I am looking forward to our new series in Leviticus. Now, “looking forward” you might think is a little of an overstatement.

 

In mentioning this to a person from another church, their response was, Boring! In fact there was passion behind his statement, it was more like, BOOORIING!

 

He was wondering if we really wanted to grow God’s Kingdom. Leviticus is filled with strange laws that a ghastly and cringe worthy to our modern sensitivities. Who would want to come and hear a sermon series on Leviticus?

 

Well in answering that, ‘I do, and I believe you will too’.

 

Let me tell you why it’s important we preach through Leviticus.

1. Firstly because it is in the bible. We believe: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2Ti 3:16-17 NIV)

 

We want to preach all of scripture, not just the easy bits or the bits that we like. Preaching the whole bible forces us to think hard, about what God has to say to us.

 

2. But secondly, Leviticus is a good part of the bible to preach. It has some important things for us to hear and dwell on.

 

Leviticus helps us understand the dilemma of God being Holy, and us unholy. The reality where that which is holy cannot be in contact with that which is unholy – or unclean.

 

Leviticus speaks of God’s grace. It is here God first officially set up the idea of a substitute for you, taking the penalty that was yours. And this was so that we can approach God.

 

It therefore helps us understand God’s love for us and his determination to see us come to him.

 

Leviticus brings colour and depth to the work of Christ. It brings depth to our worship him of him now. Leviticus is fundamental in understanding how we might build God’s church and what our worship of God might look like.

 

I pray Leviticus will refresh us all in the work of Christ on the cross as we approach Easter.