Saturday, January 15, 2011

Preview Of Tonight's Message




Scripture: Leviticus Chapter One 

We are given a detailed account of how God was to be approached in the Old Testament.
A.) Bring an offering to be sacrificed -  Ox, Lamb, Pigeon
       1.) Everyone can participate. Even the poorest of the poor is given a way to sacrifice.
       2.) There is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. (Hebrews 9:22)
       3.) The person who brings the offering (Ox / Lamb) must lay their hands on the head of the offering while it is being killed.  The laying on of hands represents the transference of sin from the individual to the offering.
       4.) The laying on of hands also makes the participating aware of the price that is paid as they feel the life blood going out of the sacrifice.

B.) The inner parts of the offering are to be washed with water.

C.) The priests takes the offering and cuts it open and then into pieces, arranging it on the altar in specific fashion.

D.) The priests is to bring it all and burn it on the altar. An offering made by fire---an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

What does this have to do with people in recovery?
We declare each week at our meeting that our group consciousness as to our higher power is found in Jesus Christ.
Just as there was one way to enter the Tabernacle, there is only one way to enter into fellowship with God and that is through Jesus.
The first thing that had to be dealt with at the Tabernacle was the "sin" question. This was done by the individual bringing a sacrifice to be totally consumed with Fire.

Since Jesus is the "one-time" sacrifice for our sins, we bring ourselves ---we give ourselves as a "living" sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Which is our acceptable worship in the sight of God. We admit as people who were addicted, that our old nature seeks a softer, easier way to approach God. There is only one way...Jesus.

As Romans 12:1 states, "We are to be a living sacrifice" that means that our daily lives are evidence of the sacrifice paid on our behalf. We reflect the nature and goodness of God to those around us daily.

The priest taking the offering and cutting it open and revealing the inside is symbolic of our need to "rigorously" honest. To be laid bare with nothing to hide. Secrets are the death of an addict. To be free, open and honest is the path to life as we follow Jesus.
To be open and transparent in all our affairs.
To be free from secrets that would ensnare us in the devil's traps.
We become living sacrifices as we work down through the 12 steps, trading our will and our life to God in exchange for a new way of living.

Check in next week for the audio message.
God on you....
mb

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