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