January 24, 2021

HOLY GOD, HOLY PEOPLE
January 24, 2021
Matt Willmington

When someone mentions “neighbors,” what comes to your mind? Do you think in parameters other than locality (perhaps work, etc.)?

Open: 

This past week we read through the book of Leviticus in our reading plan for the first six months of 2021. This book seems filled with rules and regulations that pertain only to the Israelites, until we go beneath the obvious and seek the hidden jewels of God’s concern that we be a holy people. Today we will look at the many people groups He wanted Israel to care about, as He spoke to them from Mt. Sinai. He desired them to become a holy nation, and wanted holiness in the camp at the foot of the mountain. We, as Christians of the twenty-first century, need to learn what we must do in order to be holy, as He is holy.

Focal Passage: Leviticus 19.

Respect

    • Read Leviticus 19:3-4. Why should a child be taught to respect their first authority figures? What is the connection between having respect for the parents and God’s law to keep the Sabbath?
    • Israel had to deal with pagan idols of wood, stone, etc. What are some of our idols? What dangers do they hold?

Sacrifice

    • Read 19:5-8. Israel did not remain faithful in striving for holiness. Read Malachi 1:7-8. What were some of the charges God brought against them? What had they done?
    • What are some of the ways believers nowadays sacrifice to the Lord? How is it possible to ‘profane’ those ways?

Generosity

    • Read 19:9-10. Will someone please explain the concept of Old Testament gleaning? Who was allowed to glean?
    • Read Ruth 2:5. How does this verse seem to indicate landowners paid attention to those who came to his field to glean?
    • Read Deut. 15:11. God was (and is) very concerned for the poor. Who are some of those you consider poor, and are willing to help? Who are some you are not willing to help? Why? Is this Biblical?
    • Who is the second group God was concerned for in these verses? What is the work ethic that the original text indicated?

Honesty

    • Read Lev. 19:11-12. Why is honesty important to God? What is the opposite of being honest?
    • Read John 8:44. Who is the father of lies?
    • The phrases in our passage all have a common theme: what is it?

Justice

    • Read verses 13-16. God has many “do not’s,” in these verses; can you use one verb that would remedy all of these?
    • Several of these commands are concerned with how you treat your neighbor. Who did Jesus say your neighbor is? 
    • Can anyone share which one listed in these verses is the hardest for you to do?
    • Read verse 16b in KJV; what does it tell us? Would you be willing to act on a neighbor’s behalf? Does anyone have an example?

Love

    • Read verses 17-18. God has many characteristics. What is the first one you think of?
    • Look back through the verses 1-18; who all does God want us to care for? Do you have a particular problem with any of them (don’t answer aloud)? If so, pray that God will help you conquer the fear.

Close:

Did you have a hard time reading through Leviticus this week? You can be honest, as there’s only you and God knowing the truth! You probably were thinking that Leviticus isn’t the most enjoyable book in the Old Testament—but did you gain new insight from this sermon?

It’s amazing how week after week, after hearing a sermon, we are reminded of the truth of Hebrews 4:12 where the author writes, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

May His word birth in you a holiness that will be obvious as you seek to “be holy, as He is holy.”

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