Priest

Leviticus 16
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Pastor Colin continues our journey through the Bible, emphasising that the entire Bible is one unified story, centred on Jesus Christ. From its beginning in a garden to its conclusion in a city, every part of the Bible points to Him.

Pastor Colin shares a personal story from over 30 years ago when he met missionary Tony Howarth in England. Tony worked with New Tribes Mission in Northern Thailand, dedicating his life to reaching an unreached tribal group. He learned their language, built a home, and introduced the gospel to them by teaching the Bible story.

Tony explained that teaching the Bible story provides the essential building blocks for understanding who God is, who we are, and why we need Jesus Christ. This approach remains relevant for the church today, particularly in an increasingly secular culture.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,240 We are continuing our one-year journey through the Bible and we are discovering that the entire Bible is one story 2 00:00:08,440 –> 00:00:16,120 It begins in a garden. It ends in a city and all the way through it is about Jesus Christ and 3 00:00:17,400 –> 00:00:19,400 the importance of 4 00:00:19,959 –> 00:00:21,959 telling the Bible story 5 00:00:22,680 –> 00:00:26,520 First came home to me now more than 30 years ago 6 00:00:27,360 –> 00:00:32,660 When I met in England a missionary by the name of Tony howarth 7 00:00:33,400 –> 00:00:40,500 Tony had served for many years with New Tribes mission. Some of you will have heard of that marvelous organization 8 00:00:40,639 –> 00:00:42,639 He had dedicated his life 9 00:00:43,080 –> 00:00:44,919 to reaching an 10 00:00:44,919 –> 00:00:46,119 unreached 11 00:00:46,119 –> 00:00:52,020 tribal group of people who lived in a remote part of northern Thailand 12 00:00:52,700 –> 00:00:57,080 When I met Tony he told me his story of how he had first 13 00:00:57,840 –> 00:01:02,000 Introduced himself to these tribal people. I mean this is fascinating stuff 14 00:01:02,759 –> 00:01:09,739 How they invited him to make his home with them in their community how he built his own home 15 00:01:10,379 –> 00:01:12,300 learned their language 16 00:01:12,300 –> 00:01:17,139 Extraordinary wrote their language for the very first time it had never been written before. I was 17 00:01:17,699 –> 00:01:20,379 absolutely in awe of this man’s life’s work 18 00:01:22,019 –> 00:01:24,080 And I remember asking him Tony 19 00:01:25,519 –> 00:01:27,519 How in the world 20 00:01:27,779 –> 00:01:29,779 Do you explain the gospel? 21 00:01:31,000 –> 00:01:35,120 to people who don’t have the first idea of who God is and 22 00:01:36,360 –> 00:01:38,360 he said 23 00:01:38,419 –> 00:01:40,419 We teach them the Bible story 24 00:01:41,519 –> 00:01:43,519 We teach them the Bible story 25 00:01:45,660 –> 00:01:49,940 The Bible story actually gives the building blocks in 26 00:01:50,139 –> 00:01:53,339 In which a person who may know absolutely nothing 27 00:01:54,900 –> 00:01:57,199 Comes to grasp who God is 28 00:01:58,000 –> 00:02:03,660 who we are and why it is that we need Jesus Christ and 29 00:02:05,339 –> 00:02:12,460 The question how do you explain the gospel to a person who really doesn’t know the first thing about who God is 30 00:02:12,639 –> 00:02:19,119 Is that just seems to me to be a very relevant question for the church trying to minister in an increasingly 31 00:02:19,300 –> 00:02:22,300 secular culture in which we live today and 32 00:02:22,800 –> 00:02:28,240 So the aim of the series is not only that we would better grasp the Bible story 33 00:02:28,740 –> 00:02:33,740 Ourselves the aim of this series throughout the entire year is to equip you 34 00:02:34,320 –> 00:02:38,100 So that you will be able to explain the Bible story 35 00:02:38,380 –> 00:02:43,119 To lead another person through the Bible story a person who may have very little idea 36 00:02:43,179 –> 00:02:48,779 Of who God is or who they are or why Jesus Christ needed to come into the world 37 00:02:49,279 –> 00:02:55,520 And I want just to remind you again at this point in our journey of the new website that exists to help you in that 38 00:02:55,520 –> 00:03:01,080 regard open the bible org if you check that out, you will find three things there. 39 00:03:01,179 –> 00:03:05,279 First you’ll find the 50 passages of scripture that we are 40 00:03:05,479 –> 00:03:12,639 journeying through throughout the course of this year. 50 chapters from the Bible to be read or to be heard there in both written and 41 00:03:12,639 –> 00:03:14,860 audio form and then 50 42 00:03:15,399 –> 00:03:18,339 explanations one for each of these chapters that are a 43 00:03:18,740 –> 00:03:23,479 Condensation of what we’re learning weekend by weekend as we go through this year. Again 44 00:03:23,479 –> 00:03:29,479 That’s in short form. You can read it or you can hear it. It’s about 12 minutes of audio 45 00:03:29,740 –> 00:03:31,520 very very simple 46 00:03:31,520 –> 00:03:37,839 explanation of each of these chapters that we’re journeying through in the course of this year and then the third thing you’ll find is 47 00:03:37,979 –> 00:03:39,979 five questions 48 00:03:39,979 –> 00:03:44,139 five questions on each of these chapters that you could talk about 49 00:03:44,240 –> 00:03:50,279 with another friend who would also have listened to the explanation and have read the passage and our 50 00:03:50,839 –> 00:03:51,759 congregation 51 00:03:51,759 –> 00:03:58,119 are the very first people to be using this I am thrilled to be hearing stories from all over the 52 00:03:58,179 –> 00:04:04,899 Congregation of people who are already at using this some folks who have just spoken to a friend 53 00:04:05,419 –> 00:04:10,360 Invited a friend and said would you be interested in learning about the bible and taking a journey through the Bible with me? 54 00:04:10,360 –> 00:04:13,240 and they’re meeting over a cup of coffee each week and 55 00:04:14,179 –> 00:04:17,799 listening in advance and talking about the five questions very very simple 56 00:04:17,799 –> 00:04:22,760 We got folks who are doing it on FaceTime with other people on the other side of the world 57 00:04:23,260 –> 00:04:28,339 Listening to or reading the passage of Scripture the short explanation and then talking 58 00:04:28,839 –> 00:04:33,480 FaceTime week by week about these five simple questions 59 00:04:33,480 –> 00:04:35,980 So I commend this to you with this question? 60 00:04:36,519 –> 00:04:41,920 who is there in your life or in your circle of influence? 61 00:04:42,859 –> 00:04:45,700 who needs to know the Bible better and 62 00:04:47,179 –> 00:04:49,179 might be open 63 00:04:49,279 –> 00:04:52,160 to open the Bible with you in 64 00:04:52,859 –> 00:04:58,600 You invited them to take this journey that we’re taking each weekend as we continue through the year you can start anytime 65 00:04:59,260 –> 00:05:01,440 You can go at your own pace 66 00:05:01,839 –> 00:05:06,739 but I commend open the Bible org to you as a resource that you can use and 67 00:05:07,079 –> 00:05:11,920 In God’s kindness perhaps what begins here in this church with this congregation? 