A Leviticus Life, Part 2: Holy Vows - SERMON NOTES

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

Intro: (1) comes full circle by returning to voluntary offerings (2) holiness via commitment

Vowing our lives (1-8): (1) these verses address individuals who could be dedicated to the Lord for special service (2) payment could be made in the place of one’s service, based on valuation of different genders and ages (3) examples  Samuel in 1 Samuel 1, Nazirite vow in Numbers 6 (4) provision made in v.8 for those who could not afford these rates (5) what is most important is a genuine recognition of belonging to God  foundational step in becoming/living as a disciple (cf. Romans 12:1) (5) Eileen in “The Retreat”

Vowing our stuff (9-25): (1) animals  could not renege by subbing (cf. giving our junk) (2) houses/land  more complicated due to larger gift, interest (3) does type/amount of stuff that we have reflect well upon the Lord? (5) what things do you have a tendency to spend too much on and/or have too much of? (6) examples  car, house, clothes, hobbies, technological gadgets, furniture, vacations (7) how do/can you use your things in the service of the Lord? (cf. host homes) (8) be careful of legalism (9) benevolence

Vowing with integrity (26-34): (1) vows intended to be a picture of one’s heart before the Lord (cf. Psalm 61:8)  to dismiss them later is to be dismissive toward the Lord (cf. marriage) (2) firstborn  already dedicated, can’t be rededicated (cf. back property giving) (3) “devoted” things  Achan in Joshua 6 (4) tithe of animals or harvest  mandatory giving (no such prescription today) (5) walk through church covenant  which of these do you need to evaluate?

Vowing now vs. then: (1) Jesus teaches not to make vows rather than over-commit in the sermon on the mount (cf. Peter’s denial, Ananias and Sapphira) (2) to make a vow to God or someone else is to commit is to exhibit extreme generosity  generosity is birthed from gratitude for something we have received (cf. 2 Cor. 8:9, 1 Cor. 4:7) (3) we don’t commit to God to get him to commit to us, we commit to him as a response when we realize his commitment to us in Christ

Conclusion: baskets on “chopped”