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Call to worship: PEACE

Text: Leviticus 10:1-11

Summary:

Our greatest problem is sin. Violating the holiness of God has dire consequences. But we often entertain sin anyway in hopes that God will let us have our cake and eat it too. But His glory condemns sin, and His holiness consumes it: either in the form of an acceptable sacrifice as He has ordained, or ourselves when we refuse His authorized means of atonement. Thus, we need a truly righteous priest who will distinguish for us the holy from the common and teach us all that God has commanded so that we can have atonement for sins.

Main idea(s):

God reveals His holiness against sinners who disobey His Word in an effort to make atonement for their sin on their own terms, but in light of Advent, we also see that he reveals his holiness in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God’s glory and holiness.

Sermon Outline:

1. The Advent of God’s Glory and a Priestly Blunder
2. The Advent of God’s Glory and Priestly Obedience
3. The Advent of God’s Glory and a Priestly Commission

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Leviticus 10:1-11.
2. What was your first impression or thought as you read this text? As newly consecrated priests, were their actions toward God to be any different than that of the rest of the people? What according to verse 1 was the real issue at stake? How does 10:2 compare to 9:24? What is meant by Moses quote from God in verse 3? In light of 10:1-3, how many ways are their to come to God? Who dictates what the way(s) are?
3. Why would Moses not allow Nadab and Abihu's father and brothers to mourn their death? Was Moses being overly harsh? Moses said that if Aaron and his surviving sons mourned, then wrath would come upon all the people. What significance would their mourning have that would cause God to pour out wrath on the whole congregation? Why were the people allowed to mourn, but not Aaron and his surviving sons?
4. What commands does God give to Aaron and his sons in verses 8-11? What is the significance of the 3 areas of emphasis that he gives in vv10-11? As "royal priests" (1 Peter 2:9), how do these play out for us today?
5. In light of Advent Season, what of 10:1-11 points us to the Messiah? How do we see our need for a greater high priest?