68 00:05:12,040 –> 00:05:15,339 Reaching out will in God’s kindness in future months and years 69 00:05:16,179 –> 00:05:22,660 Used by many many others for his praise and for his glory now as we have the Bible open 70 00:05:22,660 –> 00:05:26,660 Let’s have a quick review then of what we have learned in these first weeks 71 00:05:27,100 –> 00:05:29,279 We saw that God introduces himself 72 00:05:29,420 –> 00:05:32,920 In the Bible as our creator and as our owner 73 00:05:33,239 –> 00:05:39,440 He fills the life of the first man and the first woman with good things and every good gift in your life 74 00:05:39,880 –> 00:05:42,100 comes from the hand of God 75 00:05:42,799 –> 00:05:45,179 But then we saw that there was a great catastrophe 76 00:05:46,440 –> 00:05:53,859 adam and eve chose the knowledge of evil that changed everything it changed their home their marriage their children their work their 77 00:05:53,859 –> 00:06:00,079 World they changed everything they were alienated from God and they came under a dreadful curse 78 00:06:01,839 –> 00:06:09,000 We’ve seen from the beginning that God the God who is our creator and is our owner that God is love and 79 00:06:09,700 –> 00:06:14,980 From the very beginning of the Bible through to the end. God is working a plan a 80 00:06:15,579 –> 00:06:18,820 plan in which he will remove the curse and 81 00:06:20,320 –> 00:06:24,640 Reconcile us to himself a plan that will come at 82 00:06:25,640 –> 00:06:27,359 unimaginable cost 83 00:06:27,359 –> 00:06:29,359 to Almighty God 84 00:06:30,000 –> 00:06:32,399 we saw that God stepped into the life of 85 00:06:32,700 –> 00:06:37,859 Abraham a man who worshiped idols God just broke into his life and said I will bless you 86 00:06:38,339 –> 00:06:39,339 and 87 00:06:39,339 –> 00:06:42,660 Through you all the families of the earth will be blessed 88 00:06:43,459 –> 00:06:45,799 Blessing is going to come to people 89 00:06:46,540 –> 00:06:52,660 across the face of the planet and it will come through the line of Abraham and so the Bible story is 90 00:06:52,980 –> 00:06:58,820 Following the line of descent from Abraham Abraham Isaac Jacob, and as we followed the story 91 00:06:58,820 –> 00:07:06,779 We’ve seen that this extended family has become over a period of time now a community a nation of around 92 00:07:07,619 –> 00:07:09,619 Two-million people they suffer terribly 93 00:07:10,140 –> 00:07:16,260 But God heard their cry and delivered them with a mighty hand and brought them out of the slavery 94 00:07:16,260 –> 00:07:21,220 they had endured and then God brings them to mount Sinai where we were last week and 95 00:07:22,440 –> 00:07:24,440 there they discover that 96 00:07:25,980 –> 00:07:28,079 The God who loves them is 97 00:07:29,640 –> 00:07:31,640 Holy 98 00:07:32,040 –> 00:07:34,040 How Holy 99 00:07:35,019 –> 00:07:38,640 So holy that is like a consuming fire 100 00:07:40,140 –> 00:07:45,739 That causes a mountain to tremble when the presence of God comes near the mountain shakes 101 00:07:47,299 –> 00:07:49,299 The mountain shakes 102 00:07:49,660 –> 00:07:52,540 And here we are sinners 103 00:07:53,720 –> 00:07:59,500 And we cannot get near to this God who loves us because he is holy 104 00:07:59,540 –> 00:08:01,540 Holy 105 00:08:01,959 –> 00:08:04,920 Exodus 33 verse 5 I’m still trying to take this in 106 00:08:06,299 –> 00:08:11,839 If for a single moment God says I should go up among you, I would consume you 107 00:08:13,399 –> 00:08:15,559 Wow 108 00:08:15,640 –> 00:08:22,299 So then how can we who are loved by God find peace with this God who has made us who owns us who Loves us 109 00:08:22,299 –> 00:08:28,279 How can we find peace with this God who is awesome in his holiness and the answer that we’re discovering 110 00:08:28,359 –> 00:08:30,679 The Bible is putting these building blocks in place for us 111 00:08:30,679 –> 00:08:35,239 The answer the Bible is giving us is there must be an atonement 112 00:08:35,900 –> 00:08:41,400 We learned that word to last week. What is an atonement an atonement is what it takes to put right? 113 00:08:42,580 –> 00:08:44,580 Something that is wrong 114 00:08:44,859 –> 00:08:52,419 so the question is what then will it take to put right what is wrong between God and us and we saw first last 115 00:08:52,419 –> 00:08:54,419 Week that being sorry can’t do it 116 00:08:55,280 –> 00:08:57,280 then we saw that 117 00:08:57,340 –> 00:09:03,940 Painstaking obedience can’t do it. We saw that the greatest hero of the Old Testament Moses couldn’t do it 118 00:09:04,440 –> 00:09:07,440 So who or what can provide this atonement? 119 00:09:07,960 –> 00:09:10,780 That is needed that’s where we are in the story 120 00:09:11,760 –> 00:09:13,479 We’ve seen that 121 00:09:13,479 –> 00:09:15,479 atonement is made through a sacrifice 122 00:09:16,840 –> 00:09:19,159 It’s made through a substitute and 123 00:09:19,659 –> 00:09:22,020 It’s made through a life that is laid down 124 00:09:22,239 –> 00:09:27,820 But even the greatest hero of the Old Testament doesn’t qualify to lay down his life as the atonement 125 00:09:29,080 –> 00:09:31,080 We saw that the ram 126 00:09:31,539 –> 00:09:37,700 The rams life was laid down and Isaac’s life was spared Isaac lived and the ram died 127 00:09:37,940 –> 00:09:43,700 we saw that on the night of the Passover the lamb dies and the oldest son lives we 128 00:09:43,900 –> 00:09:48,739 Saw last week that the sacrifice of the burnt offering the sin offering 129 00:09:48,900 –> 00:09:53,739 Brings back the presence of this holy God to the people who he loves 130 00:09:56,059 –> 00:10:03,380 Step by step God is putting in place what we need to know in order to understand Jesus 131 00:10:05,179 –> 00:10:07,099 Who God is 132 00:10:07,099 –> 00:10:09,000 Who we are? 133 00:10:09,000 –> 00:10:11,000 what is needed to 134 00:10:11,080 –> 00:10:14,859 make us right with God and atonement and therefore why 135 00:10:15,380 –> 00:10:18,619 Jesus Christ came into the world now 136 00:10:18,619 –> 00:10:23,739 That’s where we’ve got to in the Bible story over these last weeks now today 137 00:10:24,460 –> 00:10:26,460 I’ve been looking forward to today 138 00:10:27,280 –> 00:10:29,280 Today, we’re going to see 139 00:10:30,500 –> 00:10:36,919 How the Atonement was accomplished and how it gets applied to us 140 00:10:37,979 –> 00:10:44,580 And I think this is one of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament Leviticus in chapter 16 141 00:10:44,580 –> 00:10:49,799 I hope you will come to love it today if you don’t love it already. I think it is the clearest 142 00:10:50,539 –> 00:10:53,859 visual aid in the entire Bible 143 00:10:55,440 –> 00:10:57,440 Now let me set the scene 144 00:10:58,619 –> 00:11:01,419 We saw it last week that God gave 145 00:11:02,640 –> 00:11:04,020 EXACT 146 00:11:04,020 –> 00:11:05,140 INSTRUCTIONS 147 00:11:05,140 –> 00:11:09,859 for making the tabernacle, which was this tent like structure 148 00:11:10,700 –> 00:11:14,799 To which God said his presence would come down 149 00:11:15,799 –> 00:11:21,599 At the center of this tent like structure that moved with the people called the tabernacle 150 00:11:21,619 –> 00:11:26,119 There was an area that was called the Most Holy Place 151 00:11:26,400 –> 00:11:31,799 It was screened off, of course by a very heavy curtain 152 00:11:32,340 –> 00:11:35,380 And in this inner area, this Most Holy Place 153 00:11:35,820 –> 00:11:40,460 there was the Ark of The Covenant that we looked at last week 154 00:11:40,500 –> 00:11:45,520 This wooden chest that was carried on poles 155 00:11:45,640 –> 00:11:49,659 that went through rings that were attached to the sides of it 156 00:11:51,020 –> 00:11:53,900 Now I want you just to try and picture this Ark of The Covenant 157 00:11:53,940 –> 00:11:56,400 because it’s important for understanding the story 158 00:11:56,440 –> 00:12:00,140 Imagine this box about 4 feet by 2 feet deep 159 00:12:01,080 –> 00:12:03,840 and on the lid of the box 160 00:12:03,960 –> 00:12:09,000 there are two golden figures like statues 161 00:12:09,520 –> 00:12:12,859 They are figures of cherubim 162 00:12:13,299 –> 00:12:15,820 that is, angelic figures 163 00:12:16,080 –> 00:12:17,700 that right at the beginning of the Bible 164 00:12:17,739 –> 00:12:19,299 we’ve met the cherubim before 165 00:12:19,340 –> 00:12:23,039 where they were associated with the judgment of God 166 00:12:23,080 –> 00:12:25,159 Remember it was the cherubim 167 00:12:25,320 –> 00:12:28,679 who were placed with a flaming sword 168 00:12:28,719 –> 00:12:31,359 When Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden 169 00:12:31,400 –> 00:12:32,760 they were placed at the entrance 170 00:12:32,799 –> 00:12:36,020 so that the sinful man and the sinful woman 171 00:12:36,059 –> 00:12:38,919 could no longer accessible the life of paradise 172 00:12:38,960 –> 00:12:41,539 that they had once enjoyed 173 00:12:41,960 –> 00:12:44,659 So cherubim, then, were always associated 174 00:12:44,700 –> 00:12:47,820 angelic figures, associated with the judgment of God 175 00:12:47,859 –> 00:12:50,159 the flaming sword, and here they are 176 00:12:50,400 –> 00:12:54,059 engraved, these statues that represent them 177 00:12:54,260 –> 00:12:59,099 on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant 178 00:12:59,140 –> 00:13:02,479 Now, between these two golden statues 179 00:13:02,599 –> 00:13:04,599 at one end or the other of the lid 180 00:13:04,760 –> 00:13:06,119 in the middle area 181 00:13:06,159 –> 00:13:07,780 there was an area on the lid 182 00:13:07,820 –> 00:13:11,820 that was known as the Mercy Seat 183 00:13:12,059 –> 00:13:13,580 the Mercy Seat 184 00:13:13,900 –> 00:13:17,340 and in Exodus, chapter 25, God says this 185 00:13:17,419 –> 00:13:20,979 there I will meet you 186 00:13:21,840 –> 00:13:24,559 and from above the Mercy Seat 187 00:13:24,739 –> 00:13:27,940 from between the two cherubim 188 00:13:28,320 –> 00:13:31,479 that are on the Ark of the Testimony 189 00:13:31,919 –> 00:13:33,039 I will speak with you 190 00:13:33,059 –> 00:13:34,380 so you see the description 191 00:13:34,380 –> 00:13:35,380 there are these two statues 192 00:13:35,380 –> 00:13:36,760 there’s the Mercy Seat on the lid 193 00:13:36,760 –> 00:13:37,559 in the middle 194 00:13:37,559 –> 00:13:39,859 and God says I will come down there 195 00:13:39,859 –> 00:13:41,679 and that’s the place where I’ll meet you 196 00:13:41,880 –> 00:13:43,400 right at the lid 197 00:13:43,559 –> 00:13:45,340 of the Ark of the Covenant 198 00:13:45,359 –> 00:13:47,200 that will be in the most holy place 199 00:13:47,200 –> 00:13:48,539 in this tent-like structure 200 00:13:48,539 –> 00:13:50,260 I’m going to come down 201 00:13:50,979 –> 00:13:52,419 and there I will meet with you 202 00:13:52,419 –> 00:13:53,700 and you remember how much the people 203 00:13:53,700 –> 00:13:56,520 longed that God would come to them again 204 00:13:56,659 –> 00:14:00,700 and longed to enjoy His presence 205 00:14:00,859 –> 00:14:03,859 now, one day in every year 206 00:14:04,039 –> 00:14:07,380 the Day of Atonement it was called 207 00:14:07,840 –> 00:14:09,479 the High Priest would go 208 00:14:09,500 –> 00:14:11,659 behind this heavy curtain 209 00:14:11,679 –> 00:14:14,700 into the most holy place 210 00:14:14,900 –> 00:14:16,400 and the Presence of God 211 00:14:16,400 –> 00:14:17,919 would indeed come down 212 00:14:17,940 –> 00:14:20,400 when a sacrifice was made 213 00:14:20,679 –> 00:14:22,900 look at Leviticus chapter 16 and verse 2 214 00:14:22,919 –> 00:14:24,440 he says the same thing again 215 00:14:24,640 –> 00:14:26,919 repeating what is in Exodus 25 216 00:14:27,260 –> 00:14:31,000 I will appear in the cloud 217 00:14:31,280 –> 00:14:34,260 over the mercy seat 218 00:14:35,440 –> 00:14:37,200 so this Day of Atonement 219 00:14:37,640 –> 00:14:38,799 when the Presence of God 220 00:14:38,799 –> 00:14:40,799 came down in the cloud 221 00:14:41,559 –> 00:14:42,900 to the mercy seat 222 00:14:42,900 –> 00:14:44,400 between the cherubim 223 00:14:44,400 –> 00:14:45,840 in the most Holy Place 224 00:14:45,840 –> 00:14:47,280 in the tabernacle 225 00:14:47,520 –> 00:14:50,159 this was of great, great importance 226 00:14:50,200 –> 00:14:51,479 in the Old Testament 227 00:14:51,479 –> 00:14:54,080 and it’s a huge significance for us 228 00:14:55,159 –> 00:14:56,119 very simply 229 00:14:56,960 –> 00:14:58,159 the Day of Atonement 230 00:14:58,159 –> 00:15:00,039 was like a great drama 231 00:15:00,679 –> 00:15:03,080 played out in five acts 232 00:15:03,080 –> 00:15:04,820 and I want you to try and picture this 233 00:15:04,820 –> 00:15:05,880 as best you can 234 00:15:06,200 –> 00:15:08,260 imagine it as if you were there 235 00:15:08,260 –> 00:15:09,239 act one 236 00:15:10,039 –> 00:15:12,359 the priest appears 237 00:15:13,520 –> 00:15:15,280 Now if you saw the High Priest 238 00:15:15,280 –> 00:15:16,719 on any normal day 239 00:15:17,280 –> 00:15:18,859 you would immediately have known 240 00:15:18,859 –> 00:15:21,179 that he was one of the most important people 241 00:15:21,179 –> 00:15:22,260 in the land 242 00:15:23,200 –> 00:15:25,359 because as we saw earlier in Exodus 243 00:15:25,359 –> 00:15:27,179 there were magnificent robes 244 00:15:27,179 –> 00:15:29,200 that were made for the High Priest 245 00:15:29,200 –> 00:15:29,880 that 246 00:15:29,880 –> 00:15:31,640 befitted the dignity 247 00:15:31,640 –> 00:15:33,239 and the distinction 248 00:15:33,239 –> 00:15:34,739 of the office 249 00:15:34,739 –> 00:15:36,219 that he held 250 00:15:36,460 –> 00:15:38,479 If you saw the High Priest 251 00:15:38,479 –> 00:15:39,460 normally 252 00:15:39,460 –> 00:15:40,359 it would be like 253 00:15:40,359 –> 00:15:42,599 in Britain seeing royalty 254 00:15:43,219 –> 00:15:44,679 on a state occasion 255 00:15:45,940 –> 00:15:48,539 but on this one day in the year 256 00:15:48,960 –> 00:15:50,719 the day of atonement 257 00:15:51,359 –> 00:15:55,400 the High Priest discarded his magnificent robes 258 00:15:56,179 –> 00:15:58,340 and appeared in public 259 00:15:59,599 –> 00:16:01,140 dressed simply 260 00:16:01,140 –> 00:16:03,659 in simple white cloth 261 00:16:03,659 –> 00:16:07,359 the kind of clothing that the lowest servant 262 00:16:07,359 –> 00:16:08,520 would wear 263 00:16:09,299 –> 00:16:10,419 that’s verse 4 264 00:16:10,419 –> 00:16:11,260 that was read for us 265 00:16:11,260 –> 00:16:12,760 He shall put on the holy linen coat 266 00:16:12,760 –> 00:16:13,479 and 267 00:16:13,479 –> 00:16:15,900 shall have the linen undergarment on his body 268 00:16:15,900 –> 00:16:18,679 he shall tie the linen sash around his waist 269 00:16:18,679 –> 00:16:20,380 and wear the linen turban 270 00:16:20,380 –> 00:16:21,739 these are the holy garments 271 00:16:21,739 –> 00:16:23,400 he shall bathe his body in water 272 00:16:23,400 –> 00:16:25,559 and then he shall put them on 273 00:16:26,739 –> 00:16:28,460 now I want you to imagine the scene 274 00:16:28,460 –> 00:16:29,859 crowds are out 275 00:16:29,859 –> 00:16:32,320 this is a community of two million people 276 00:16:32,320 –> 00:16:33,380 encamped 277 00:16:34,119 –> 00:16:36,119 and on this day of atonement 278 00:16:36,119 –> 00:16:37,580 everybody is gathering 279 00:16:37,580 –> 00:16:39,739 and here comes the High Priest 280 00:16:39,739 –> 00:16:41,739 and people are trying to get a position 281 00:16:41,739 –> 00:16:43,260 to be able to see him 282 00:16:44,440 –> 00:16:47,200 the man who holds the most dignified office 283 00:16:47,200 –> 00:16:48,299 in the land 284 00:16:48,320 –> 00:16:49,599 and on this one day in the year 285 00:16:49,599 –> 00:16:52,719 he is dressed as a common slave 286 00:16:53,719 –> 00:16:55,539 and the people are lining the route 287 00:16:55,539 –> 00:16:57,179 as he kind of makes his way 288 00:16:57,179 –> 00:16:58,539 to the tabernacle 289 00:16:58,539 –> 00:17:00,000 makes me think of a boxer 290 00:17:00,000 –> 00:17:01,099 coming into the ring 291 00:17:01,099 –> 00:17:02,940 you know the kind of environment 292 00:17:02,940 –> 00:17:04,739 as he makes his way to the ring 293 00:17:04,739 –> 00:17:05,900 for a prize fight 294 00:17:05,900 –> 00:17:07,339 it must have been something like that 295 00:17:07,339 –> 00:17:10,040 and he’s just draped in this 296 00:17:10,040 –> 00:17:11,719 plain 297 00:17:11,719 –> 00:17:13,079 white 298 00:17:13,079 –> 00:17:14,359 linen 299 00:17:14,359 –> 00:17:15,199 Act Two 300 00:17:16,020 –> 00:17:18,020 The Priest Prepares 301 00:17:18,160 –> 00:17:18,739 Verse Six 302 00:17:19,780 –> 00:17:21,319 Aaron shall offer the bull 303 00:17:21,319 –> 00:17:23,819 as a sin offering for himself 304 00:17:23,819 –> 00:17:27,619 and he shall make atonement for himself 305 00:17:27,619 –> 00:17:29,780 and for his house 306 00:17:30,939 –> 00:17:32,199 before the 307 00:17:32,199 –> 00:17:34,000 High Priest can offer 308 00:17:34,000 –> 00:17:36,079 a sacrifice for the sins of the people 309 00:17:36,079 –> 00:17:38,319 his priority is 310 00:17:38,319 –> 00:17:40,699 a sacrifice for his own sins 311 00:17:42,199 –> 00:17:44,540 So a bull is brought forward 312 00:17:44,540 –> 00:17:46,880 and slaughtered in public view 313 00:17:48,079 –> 00:17:50,579 and then Aaron takes some of the blood of the bull 314 00:17:50,579 –> 00:17:52,760 goes in behind this heavy curtain 315 00:17:52,760 –> 00:17:54,339 to the most holy place 316 00:17:54,339 –> 00:17:56,459 where the presence of God would come down 317 00:17:56,459 –> 00:17:59,339 and there Aaron sprinkles 318 00:17:59,339 –> 00:18:01,640 the blood of this bull 319 00:18:01,640 –> 00:18:03,300 on the mercy seat 320 00:18:03,300 –> 00:18:05,680 between the two cherubim 321 00:18:05,680 –> 00:18:07,599 this is what God commands him to do 322 00:18:07,599 –> 00:18:08,819 this must have made a very clear 323 00:18:08,819 –> 00:18:10,079 impression on the people 324 00:18:11,280 –> 00:18:13,420 Here’s this most dignified person in the land 325 00:18:13,420 –> 00:18:15,439 and what he’s clearly, publicly communicating 326 00:18:15,439 –> 00:18:18,660 is that I, myself, also need a sacrifice 327 00:18:19,920 –> 00:18:22,260 I have sins of my own 328 00:18:22,260 –> 00:18:23,640 and therefore I am in no position 329 00:18:23,640 –> 00:18:26,060 to deal with yours 330 00:18:26,060 –> 00:18:28,000 Act number three 331 00:18:28,000 –> 00:18:30,599 atonement is made 332 00:18:30,599 –> 00:18:33,099 the high priest then comes out of the tabernacle 333 00:18:33,099 –> 00:18:34,680 and the people see him again 334 00:18:34,680 –> 00:18:38,579 this was an extraordinarily dramatic day 335 00:18:38,579 –> 00:18:39,719 at this point 336 00:18:39,719 –> 00:18:43,359 two goats are brought forward 337 00:18:43,359 –> 00:18:44,660 one of them will live 338 00:18:44,819 –> 00:18:46,800 and one of them will die 339 00:18:46,800 –> 00:18:47,619 verse 8 340 00:18:47,619 –> 00:18:51,800 Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats 341 00:18:51,800 –> 00:18:54,920 one lot for the Lord 342 00:18:54,920 –> 00:18:57,079 and the other lot 343 00:18:57,079 –> 00:18:59,439 for Azazel 344 00:18:59,439 –> 00:19:01,219 now if you look at the footnote in the Bible 345 00:19:01,219 –> 00:19:04,380 you will see that Azazel 346 00:19:04,380 –> 00:19:05,640 means scapegoat 347 00:19:05,640 –> 00:19:09,400 so I will refer to it simply in that way 348 00:19:09,400 –> 00:19:10,640 verse nine 349 00:19:10,640 –> 00:19:14,040 Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell 350 00:19:14,439 –> 00:19:18,660 and use it as a sin offering 351 00:19:18,660 –> 00:19:21,359 so one of these goats is going to live 352 00:19:21,359 –> 00:19:23,079 one is going to die 353 00:19:23,079 –> 00:19:25,959 which is decided by lots 354 00:19:25,959 –> 00:19:29,160 and then let’s take it up in verse fifteen 355 00:19:29,160 –> 00:19:32,119 then Aaron shall kill the goat 356 00:19:32,119 –> 00:19:33,959 of the sin offering 357 00:19:33,959 –> 00:19:36,239 that is for the people 358 00:19:36,239 –> 00:19:39,800 and bring its blood inside the veil 359 00:19:39,800 –> 00:19:43,760 and do with its blood what he did with the blood of the bull 360 00:19:43,760 –> 00:19:47,619 sprinkling it over the mercy seat 361 00:19:47,619 –> 00:19:50,380 and in front of the mercy seat 362 00:19:50,380 –> 00:19:54,520 so having made this sacrifice sprinkling the blood 363 00:19:54,520 –> 00:19:58,520 on the mercy seat between the cherubim for himself 364 00:19:58,520 –> 00:20:01,359 he now brings in the blood of the goat and 365 00:20:01,359 –> 00:20:03,199 sprinkles its blood 366 00:20:03,199 –> 00:20:05,040 on the mercy seat 367 00:20:05,040 –> 00:20:11,020 in regards to the sins of the people 368 00:20:11,020 –> 00:20:15,079 God is teaching us in pictures here 369 00:20:15,079 –> 00:20:17,180 when you can draw this 370 00:20:17,180 –> 