Who I am in Christ: Temple Sermon Notes

Leviticus 16: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The tabernacle was the center of Israel’s relationship with God.

The tabernacle had three parts: the outer court, the Holy Place, then the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was where the ark of the covenant was placed.

The Holy of Holies was where God’s presence was manifested. This is different from God’s omnipresence, meaning that He is present everywhere.

Exodus 40:34-38; see also 1 Kings 8:10-11

The Holy of Holies was only entered once a year on the Day of Atonement and not just by any member of the priesthood, but only by the High Priest.

Leviticus 16:1-5

List the things the High Priest had to do in order to enter the Holy of Holies:

Take-aways from Leviticus 16

God’s presence is no small thing

God’s presence can only be accessed through atonement

Access to God’s presence was limited

Our identity as the temple/dwelling place of God in Christ

(see also 1Corinthians 6:12-20, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 9-10, 1 Peter 2:4-5)

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 We are the dwelling place of the living God, that is no small thing

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 God’s presence dwells in us made possible through Christ’s atonement

Hebrews 10:19-22 Access to God’s presence is unlimited

Application

Remember who you are

The sin in our hearts and the Enemy are going to whisper lies

Lie #1: You are unlovable

Beloved

Lie #2: You are outside His loving care and attention

Child

Lie #3: I am no one special and am not part of anything special

Citizen

Lie #4: I must wait for the pastor to minister to others

Ambassador

Lie #5: God wouldn’t want to spend time with me, I am a failure at following Jesus

Temple

Cleansing ourselves: Confession