, Christians are called to be in this world, but not of this world. 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:08.120 And this will look different for each of us, but the principle is the same. 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:15.979 We are to be different because we serve a holy God and because we are to be holy. 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:20.179 And we'll hear more about this holiness in two weeks time. 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:26.639 But God is saying in Leviticus chapter 11, nation of Israel, you must be distinct. 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:32.279 And every single meal is a reminder of that difference between you and the world. 00:12:33.739 --> 00:12:39.859 But like Jesus says in Mark 7, being unclean is not only a matter of what goes in. 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:43.959 It is a matter of what comes out, what is in the heart. 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:46.059 It goes much deeper. 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:54.539 So the second thing we see in this passage that makes a person in the nation of Israel unclean is who you are. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:58.619 In chapters 12 to 15, who you are. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:05.419 Now chapters 12 to 15 are full of laws and details that might make some of us blush. 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:14.539 Laws about childbirth, skin diseases, leprosy on the body, mildew on clothes and leprosy in a house. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:22.360 And lastly, laws about bodily discharges for both men and women from their genitals. 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:34.699 Now let me start off by saying that these laws are pointing to the fact that the Lord's people are not made unclean only by external things. 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:42.539 But these laws show that the people of God by their very nature are unclean and therefore God cannot dwell with them. 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:48.480 Now we won't cover everything in these chapters, but let's look at chapter 12 together. 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:57.860 After a mother gives birth to a child, they are considered ceremonially unclean and unable to join in corporate worship. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:10.440 Only after a time of purifying was the mother able to go to the priest who would sacrifice an animal, a lamb for those who could afford it, or two doves or pigeons for the poor. 00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:15.100 And atonement would be made and they would be considered clean again. 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:19.259 Now there are two questions we have to deal with here. 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:31.000 Firstly, you'll see from verse 3 and verse 5 that the time of purification is double for the mother who gives birth to a girl than it is for a boy. 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.639 Why? 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:42.519 When we maybe read this kind of thing today, we might think about gender bias or ask the question, is God being sexist? 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:45.879 Well, that's not what's going on here at all. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:56.100 We don't know exactly why this is the case, but one reason could be that the daughters might themselves become future mothers. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:01.559 And therefore have the same discharges. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:16.599 However, we don't know for certain, but this is not discriminating against girls because the way to be made clean after giving birth to a boy or a girl is exactly the same through the blood of a sacrifice. 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:26.459 We also know that throughout the Bible, God explains that he sees men and women of equal worth and dignity. 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:31.800 Now this is a very big and very relevant topic. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:37.320 So if you'd like to talk about this afterwards or ask questions, please do get in touch with me. 00:15:37.400 --> 00:15:39.840 I would love to chat to you about it. 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:44.100 The second question we need to ask is why? 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:53.680 Why are women being called unclean after giving birth when God created them with the capacity to have children? 00:15:53.679 --> 00:16:04.179 Well, the problem clearly isn't the pregnancy or the child. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:08.659 No sacrifices were required at any point during the pregnancy. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:18.120 And we see later on in the Bible that these were the same rituals that Mary had to do when she gave birth to the perfect son of God, Jesus Christ. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:24.080 God is not punishing women for their ability to have children. 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:27.700 After all, it was God who created them with that ability. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:36.500 But it is to be a reminder to women and to the whole family, the whole household who would be affected by these laws. 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:41.399 That uncleanliness comes from within a person. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:48.199 The uncleanliness seems to originate from the bodily discharges. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:51.439 And we'll look at those in just a minute. 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:57.699 So chapters 13 and 14 are all about skin diseases and impurities. 00:16:58.039 --> 00:17:00.100 Mold and mildew in clothes. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:03.199 Leprosy on a person and in a home. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:17.720 These laws on physical purity highlight the holiness of God and the necessity for purity in every aspect of life to be able to have a relationship with him. 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:21.420 Now, the pattern is essentially the same throughout. 00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:24.759 And we'll see an example of this in chapter 13. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:28.039 It's kind of like I was going to see a doctor today. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:31.240 We might find a blemish on our skin. 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.680 And so we dive into action. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:36.839 Verse 2, we call the priest and we have our appointment. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:41.220 Verse 3, we get the diagnosis of what the issue might be. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:47.099 And verse 4, we go into isolation for seven days to see if it clears up. 