00:20:18,439 and some of you might find it helpful 371 00:20:18,439 –> 00:20:19,979 to attempt to draw just to get it 372 00:20:19,979 –> 00:20:21,780 sealed into your mind 373 00:20:21,780 –> 00:20:24,300 God is using pictures to teach us 374 00:20:24,300 –> 00:20:27,359 here’s this mercy seat 375 00:20:27,359 –> 00:20:30,300 and it’s a flat surface between these two figures 376 00:20:30,300 –> 00:20:33,959 that represent God’s judgment 377 00:20:33,959 –> 00:20:38,640 and the blood is being sprinkled in this place 378 00:20:38,640 –> 00:20:40,599 so you see what is being said 379 00:20:40,680 –> 00:20:42,560 when the blood is sprinkled 380 00:20:42,560 –> 00:20:45,020 it’s as if judgment and mercy 381 00:20:45,020 –> 00:20:48,520 are being brought together 382 00:20:48,520 –> 00:20:51,479 judgment demands a death 383 00:20:51,479 –> 00:20:53,979 as the penalty for sin 384 00:20:53,979 –> 00:20:56,939 and it is satisfied 385 00:20:56,939 –> 00:21:01,119 mercy offers forgiveness to the sinner 386 00:21:01,119 –> 00:21:03,660 and it is released 387 00:21:03,660 –> 00:21:05,060 and mercy is released 388 00:21:05,060 –> 00:21:08,280 in the place of judgment 389 00:21:08,739 –> 00:21:13,000 when the blood of a sacrifice 390 00:21:13,000 –> 00:21:14,819 is sprinkled 391 00:21:14,819 –> 00:21:16,239 now why does it have to be blood 392 00:21:16,239 –> 00:21:18,199 why this thing with blood 393 00:21:18,199 –> 00:21:20,119 here’s the answer 394 00:21:20,119 –> 00:21:22,959 back in the garden of eden 395 00:21:22,959 –> 00:21:25,459 God made it very clear 396 00:21:25,459 –> 00:21:28,760 that sin leads to death 397 00:21:28,760 –> 00:21:32,160 that is why blood was sprinkled 398 00:21:32,160 –> 00:21:33,500 on the mercy seat 399 00:21:33,500 –> 00:21:35,099 because blood indicates 400 00:21:35,099 –> 00:21:38,099 that a death has taken place 401 00:21:38,579 –> 00:21:41,660 and this is very important 402 00:21:41,660 –> 00:21:45,219 notice that it was not tears 403 00:21:45,219 –> 00:21:47,180 of repentance that got sprinkled 404 00:21:47,180 –> 00:21:48,979 on the mercy seat 405 00:21:48,979 –> 00:21:52,160 notice it was not the sweat 406 00:21:52,160 –> 00:21:54,000 of human effort to obey 407 00:21:54,000 –> 00:21:55,459 all of God’s commands 408 00:21:55,459 –> 00:21:57,400 the best effort you can put 409 00:21:57,400 –> 00:22:00,280 that sprinkled on the mercy seat 410 00:22:00,280 –> 00:22:02,260 no, the justice of God 411 00:22:02,260 –> 00:22:04,800 is satisfied 412 00:22:04,819 –> 00:22:08,979 and atonement is made 413 00:22:08,979 –> 00:22:11,359 not by our tears of repentance 414 00:22:11,359 –> 00:22:13,699 or by our best effort at obedience 415 00:22:13,699 –> 00:22:16,900 but by the shed blood of the sacrifice 416 00:22:16,900 –> 00:22:18,800 that is sprinkled 417 00:22:18,800 –> 00:22:21,459 so that justice is satisfied 418 00:22:21,459 –> 00:22:24,380 and mercy is released 419 00:22:24,380 –> 00:22:27,579 that is how atonement is made 420 00:22:27,579 –> 00:22:30,060 and it is taught to us in pictures 421 00:22:30,060 –> 00:22:31,119 right here 422 00:22:31,119 –> 00:22:34,760 justice, mercy, a death 423 00:22:35,219 –> 00:22:36,660 justice satisfied 424 00:22:36,660 –> 00:22:39,939 mercy, forgiveness released 425 00:22:39,939 –> 00:22:41,920 Act IV 426 00:22:43,280 –> 00:22:45,040 the priest has appeared 427 00:22:45,040 –> 00:22:46,400 the priest has prepared 428 00:22:46,400 –> 00:22:48,099 atonement has been made 429 00:22:48,099 –> 00:22:50,880 and now the day got really dramatic 430 00:22:50,880 –> 00:22:53,520 if you were standing in the crowd 431 00:22:53,520 –> 00:22:57,140 Act IV would without doubt have been the most dramatic part 432 00:22:57,140 –> 00:22:59,819 in the entire day of atonement 433 00:22:59,819 –> 00:23:03,359 Act IV is that sin is confessed 434 00:23:03,599 –> 00:23:05,000 so having sprinkled the blood 435 00:23:05,000 –> 00:23:07,000 on behalf of the people now 436 00:23:07,319 –> 00:23:10,319 the high priest comes out from behind the curtain again 437 00:23:10,319 –> 00:23:11,680 and the second goat 438 00:23:11,680 –> 00:23:13,459 the one that was to live 439 00:23:13,459 –> 00:23:16,439 the second goat is brought to him 440 00:23:16,439 –> 00:23:18,319 and the second goat is brought forward 441 00:23:18,319 –> 00:23:19,719 because there is something else 442 00:23:19,719 –> 00:23:23,619 something very wonderful that God has to teach his people 443 00:23:23,619 –> 00:23:24,780 verse 21 444 00:23:25,819 –> 00:23:30,839 Aaron shall lay both his hands 445 00:23:31,540 –> 00:23:35,800 on the head of the live goat 446 00:23:35,800 –> 00:23:39,400 and confess over it 447 00:23:39,400 –> 00:23:42,520 all the iniquities of the people of Israel 448 00:23:42,520 –> 00:23:46,719 and all their transgressions 449 00:23:46,719 –> 00:23:49,079 and all their sins 450 00:23:49,079 –> 00:23:51,180 how would you have liked to be charged 451 00:23:51,180 –> 00:23:54,160 with that responsibility? 452 00:23:54,160 –> 00:23:55,599 a live goat 453 00:23:55,599 –> 00:23:59,900 and you got to lay both hands on the head of the live goat 454 00:23:59,959 –> 00:24:01,640 and you have to 455 00:24:01,640 –> 00:24:06,160 no doubt with this goat kicking around and making a dreadful noise 456 00:24:06,160 –> 00:24:09,819 you have now to publicly confess 457 00:24:09,819 –> 00:24:11,520 all 458 00:24:11,520 –> 00:24:13,939 the sins 459 00:24:13,939 –> 00:24:16,880 of the people of Israel 460 00:24:16,880 –> 00:24:21,500 so that’s going to be one long prayer, right? 461 00:24:21,500 –> 00:24:26,420 now imagine yourself standing there and listening to and observing this 462 00:24:27,040 –> 00:24:30,819 here’s what you’re going to experience 463 00:24:30,819 –> 00:24:34,280 the High Priest lays hold of the head of the live goat and begin to pray 464 00:24:34,280 –> 00:24:37,439 Almighty God 465 00:24:37,439 –> 00:24:43,540 we confess our idolatry, we have loved your gifts more than we have loved you 466 00:24:43,540 –> 00:24:46,300 we confess our envy, we have seen what 467 00:24:46,300 –> 00:24:52,219 you have given to others and we have coveted it for ourselves 468 00:24:52,219 –> 00:24:55,300 Almighty God, we confess our anger 469 00:24:55,300 –> 00:24:58,599 have been short-tempered, we have been resentful because we have been so 470 00:24:58,599 –> 00:25:02,439 determined to have our own way 471 00:25:02,439 –> 00:25:06,439 O God, we confess our stealing, we have not lived up to the trust that others 472 00:25:06,439 –> 00:25:08,180 have placed in us 473 00:25:08,180 –> 00:25:12,500 we confess our lies, we have evaded the truth, we have exaggerated, we have 474 00:25:12,500 –> 00:25:17,680 deceived we have embellished and we have distorted 475 00:25:17,680 –> 00:25:20,339 and as his prayer goes on and on 476 00:25:20,339 –> 00:25:23,780 you’re saying to yourself, yeah that sins one of mine 477 00:25:23,780 –> 00:25:26,060 that said since one of mine 478 00:25:26,060 –> 00:25:29,020 that’s one of mine 479 00:25:29,020 –> 00:25:31,119 