Purity, Part 2 - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study.

Intro: (1) outward symbols — ordinances (2) seats/candles at advent/lent (3) thesis statement in 15:31
 
Categories

1. Childbirth (ch.12): (1) v.1-5 — lengths of time of uncleanness for boy vs. girl (2) two likely reasons — sin’s effect on childbirth, presence of blood (3) time away — maternity leave) (4) v.6-9 — process of purification — burnt offering and sin (purification) offering (5) mom appreciation
2. Skin disease (13:1-46, 14:1-32): (1) v.1-2 — “leprosy” refers to wide range of skin diseases (2) v.3-46 — priests served as “doctors” (3) v.45-46 — description of existence (4) three phases — outside (14:1-3), inside (v.8-9), tent (v.10-11) (5) burnt, purification, grain offerings (6) mom appreciation
3. Mold/mildew (13:47-59, 14:33-57): (1) v.47-49 — applied to clothes (2) persistent blemish would result in burning (cf. v.52) (3) v.33-35 — applied to houses (4) inspection process — rebuilding or eventual destruction (5) same offerings of restoration (6) God in the details — clothes, houses
4. Bodily discharges (ch.15): (1) emissions connected with sexual activity — men in v.1-18, women in v.19-30 (2) temptation connected to pagan worship — God’s design for sex is (3) sexual activity has been affected by the fall — temptation outside marriage, struggles inside marriage, same-sex   

 Lessons

1. Separation: (1) physical conditions remind us of our spiritual separation — aging bodies, clothes that wear out, houses that need repair (cf. Romans 8:19-23) (2) unbeliever — points to need for forgiveness (3) believer — there will always be an ache that accompanies this life (4) my time away
2. Salvation: (1) purification — example of Mary/Jesus (2) circumcision — sign of belonging (3) Christ now provides us the opportunity of belonging (cf. Gal. 4:4-5) (4) salvation as being clean and belonging (cf. Jesus and lepers) — me visiting other churches (5) eternal component
3. Devotion: (1) all of life is sacred and he desires to meet us in every nook and cranny (2) Brother Lawrence (3) the problem with spiritual highs and being “on fire for God” (4) learning to walk with the Lord through the normal/mundane things of life — “surrendering to the congregation”
4. Compassion: (1) God used purity laws as a way to provide people access to him — healing as a key part of Jesus’ earthly ministry (cf. Mt. 8:17) (2) woman with issue of blood (2) ministering to those in need — sick, addicted, depressed, lonely (3) importance of shepherding group

Conclusion: 2 Cor. 4:16-17 --> Rev. 21:3-4