Includes: Manuscript, pre-taught lesson, free downloadable PowerPoint, and devotional
To download the PowerPoint Click here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/aisjqyns2n8twmqevv0ix/Holy-Living.pptx?rlkey=asjebdl2y220diafognluzfjf&st=yooiiuti&dl=0
Review: Last week we looked at how God instituted the sacrificial system to provide atonement of sins, how the priestly role served God and the people in the provision of atonement, and how Jesus made the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice to atone for sins on the cross.
Title: Holy Living
Text: Leviticus 26:1-13
Memory Verse: Leviticus 26:12
Theme: God blesses His people when they pursue holiness.
Introduction: In this week’s lesson-as we wrap up Leviticus—we see that the relationship with God and His people was for their blessing and the parameters and guidelines for maintaining of that fellowship-filled relationship depended on their keeping of the law and living holy. Ultimately, they would look forward to the day when a covenant of works would no longer be in place and Jesus would open the way for the covenant of grace, under which we are empowered to live holy lives through the indwelling Holy Spirit as God transforms our desires from the heart.
Opening Discussion Question (s): Road signs weren’t always standardized which could get confusing if you drove from state to state. Now they’re standardized. What is the primary purpose of traffic signs? What signs can cause you the most difficulty if you ignore or disobey them?
Context:
The law/”torah”, meaning “instructions” detailed actions that flowed out of gratitude.
I John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Leviticus provides theological foundation for practical application, reminding us truth leads to worship in our living and decisions. Close to seventy times in Leviticus obedience is acknowledgement of God being in charge in control, “the Lord.” He gets to call the shots. Holiness is being willingly set apart by God for God. Our lives should reflect God’s holy character, as well.
Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The prior law instructions lead God’s people to this exhortation to live holy.
Main Points:
- Faithfulness (Leviticus 26:1-2)
“You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God. 2 You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.”
- Four words are used to describe the forbidden forms of idolatry: ‘elil, meaning worthless; pesel, meaning carved image; matsebah, meaning sacred pillar, and maskith eben, sculpted stone.
- The statement “I am the Lord your God,” shows He is overall and completely in charge and in control.
- The Sabbath—celebrating the order of Creation and a sign of covenant commitment—was to be kept.
- They were to revere and respect God’s holy place.
Doctrine: God
Lifeway says, “To God we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience” (p. 144).
Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Discussion: “Before laying out the blessings and possible discipline that God had for His people (vv. 3-46), He first focused His people’s attention on worship. Why? How does the way we worship God affect other areas of our relationship with Him?” (p. 145)
II. Blessings (Leviticus 26:3-8)
““If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, 4 then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. 6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land. 7 You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.”
- Israel was to put God’s instructions into practice, not just gain head knowledge.
- There were material and non-material benefits of walking in God’s instructions, walking in holiness. Can you pick them out?
- God would provide “shalom,” wholistic peace through holy living.
- The enemies falling before them in battle was available if they walked holy before the Lord so that He could secure the victory, regardless of their numbers and size. If you ever feel outnumbered or lacking, know that you have all you need to take the next Spirit filled step of obedience, and God is providentially providing for you and He is fighting your battles.
Discussion: How do we ensure that we are worshiping God for who he is instead of just seeking His blessings?” (p. 147)
III. Fellowship (Leviticus 26:9-13)
“I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you. 10 You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new. 11 I will make my dwelling[a] among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.”
- God would discipline them when they strayed and they could repent and return.
- There would be human flourishing throughout their generations, even.
- The presence of God among them-tabernacling among them—was promised.
Gospel: The peace was also messianic ultimately secured in Christ, restoring us to a right relationship with Him, helping us move out of our brokenness to live out His purpose for our lives, as He gives us grace upon grace.”
- John 1:16, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
- Romans 5:17, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”
Discussion: “What role does God’s presence play in experiencing His blessing?” (p. 149)
Devotional: “Leviticus 26 & Holiness in Christ”
In Leviticus 26 God outlines the curses and blessings dependent on Israel’s actions of whether they would live holy lives for God’s glory or indulge in sin. God instituted His requirements for holy living as a good Father does. He wanted to protect his people. He wanted to preserve His people. He wanted peace for His people.
God protects His people. God sees what you and I can’t see, the future. He knows every aspect of what lies ahead for us. He knows that destructive actions will incur more brokenness, the natural consequences of sin. He knows that right decision making that glorifies God and accomplishes man’s good will result in human flourishing and people will be brought into the family of God. The way we love other brothers and sisters in Christ is a direct instrument of God to see lost people reached and welcomed into the family of God. What we do is so important. Walking in accord with God’s word through His Spirit has a direct correlation with His divine protection.
God wants to also preserve His people. You know, we often live our lives focused on the here and now without stepping back and seeing the long term impacts of our decisions. My decisions impact others I work with, my family, my church family, my community, and so on. Our decisions will have a ripple effect in the legacy we leave. Making decisions that reflect the holy nature and character of God leave a lasting legacy that glorifies God. That is what we should be aiming for.
God wants peace for His people. The word for peace is “shalom” and means a wholistic peace that encompasses every aspect of our being and lives. Wholesome decision making—dependent on the Holy Spirit and reliant on God’s Word, and wise council—produces wholeness. That is a precious gift available to us from God.
God knows we cannot do this the way we should because of our sin nature, and that’s why He sent Jesus. Jesus was the holy Godman who lived-out holiness right before our eyes recorded in Scripture. Thus, He was the perfect, holy, sufficient, and obedient sacrifice for sins in our place. We, the marred and unholy, by grace are positionally made holy through salvation that we might grow in Christlikeness and live lives that increase in holy, worshipful gratitude to God.
How to Pray:
- Thank You for Your protection, preservation, and peace.
- Help me to see each moment as an opportunity to express my gratitude for the gift of your Son in my holy decision-making.
- Make me more like Jesus.
Caleb Walker 
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