now look at what the bible says 480 00:25:31,119 –> 00:25:33,319 verse twenty-one 481 00:25:33,319 –> 00:25:37,739 AARON SHALL LAY BOTH HIS HANDS ON THE HEAD OF THE LIVE GOAT AND CONFESS OVER IT 482 00:25:37,739 –> 00:25:43,180 ALL THE INGRIDEES OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS, THEIR SINS 483 00:25:43,180 –> 00:25:47,739 AND HE SHALL PUT THEM 484 00:25:47,739 –> 00:25:51,160 ON THE HEAD OF THE GOAT 485 00:25:51,160 –> 00:25:52,239 take that in 486 00:25:52,239 –> 00:25:58,199 he’ll confess these sins, your sins, my sins 487 00:25:58,199 –> 00:26:01,260 AND PUT THEM ON 488 00:26:01,260 –> 00:26:05,560 THE HEAD OF THE GOAT 489 00:26:05,560 –> 00:26:09,900 when the high priest confessed the sins of the people 490 00:26:09,900 –> 00:26:12,859 with his hands laid on 491 00:26:12,859 –> 00:26:18,819 the head of the live goat, an act of transfer took place 492 00:26:18,819 –> 00:26:21,520 God made it to be so 493 00:26:21,520 –> 00:26:26,400 God moved the guilt of the sins that we’re being confessed 494 00:26:26,400 –> 00:26:31,400 onto the goat so that these sins that were the sins of the people 495 00:26:31,400 –> 00:26:35,920 were no longer on the people, they were on the goat 496 00:26:35,920 –> 00:26:39,300 that is one very guilty goat 497 00:26:39,300 –> 00:26:41,800 Are you following with me? 498 00:26:41,800 –> 00:26:44,420 I mean this is as visual as you could be 499 00:26:44,420 –> 00:26:47,400 you imagine standing and seeing this? 500 00:26:47,400 –> 00:26:51,599 Which takes us to Act 5 which is absolutely marvellous 501 00:26:51,599 –> 00:26:55,479 Guilt is removed, what happens next on the Day of Atonement 502 00:26:55,479 –> 00:26:56,479 is just glorious 503 00:26:56,479 –> 00:26:59,119 Look at verse 21 and 22 now 504 00:26:59,119 –> 00:27:03,000 He shall put them, that is the confessed sins 505 00:27:03,000 –> 00:27:04,099 on the head of the goat 506 00:27:04,099 –> 00:27:05,819 And what happens next 507 00:27:05,819 –> 00:27:11,439 sent it away into the wilderness 508 00:27:11,439 –> 00:27:13,319 by the hand of a man who is in readiness 509 00:27:13,319 –> 00:27:15,800 and the goat shall bear all their iniquities 510 00:27:15,800 –> 00:27:16,800 On itself 511 00:27:16,839 –> 00:27:21,880 To a remote area 512 00:27:21,880 –> 00:27:25,000 So, what God is communicating is this 513 00:27:25,000 –> 00:27:28,760 That the guilt of your sins 514 00:27:28,760 –> 00:27:33,040 through His atonement is lifted off you 515 00:27:33,040 –> 00:27:35,219 It is now being laid on the goat 516 00:27:35,219 –> 00:27:40,719 and the goat is now being taken away 517 00:27:40,719 –> 00:27:44,479 and a man who is appointed for the task 518 00:27:44,599 –> 00:27:47,280 is responsible for leading this goat 519 00:27:47,280 –> 00:27:51,040 Imagine having that job now 520 00:27:51,040 –> 00:27:53,780 and this man leads the goat 521 00:27:53,780 –> 00:27:56,099 away from the tabernacle 522 00:27:56,099 –> 00:27:57,079 Now there’s two million people 523 00:27:57,079 –> 00:27:58,760 so he has to go all the way through 524 00:27:58,760 –> 00:28:00,260 the entire encampment 525 00:28:00,260 –> 00:28:03,959 past the tents, down the gaps between them 526 00:28:03,959 –> 00:28:07,040 and then beyond the camp 527 00:28:07,040 –> 00:28:08,880 and then out into the desert 528 00:28:08,880 –> 00:28:09,920 and you watch 529 00:28:09,920 –> 00:28:11,479 everyone’s watching 530 00:28:11,479 –> 00:28:14,119 until he’s only a dot on the horizon 531 00:28:14,119 –> 00:28:17,859 and then you can’t see the goat at all 532 00:28:17,859 –> 00:28:20,959 It’s gone 533 00:28:20,959 –> 00:28:22,959 Now God is using this most 534 00:28:22,959 –> 00:28:24,959 powerful visual aid 535 00:28:24,959 –> 00:28:28,819 to teach us how he deals with our sin 536 00:28:28,819 –> 00:28:32,040 You need an atonement 537 00:28:32,040 –> 00:28:34,719 and here’s how it happens 538 00:28:34,719 –> 00:28:37,260 You’re going to need a high priest 539 00:28:37,260 –> 00:28:39,099 who will be prepared to lay aside 540 00:28:39,099 –> 00:28:40,760 his dignity and his honour 541 00:28:40,760 –> 00:28:43,040 and take the form of a servant 542 00:28:43,079 –> 00:28:46,780 in order to provide atonement 543 00:28:46,780 –> 00:28:48,760 That priest will need to be prepared 544 00:28:48,760 –> 00:28:50,339 because a man with his own sins 545 00:28:50,339 –> 00:28:52,500 cannot atone for the sins 546 00:28:52,500 –> 00:28:55,079 of others 547 00:28:55,079 –> 00:28:56,400 Atonement will be made 548 00:28:56,400 –> 00:28:59,420 by the shdding of blood 549 00:28:59,420 –> 00:29:00,699 and the justice of God 550 00:29:00,699 –> 00:29:03,280 will be satisfied by the laying down 551 00:29:03,280 –> 00:29:05,339 of a life and it is in this way 552 00:29:05,339 –> 00:29:07,400 that mercy that brings forgiveness 553 00:29:07,400 –> 00:29:11,439 and reconciliation will be released 554 00:29:11,619 –> 00:29:13,459 When your sin is confessed 555 00:29:13,459 –> 00:29:16,699 your guilt is transferred 556 00:29:16,699 –> 00:29:18,380 and when your guilt is transferred 557 00:29:18,380 –> 00:29:20,479 God will take it away 558 00:29:20,479 –> 00:29:22,520 It’s beautiful 559 00:29:22,520 –> 00:29:23,260 I don’t think that there could 560 00:29:23,260 –> 00:29:24,880 possibly have been a clearer 561 00:29:24,880 –> 00:29:27,339 or a more powerful visual presentation 562 00:29:27,339 –> 00:29:29,180 of the gospel than that 563 00:29:29,180 –> 00:29:29,719 and it’s right here 564 00:29:29,719 –> 00:29:32,500 in the book of Leviticus 565 00:29:32,500 –> 00:29:34,339 The five act drama 566 00:29:34,339 –> 00:29:35,900 of the day of atonement 567 00:29:35,900 –> 00:29:37,020 was like a preview 568 00:29:37,020 –> 00:29:40,640 or if you like it was a trailer 569 00:29:40,900 –> 00:29:41,660 showing us 570 00:29:41,660 –> 00:29:42,939 what God would do 571 00:29:42,939 –> 00:29:44,579 in the fullness of time 572 00:29:44,579 –> 00:29:45,380 at the very center 573 00:29:45,380 –> 00:29:46,599 of the Bible story 574 00:29:46,599 –> 00:29:48,520 when Jesus Christ 575 00:29:48,520 –> 00:29:49,839 came to fulfil 576 00:29:49,839 –> 00:29:51,119 what the day of atonement 577 00:29:51,119 –> 00:29:53,819 wonderfully illustrates 578 00:29:53,819 –> 00:29:56,280 and so just think about this with me 579 00:29:56,280 –> 00:29:58,560 How then was atonement accomplished 580 00:29:58,560 –> 00:30:00,400 and how is it applied? 