Monday, February 6, 2017

E.G.O. ---- Edging God Out --- what happened to our Sabbath – and the 7 Feasts of the LORD? --- Week 1 - The Sabbath

E.G.O.  ----  Edging God Out   
--- what happened to our Sabbath – and the 7 Feasts of
the LORD?
This 8 Week Bible Study was facilitated by †Ken at Fort Mitchell Baptist Church (KY) on 2/5/17 (8 week series from 2/5/17 – 3/26/17)
As we open, let us go before the LORD in prayer and seek His guidance and teaching…. So that He may empower us with Holy Spirit Power to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to our families, our communities, and to the nations.   
Opening Prayer ( ♥ Group is welcome to pray  - †Ken opens, anyone who wants can join in, Shane closes.♥ )

outline – RED SCRIPTURES ARE TO BE READ OUT LOUD
·         I am piggy-backing off Chris Hamilton’s sermon last week where he presented the acronym “E.G.O.  ----  Edging God Out”
  • Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16
    • – Chris also referenced this in his sermon last week.
    • Let’s dig into the Old Testament to see where it was written…
      • Leviticus 11:44 - For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.
      • Leviticus 19:2 - “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
      • Leviticus 20:7 - Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.

·         Why is Leviticus so important? – 1st Reason
o    The book of Leviticus was the first book studied by a Jewish child; yet is often among the last books of the Bible to be studied by a Christian. Today’s readers are often put off by the book’s lists of laws regarding diet, sacrifice, and social behavior. But within these highly detailed directives we discover the holiness—the separateness, distinction, and utter “otherness”—of God. And we learn how sin devastates humanity’s relationship with their Creator.
o    The word Leviticus directly relates to the Levites, the tribe that was set aside by the LORD to be His priests and worship leaders.  Although that tribe isn't emphasized throughout the book of Leviticus, it is still appropriate for genuine Christians today. 
o    Let's take a litmus test to see if we are priests --- do these passages describe us as individual authentic Christians?  (Question 1)
§  1st Peter 1:1-2  From Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ--- To God's chosen people who live as refugees scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  You were chosen according to the purpose of God the Father and were made a holy people by his Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by his blood. May grace and peace be yours…
§  1st Peter 2:9 - You are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.
·         Why is Leviticus so important? – 2nd Reason
o    Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, kept these biblical feasts as part of His worship, and used them to teach about the Father. 
o    All of these feasts show Christ’s central role in the process of salvation.
o    And today, as Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, He is still the main agent of God’s plan for salvation for mankind.
o    Despite the thought process “those are Jewish feasts” – the reality is that these feasts really belong to the LORD.
o    They also belong to Christians who desire to follow Jesus’ example, and they have everything to do with Christ and His Church today.
o    The Book of Leviticus is a message of sanctification.  Leviticus communicates God’s forgiveness and acceptance which is followed by Holy Living and Spiritual Growth.
·         Why is sanctification so important? – The purpose of this study.
o    To summarize, “sanctification” is a translation of the Greek word hagiasmos, meaning “holiness” or “a separation.”  In Christianity, we have three basic phases of sanctification. 
§  Positional Sanctification --- In the past, when we first accepted Jesus as our Savior, God granted us justification, a once-for-all, positional holiness in Christ.  We are set free from the penalty of sin because of the Messiah's sacrifice is meant to redeem us.
§  Progressive Sanctification --- In the present, as we seek to follow Jesus authentically, in effect of obedience to the Word of God, God guides us to maturity and reveals how to be overcomers.  Also, if we reflect on John 17:18-19, this is the process of setting apart believers for the purpose for which they were sent into the world.
§  Complete Sanctification --- In the future, God will give us glorification, a permanent, ultimate holiness. At the second coming of Christ, we shall be like Him.  1 John 3:2 and Colossians 3:4
o    These three phases of sanctification separate the believer from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (maturity), and the presence of sin (glorification). At which phase do we find ourselves? (Question 2)
·         Why is Leviticus so important? – 3rd Reason
o    God established the sacrificial system so that His covenant people would enjoy fellowship through worship.  But that fellowship with a Holy God requires repentance and renewal.   (Question 3)
§  When an Israelite worshiper laid his hand on the animal victim, he identified himself with the animal as his substitute . . . this accomplished a symbolic transfer of his sin and a legal transfer of his guilt to the animal victim. God then accepted the slaughter of the animal . . . as a ransom payment for the particular sin which occasioned it.   (F. Duane Lindsey, "Leviticus," 166.)
o    Studying the Feasts in Leviticus 23 will allow us to see the extent of Jesus’ legal acceptance of our sin, and bring better understanding of how God accepted the slaughter of His only begotten Son for your ransom.
·         Leviticus 23:1-3 --- Observing Sabbath
o    This study is in Leviticus 23, but we will step back and look in
Leviticus 22:31-33
o    Lev 22:31  The LORD said, "Obey my commands; I am the LORD.
o    Lev 22:32  Do not bring disgrace on my holy name; all the people of Israel must acknowledge me to be holy. I am the LORD and I make you holy;
o    Lev 22:33  and I brought you out of Egypt to become your God. I am the LORD."
·         Now let’s look at Leviticus 23:1-3 --- Observing Sabbath
o    Where else do we find the Commandment of observing Sabbath?
      • 10 Commandments /// Exodus 20:1-18 and Deuteronomy 5:1-22
      • First place ever mentioned is Exodus 16:23-30
      • Why do we observe these commandments?  Deuteronomy 6:20-25
      • (Question 4) and (HOMEWORK Question 5)
Crystal B closes with prayer.

----------------------=================================-----------------------------
E.G.O.  ----  Edging God Out   
--- what happened to our Sabbath – and the 7 Feasts of
the LORD ?
A Study on Leviticus 23  -  Week 1 – 2/5/17
Question 1 --- Do we pass the litmus test of priesthood?  Do we obey Jesus Christ?  Are we purified by His blood?   Do we proclaim the wonderful acts of God? 1st Peter 1:1-2  & 1st Peter 2:9



Question 2 --- At what phase of sanctification do we see ourselves?  Have we been Born Again and justified with God?  If so, are we overcoming the power of sin and walking in maturity?



Question 3 --- When an Israelite worshiper laid his hand on the animal victim, he identified himself with the animal as his substitute . . . this accomplished a symbolic transfer of his sin and a legal transfer of his guilt to the animal victim. God then accepted the slaughter of the animal . . . as a ransom payment for the particular sin which occasioned it.   (F. Duane Lindsey, "Leviticus," 166.)
Do you fully understand the ransom that was paid for you?



Question 4 --- Are you and your household observing Sabbath – a true Sabbath? Exodus 16:23-30



HOMEWORK Question 5 --- What does the word Sabbath mean?  Leviticus 23:1-3 Could you use one?  Hint (look up the Hebrew definition).
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Facilitated by †Ken Neuhaus at Fort Mitchell Baptist Church (KY)  2/5/17 – 3/26/17

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