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:50.980 And we're pretty used to the idea of isolating by now, aren't we? 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:56.759 And then verse 6, if it improves, then you are good to go. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.420 You can return back to normal life in Israel. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:06.440 And verse 7, if there is no improvement, you circle back to verse 2 and you start again. 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:10.960 Now, all of these things in these chapters are normal. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.759 And they would have affected every Israelite. 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:20.940 Uncleanliness has permeated all of society from the youngest to the oldest. 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:26.759 Every Israelite had to ask themselves the question, am I clean or not? 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:32.820 Have I done something that means I can't worship God as he wants me to? 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:41.019 Spots and blemishes, impurities of the skin, rashes are often part of everyday life. 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.259 So why is this here? 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:46.160 Why did God put this here for the people of Israel? 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:53.019 Well, to highlight the fact that it is not only external things that make you unclean, 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:56.940 but it is who you are naturally that makes you unclean. 00:18:57.660 --> 00:19:01.160 And the uncleanliness permeates the whole of life. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:04.160 And the Israelites needed atonement. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:09.800 But now it gets more interesting as we turn to chapter 15. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:16.240 Here we read laws about bodily discharges for both men and women to do with their genitals. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:23.860 We don't need to be embarrassed by our bodies or ashamed of the things that they naturally do or produce. 00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:31.240 The reality is that God created our bodies and he knows and cares for every aspect of our lives. 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:39.279 So in verses 1 to 18, we see they're about bodily discharges for men. 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:44.200 And verses 19 to 30 are about bodily discharges for women. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:49.660 Both containing sections of normal and abnormal uncleanliness. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:58.620 Sacrifices only needed to be made for the abnormal bodily discharges mentioned in this passage. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:06.039 But there were still isolation periods and the charge of uncleanliness with normal bodily functions. 00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:11.579 So for example, verse 16 is about an emission of semen. 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:15.319 Kind of like a wet dream that a teenage boy can have. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:20.739 And verses 17 to 18 is about sex between a husband and a wife. 00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:25.639 Verses 19 to 24 is about a woman's menstrual cycle. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:31.240 These are normal bodily functions that are not sinful. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:35.580 After all, our bodies were created to do these things naturally. 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:41.040 But they are reminders to the nation of Israel of their uncleanness. 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:46.600 Which prevents a holy God from dwelling with them. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:56.699 Sex, semen, periods, bodily discharges during pregnancy are not unclean because they are bad. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:59.839 Or because God is being prudish. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:07.259 They are unclean because a person has lost fluids that contain, create and sustain life. 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:16.640 The reason atonement needed to be made for the abnormal discharges, deadly skin diseases, discharges during pregnancy, 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:20.200 was because they had the potential to lead to death. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:24.099 Death and life cannot mix. 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:32.500 Therefore, an unclean person cannot enter God's holy presence because God is life. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:35.680 That's what God says in verse 31. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:40.079 You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:47.279 so that they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them. 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:55.900 All of these things were to act as a daily reminder to the people of God that they are naturally unclean. 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:58.160 And they need to be made clean. 00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:05.360 It was a constant reminder because their apparent cleanliness didn't last long at all. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:11.940 The sacrifices didn't make them clean forever, but just until the next thing happened that made them unclean. 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:17.940 It was a reminder that they were to be different from the world around them. 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:22.540 Separate, distinct, set apart by God. 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:30.819 And all of this points to the need of a greater sacrifice, a greater atonement, and a greater cleansing. 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:39.740 The people deemed unclean by all of these things would feel on the outskirts of society for a period of time. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:45.859 Unable to join in normal life, but Jesus comes and meets those people in the outskirts. 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:53.579 He meets both a leper and a bleeding woman in their isolation and their pain in Luke 5 and 8. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:58.479 And he shows them love and compassion and he heals them with a touch. 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:06.959 These were people who were deemed unclean by the law, but Jesus touches them and makes them whole. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:13.960 Friends, the Bible tells us that we are all naturally born unclean. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:21.140 We're no longer made unclean by these things mentioned in Leviticus 11 to 15. 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:27.960 But we are made unclean by the sin that is entrenched in every single human heart. 