581 00:30:00,400 –> 00:30:02,079 Act one Christ appears 582 00:30:02,079 –> 00:30:03,680 Jesus Christ is 583 00:30:03,680 –> 00:30:05,719 Our great high priest 584 00:30:05,719 –> 00:30:06,979 He’s the Son of God 585 00:30:06,979 –> 00:30:09,920 His glory is incomparable 586 00:30:09,920 –> 00:30:10,979 nor greater than 587 00:30:10,979 –> 00:30:13,119 the glory of splendid clothes 588 00:30:13,119 –> 00:30:14,859 He shared the glory of the Father 589 00:30:14,859 –> 00:30:17,800 before the world began 590 00:30:17,800 –> 00:30:20,760 But He discards the glory that is His 591 00:30:20,760 –> 00:30:22,560 and He is born and laid in a manger 592 00:30:22,560 –> 00:30:23,400 and guess what? 593 00:30:23,400 –> 00:30:27,800 He’s wrapped in strips of cloth 594 00:30:27,800 –> 00:30:29,660 just like the High Priest 595 00:30:29,660 –> 00:30:32,780 wrapped in strips of cloth 596 00:30:32,780 –> 00:30:35,660 Second Christ is prepared 597 00:30:35,660 –> 00:30:37,660 He lives the life that is different 598 00:30:37,660 –> 00:30:39,699 from anyone else who has ever lived 599 00:30:39,979 –> 00:30:41,680 from anyone else who in history 600 00:30:41,680 –> 00:30:43,579 ever had the name Priest or High Priest 601 00:30:43,579 –> 00:30:45,300 he did the Father’s will 602 00:30:45,300 –> 00:30:46,380 He fulfilled all the work 603 00:30:46,380 –> 00:30:48,040 that the Father gave Him to do 604 00:30:48,040 –> 00:30:49,339 He committed no sin 605 00:30:49,339 –> 00:30:52,579 and He needed no sacrifice for Himself 606 00:30:52,579 –> 00:30:55,359 Therefore, uniquely 607 00:30:55,359 –> 00:30:56,359 He could do what Moses 608 00:30:56,359 –> 00:30:57,579 and He could not do 609 00:30:57,579 –> 00:30:58,900 what no other High Priest 610 00:30:58,900 –> 00:31:01,500 was able to actually fulfill 611 00:31:01,500 –> 00:31:03,500 He had the perfect life 612 00:31:03,500 –> 00:31:06,739 that He was then able to lay down 613 00:31:07,739 –> 00:31:09,839 as the atonement for our sins 614 00:31:09,839 –> 00:31:11,839 Jesus Alone could do 615 00:31:11,839 –> 00:31:13,319 what the other High Priests 616 00:31:13,319 –> 00:31:17,119 could only ever illustrate 617 00:31:17,119 –> 00:31:18,579 That gets us to Act 3 618 00:31:18,579 –> 00:31:21,160 Jesus makes atonement 619 00:31:21,160 –> 00:31:23,099 After 3 years 620 00:31:23,099 –> 00:31:24,520 of His public ministry 621 00:31:24,520 –> 00:31:26,199 Jesus was arrested 622 00:31:26,199 –> 00:31:27,739 He was sentenced 623 00:31:27,739 –> 00:31:29,459 He was crucified 624 00:31:29,459 –> 00:31:30,459 And on the Cross 625 00:31:30,459 –> 00:31:32,599 He became the sacrifice 626 00:31:32,599 –> 00:31:34,800 of atonement for our sins 627 00:31:34,800 –> 00:31:38,800 His blood was shed 628 00:31:38,800 –> 00:31:40,619 the justice of a Holy God 629 00:31:40,619 –> 00:31:41,939 was satisfied 630 00:31:41,939 –> 00:31:46,219 and mercy was released 631 00:31:46,219 –> 00:31:47,280 He made atonement 632 00:31:47,280 –> 00:31:48,199 for our sins 633 00:31:48,199 –> 00:31:49,300 on the Cross 634 00:31:49,300 –> 00:31:50,280 opening the way 635 00:31:50,280 –> 00:31:52,060 for our sins to be forgiven 636 00:31:52,060 –> 00:31:53,140 for the blessing 637 00:31:53,140 –> 00:31:55,099 and for the presence of God 638 00:31:55,099 –> 00:31:57,020 to come back into 639 00:31:57,020 –> 00:31:59,979 the lives of people like us 640 00:31:59,979 –> 00:32:02,140 And that takes us to 641 00:32:02,140 –> 00:32:04,439 Act 4 642 00:32:04,439 –> 00:32:07,479 Which is where we confess our sins 643 00:32:07,479 –> 00:32:09,079 Remember there were two goats 644 00:32:09,079 –> 00:32:11,459 on the Day of Atonement 645 00:32:11,459 –> 00:32:12,459 One was sacrificed 646 00:32:12,459 –> 00:32:14,300 the other led into the desert 647 00:32:14,300 –> 00:32:16,579 why two? 648 00:32:16,579 –> 00:32:18,239 Because both these animals 649 00:32:18,239 –> 00:32:20,260 helped us to understand 650 00:32:20,260 –> 00:32:21,800 what it is that Jesus does 651 00:32:21,800 –> 00:32:22,880 for his people 652 00:32:22,880 –> 00:32:24,939 What Jesus does is so wonderful 653 00:32:24,939 –> 00:32:26,040 that no one picture 654 00:32:26,040 –> 00:32:27,380 is enough to cover it all 655 00:32:27,380 –> 00:32:29,239 You have to put the two pictures together 656 00:32:29,239 –> 00:32:30,540 to get the sense of it 657 00:32:30,540 –> 00:32:32,680 He sacrificed his own life 658 00:32:32,959 –> 00:32:35,239 as the sacrifice of atonement 659 00:32:35,239 –> 00:32:36,239 for our sins 660 00:32:36,239 –> 00:32:37,900 as he laid down his life 661 00:32:37,900 –> 00:32:41,359 on the Cross 662 00:32:41,359 –> 00:32:42,640 But then he does something else 663 00:32:42,640 –> 00:32:45,260 He’s the one who takes our sin 664 00:32:45,260 –> 00:32:48,660 away from us 665 00:32:48,660 –> 00:32:50,000 And this is where you have 666 00:32:50,000 –> 00:32:52,859 a part to play in this Drama 667 00:32:52,859 –> 00:32:55,680 my friend 668 00:32:55,680 –> 00:32:58,359 Just as the high priest 669 00:32:58,359 –> 00:33:00,699 laid both his hands 670 00:33:00,819 –> 00:33:04,140 on the head of the live goat 671 00:33:04,140 –> 00:33:05,300 and confessed the sins 672 00:33:05,300 –> 00:33:07,920 of the people 673 00:33:07,920 –> 00:33:10,819 God invites you 674 00:33:10,819 –> 00:33:13,380 to lay hold of Jesus Christ 675 00:33:13,380 –> 00:33:14,500 by faith 676 00:33:14,500 –> 00:33:15,500 That’s what faith does 677 00:33:15,500 –> 00:33:17,199 It lays hold of Jesus Christ 678 00:33:17,199 –> 00:33:18,140 trusting Jesus 679 00:33:18,140 –> 00:33:19,400 an act of faith 680 00:33:19,400 –> 00:33:20,719 in which you 681 00:33:20,719 –> 00:33:25,280 confess your sins to him 682 00:33:25,280 –> 00:33:27,500 And I am asking you this question today 683 00:33:27,579 –> 00:33:30,180 Have you done that? 684 00:33:30,280 –> 00:33:32,479 Christ, the perfect High Priest 685 00:33:32,479 –> 00:33:33,760 has appeared 686 00:33:33,760 –> 00:33:34,939 Atonement has been 687 00:33:34,939 –> 00:33:36,680 accomplished 688 00:33:36,680 –> 00:33:37,479 in his death 689 00:33:37,479 –> 00:33:38,500 the question is 690 00:33:38,500 –> 00:33:39,880 has the Atonement 691 00:33:39,880 –> 00:33:41,040 that he achieved 692 00:33:41,040 –> 00:33:42,560 been applied 693 00:33:42,560 –> 00:33:44,140 to your sins in particular 694 00:33:44,140 –> 00:33:45,400 and here’s how that happens 695 00:33:45,400 –> 00:33:47,300 You lay hold of Jesus Christ 696 00:33:47,300 –> 00:33:48,579 believing in him 697 00:33:48,579 –> 00:33:49,959 by faith you confess 698 00:33:49,959 –> 00:33:52,880 to him 699 00:33:52,880 –> 00:33:54,079 And that marvelous transfer 700 00:33:54,079 –> 00:33:54,920 takes place 701 00:33:54,920 –> 00:33:56,319 in which the guilt of your sin 702 00:33:56,319 –> 00:33:57,420 is no longer on you 703 00:33:57,420 –> 00:33:58,739 and it’s counted 704 00:33:58,739 –> 00:34:01,599 as being dealt with in 705 00:34:01,599 –> 00:34:02,760 what he accomplished 706 00:34:02,760 –> 00:34:03,780 in the Atonement 707 00:34:03,780 –> 00:34:07,219 there at the cross 708 00:34:07,219 –> 00:34:08,780 When faith lays it’s hand 709 00:34:08,780 –> 00:34:09,659 on Christ 710 00:34:09,659 –> 00:34:12,939 and confession is made 711 00:34:12,939 –> 00:34:14,600 guilt is transferred 712 00:34:14,600 –> 00:34:15,620 and you can know 713 00:34:15,620 –> 00:34:18,080 that your guilt 714 00:34:18,080 –> 00:34:20,320 and your sin 715 00:34:20,320 –> 00:34:21,120 was dealt with 716 00:34:21,120 –> 00:34:24,020 at the cross 717 00:34:24,020 –> 00:34:25,320 And then lastly 718 00:34:25,320 –> 00:34:26,199 what happens 719 00:34:26,199 –> 