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:31.680 Each of us has sinned and rebelled against God. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:34.960 And so we're not worthy of his holy presence in our lives. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:44.680 So whilst these laws about spots and bodily discharges don't apply to us under the new covenant anymore, 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:47.220 the principle is still the same. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:53.579 We are naturally unclean and therefore a holy God cannot dwell with us. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:59.880 The Old Testament sacrifices were not sufficient to cleanse a person. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:03.240 That's why it needed to happen again and again and again. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.319 But now. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:13.460 Jesus, who was and is the perfect Lamb of God, being God in the flesh, took our place on the cross. 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:20.259 He made the perfect, the final atonement for the sins of the Lord's people possible. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:26.759 And so what does Peter say in 1 Peter 1 that was read to us earlier? 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:36.720 We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and that through him we have been set apart, 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:41.619 made pure, called to be lights to the people around us. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:48.119 Friends, do you see that even though these specific laws don't apply to us today, 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.660 the principle is the same. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:56.480 For a holy God, to dwell with an unholy people, we must be cleansed. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:01.480 And a cleansed people must be different from the world around us. 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:07.540 And we need to call them to him because he is holy and he wants to dwell with people. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:13.240 So if you're listening in this morning and you are a Christian, 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:18.019 you have been made clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:23.960 And the amazing news continues because God doesn't dwell in a tent near your house 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:27.200 or in a church building in your community. 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:32.059 You have the Holy Spirit, God the Spirit living within you. 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:37.960 And this means that we have a responsibility to run from sin, 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:42.639 to come in repentance to a holy God, 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:50.480 and to live godly lives as he calls us to in 1 Peter 1, 13, where it says this, 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:54.259 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:59.819 set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:02.359 As obedient children, 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:08.679 do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:13.500 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:17.740 For it is written, be holy because I am holy. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:23.639 Christians have been made clean through Jesus. 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:27.019 And we are called to live clean lives for him 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:29.500 and through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:33.980 And we are called to take that wonderful news of reconciliation with God, 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:36.460 of purification from sin, 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:41.920 of freedom from judgment to the watching world that is dying without knowing him. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:50.340 All of this should lead us to thank Jesus and to go into the world and spread the good news. 00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:56.860 Our holiness should, must lead to evangelism. 00:26:59.080 --> 00:27:01.680 Well, maybe you're listening to this and you're not a Christian. 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:07.400 Well, let me be honest and say that the Bible says that in the eyes of a holy God, 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.400 you are unclean. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:12.960 You're unclean because of the sin that resides in your heart 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:15.620 and because you are rejecting of God. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.620 The Bible presents you with that problem. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:23.700 But God also gives you the solution in Jesus Christ. 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:31.519 Will you listen to this merciful, gracious God who calls you to follow him 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:34.259 and to be made right through Jesus? 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:42.160 Think back to how our standards of cleanliness change maybe as we go through life. 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:45.140 In reality, none of that matters. 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:51.920 The only cleanliness that matters is whether we are clean in the sight of a holy God 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:57.039 and whether we have been made right through the sacrificial death of Jesus 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:59.519 who made atonement for our sins. 00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:01.800 Let's pray. 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:08.039 Father, we come before you in recognition that we are sinful, 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:13.900 that we are naturally unclean and not deserving of your presence. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:18.540 And yet we thank you that in your infinite grace and mercy, 00:28:18.540 --> 00:28:23.200 you sent your son Jesus Christ to be the perfect sacrificial lamb 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:25.700 who would not only atone for sins for a wee while, 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:29.040 but who made our atonement final, 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:35.740 who made it possible for us to become sons and daughters of the living and holy God. 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:47.359 Father, no amount of words in any language under the sun 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:49.799 could explain how thankful we are 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:53.039 for Jesus. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:55.740 And it is in his name that we pray. 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:56.920 Amen.