00:34:26,979 when your guilt 720 00:34:26,979 –> 00:34:28,479 really is taken 721 00:34:28,560 –> 00:34:29,439 it’s removed 722 00:34:29,439 –> 00:34:30,919 it’s transferred 723 00:34:30,919 –> 00:34:31,719 through faith 724 00:34:31,719 –> 00:34:33,040 in the Lord Jesus Christ 725 00:34:33,040 –> 00:34:34,320 who made atonement 726 00:34:34,320 –> 00:34:34,959 for you 727 00:34:34,959 –> 00:34:36,840 well the answer is 728 00:34:36,840 –> 00:34:39,620 our sins really are removed 729 00:34:39,620 –> 00:34:40,719 and that’s where I want you to get 730 00:34:40,719 –> 00:34:41,780 the glorious picture 731 00:34:41,780 –> 00:34:45,080 of Acts 5 732 00:34:45,080 –> 00:34:46,000 And if you know this verse 733 00:34:46,000 –> 00:34:47,419 from Psalm 103 734 00:34:47,419 –> 00:34:49,000 as far as the East 735 00:34:49,000 –> 00:34:50,560 is from the West 736 00:34:50,560 –> 00:34:53,439 so far has he 737 00:34:53,439 –> 00:34:55,860 removed our transgressions 738 00:34:55,860 –> 00:34:57,699 from us 739 00:34:59,439 –> 00:35:00,639 Imagine a person 740 00:35:00,639 –> 00:35:03,139 who is troubled 741 00:35:03,139 –> 00:35:06,719 by something that she has done 742 00:35:06,719 –> 00:35:09,139 it’s on her conscience 743 00:35:09,139 –> 00:35:12,439 she can’t get it out of her mind 744 00:35:12,439 –> 00:35:13,580 she wonders can God ever 745 00:35:13,580 –> 00:35:17,000 really forgive me 746 00:35:17,000 –> 00:35:18,280 I’m going to call her Sarah 747 00:35:18,280 –> 00:35:18,879 but you can put 748 00:35:18,879 –> 00:35:21,879 your own name in there 749 00:35:21,879 –> 00:35:23,800 imagine Sarah is in the crowd 750 00:35:23,800 –> 00:35:25,120 and she is 751 00:35:25,120 –> 00:35:26,520 watching the great drama 752 00:35:26,520 –> 00:35:27,899 of the day of Atonement 753 00:35:27,939 –> 00:35:28,919 and the next day she’s 754 00:35:28,919 –> 00:35:30,120 still struggling 755 00:35:30,120 –> 00:35:31,260 with her troubled conscience 756 00:35:31,260 –> 00:35:32,080 she has regrets 757 00:35:32,080 –> 00:35:33,100 over what she did 758 00:35:33,100 –> 00:35:34,100 and she just can’t seem 759 00:35:34,100 –> 00:35:36,620 to get beyond it 760 00:35:36,620 –> 00:35:37,419 and a friend comes 761 00:35:37,419 –> 00:35:40,500 and talks with her 762 00:35:40,500 –> 00:35:42,060 Sarah 763 00:35:42,060 –> 00:35:45,899 think about what you saw yesterday 764 00:35:45,899 –> 00:35:46,879 what happened when 765 00:35:46,879 –> 00:35:48,800 the high priest 766 00:35:48,800 –> 00:35:51,919 grabbed that goat by the head 767 00:35:51,919 –> 00:35:52,820 well, says Sarah 768 00:35:52,820 –> 00:35:56,459 he confessed our sins 769 00:35:56,459 –> 00:35:57,320 and did he confess 770 00:35:57,719 –> 00:35:59,120 your sin? 771 00:35:59,120 –> 00:35:59,699 oh yes 772 00:35:59,699 –> 00:36:01,399 he spoke my sin 773 00:36:01,399 –> 00:36:02,679 and I felt so ashamed 774 00:36:02,679 –> 00:36:05,080 when he did 775 00:36:05,080 –> 00:36:05,979 so, Sarah 776 00:36:05,979 –> 00:36:07,760 what happened then 777 00:36:07,760 –> 00:36:09,439 to your sin 778 00:36:09,439 –> 00:36:10,340 and to all the other sins 779 00:36:10,340 –> 00:36:13,719 that the high priest confessed 780 00:36:13,719 –> 00:36:15,100 well, they were laid 781 00:36:15,100 –> 00:36:16,719 on the goats head 782 00:36:16,719 –> 00:36:18,600 and what happened 783 00:36:18,600 –> 00:36:20,540 to the goat, Sarah? 784 00:36:20,540 –> 00:36:23,239 well, it was taken away 785 00:36:23,239 –> 00:36:24,280 we all followed it 786 00:36:24,280 –> 00:36:24,600 through the camp 787 00:36:24,600 –> 00:36:27,020 right to the very edge 788 00:36:27,060 –> 00:36:30,379 how far was it taken away, Sarah? 789 00:36:30,379 –> 00:36:31,899 I have no idea 790 00:36:31,899 –> 00:36:32,540 but it was further 791 00:36:32,540 –> 00:36:36,179 than I could even see 792 00:36:36,179 –> 00:36:39,139 can you see 793 00:36:39,139 –> 00:36:40,080 that your sins 794 00:36:40,080 –> 00:36:41,879 are laid on Jesus 795 00:36:41,879 –> 00:36:42,780 as you lay hold of 796 00:36:42,780 –> 00:36:46,260 him in faith? 797 00:36:46,260 –> 00:36:48,699 can you see 798 00:36:48,699 –> 00:36:50,560 that Jesus takes 799 00:36:50,560 –> 00:36:52,419 the sin that troubles you most 800 00:36:52,419 –> 00:36:55,939 so far away from you 801 00:36:56,080 –> 00:36:56,800 that it is no longer 802 00:36:56,800 –> 00:36:59,860 even in view? 803 00:36:59,860 –> 00:37:01,100 can you believe today 804 00:37:01,100 –> 00:37:02,679 that through the finished work 805 00:37:02,679 –> 00:37:04,899 of the Lord Jesus Christ 806 00:37:04,899 –> 00:37:06,439 your sin really 807 00:37:06,439 –> 00:37:07,639 is forgiven 808 00:37:07,639 –> 00:37:10,899 it’s not on you 809 00:37:10,899 –> 00:37:11,419 and your guilt 810 00:37:11,419 –> 00:37:14,560 has been removed 811 00:37:14,560 –> 00:37:15,780 God laid your sin 812 00:37:15,780 –> 00:37:16,760 on Jesus 813 00:37:16,760 –> 00:37:20,939 and he took it away 814 00:37:20,939 –> 00:37:21,739 and when you believe 815 00:37:21,739 –> 00:37:22,780 and when you confess 816 00:37:22,780 –> 00:37:23,919 God wants you to know 817 00:37:24,179 –> 00:37:26,340 that through the atoning work 818 00:37:26,340 –> 00:37:30,219 of Jesus Christ 819 00:37:30,219 –> 00:37:31,179 your sin really 820 00:37:31,179 –> 00:37:34,580 is forgiven 821 00:37:34,580 –> 00:37:35,340 and your guilt 822 00:37:35,340 –> 00:37:39,879 really is removed 823 00:37:39,879 –> 00:37:41,979 Father 824 00:37:41,979 –> 00:37:43,219 that’s so clear 825 00:37:43,219 –> 00:37:45,540 in your word 826 00:37:45,540 –> 00:37:47,840 we ask for your help 827 00:37:47,840 –> 00:37:49,219 to believe it 828 00:37:49,219 –> 00:37:52,879 and therefore to find peace 829 00:37:52,879 –> 00:37:53,699 and to find strength 830 00:37:53,919 –> 00:37:54,899 and to find hope 831 00:37:54,899 –> 00:37:58,120 and to find newness of life 832 00:37:58,120 –> 00:37:59,580 in Jesus Christ 833 00:37:59,580 –> 00:38:00,239 who loved us 834 00:38:00,239 –> 00:38:01,659 and gave himself for us 835 00:38:01,659 –> 00:38:03,780 we thank you 836 00:38:03,780 –> 00:38:06,360 that he made atonement 837 00:38:07,360 –> 00:38:08,739 and that the atonement 838 00:38:08,739 –> 00:38:10,939 that he made 839 00:38:10,939 –> 00:38:13,439 is really for us 840 00:38:13,439 –> 00:38:14,080 hear our prayers 841 00:38:14,080 –> 00:38:15,320 as we lift our hearts 842 00:38:15,320 –> 00:38:16,439 to you in thanksgiving 843 00:38:16,439 –> 00:38:18,699 and now come near 844 00:38:18,699 –> 00:38:20,439 around your table 845 00:38:20,439 –> 00:38:22,979 through Jesus Christ our Lord 846 00:38:22,979 –> 00:38:25,219 Amen

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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The whole Bible is one story. It begins in a garden, ends in a city, and all the way through points us to Jesus Christ. 10 Keys for Unlocking the Bible gives you the big picture of the Bible story in audio in ten messages by Pastor Colin Smith.

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