SERMON OUTLINE:
WASHING: sinful people need cleansing (vs 6)
CLOTHING: inadequate people need equipping (vs 7-9)
ANOINTING: ordinary people need consecrating (vs 10-12&23-24)
SACRIFICING: pardoned people need fellowship (vs 14-30)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• You all know Britain’s longest-reigning monarch - Queen Elizabeth II.
• On 9 September 2015 she became the longest-reigning monarch in British history,
• When she surpassed the reign of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
• (Reigning for 70 years and 214 days)
• Question: Do you know who had the shortest reign in British history?
• Clue: If it helps it was a lady and she reigned for just 9 days.
• Answer: Lady Jane Grey (also called Lady Jane Dudley).
• She was the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII)
• She claimed the throne of England and Ireland from 10 July until 19 July 1553.
• Sadly, at the age of 15 reluctantly against her wishes,
• Unscrupulous politicians placed her on the throne,
• And Queen Mary (aka “Bloody Mary”) signed her cousin Jane’s death warrant.
• She was imprisoned and on February 7th, 1554,
• Mary signed the death warrant that would lead Jane to the scaffold just five days later.
• She had a strong Christian faith,
• And on the inside of her Greek New Testament,
• She wrote to her younger sister, Katharine,
“This is the book, dear sister, of the Law of the Lord. It is his testament and last will, which he bequeathed unto us wretches, which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy. . . . And as touching my death, rejoice as I do, good sister, that I shall be delivered of this corruption, and put on incorruption. For I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortal life, win an immortal life.”
• If you want to know the full story,
• Let me suggest the book, ‘Nine Day Queen of England: Lady Jane Grey’ by Faith Cook.
• TRANSITION: King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday 6 May 2023.
• It will be a ‘glorious’ spectacle of pomp and pageantry.
• During a service which has remained relatively unchanged for more than 1000 years.
• Charles will be seated in the Coronation Chair – known as Edward’s Chair,
• He will hold the sovereign’s sceptre and rod, to represent control of the nation,
• And also, the sovereign’s orb, to represent the Christian world.
• Charles will then be anointed, blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop,
• This is thought to be most sacred part of any coronation!
• And after this the crown of St Edward will be placed on Charles’s head.
• It all finds its roots in the Bible.
• Three groups of people were anointed in the Bible.
• Prophets, Priests and of course Kings!
• These people were ‘marked out’ from everyone else,
• And this was done by pouring oil onto their heads.
• Int Old Testament and the Old Covenant,
• Priests were chosen from the Levitical tribe (Aaron and his sons),
• And they were separate from the rest of Israel.
• (Exodus chapters 28-29 & Leviticus chapter 8,
• Describe the main priestly duties for the Levites to perform).
Note:
Question: Did you know that all Christians are called priests in the New Testament?
e.g., The apostle Peter said, (1 Peter chapter 2 verse 5).
"...You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
e.g., The apostle John wrote, (Revelation chapter 1 verses 5-6).
"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever."
The New Testament clearly teaches that...
• The death of Jesus ended the Old Testament priesthood,
• His sacrifice for sin replacing the endless animal sacrifices.
• His perfect life as the Son of God,
• Could do what animal sacrifices were unable to do – pay the price of sin!
Ill:
• If you put body spray or perfume on a sweaty person,
• It may cover up the smell up, but it does not remove the smell,
• The smell will remain!
• That is what Animal sacrifices did, they covered up a person’s sin for a short time.
• That is why they were constantly repeated.
• A sweaty person needs a shower or a bath, a cleansing.
• And that is how the Bible describes the sacrifice of Jesus.
• His perfect life (of greater value than an animal) made forgiveness possible.
• That is the gospel message - the good news,
• That forgiveness is offered freely to all who believe in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
• (John chapter 3 verses 16-17 & Romans chapter 3 verses 23–25 & chapter 10 verses 9-10).
The New Testament clearly teaches that all true Christians are priests.
• The sacrifices we offer are spiritual not physical.
• We serve him day by day as we live our lives according to his will.
• (Romans chapter 12 verses 1-3).
• We do not need an earthly priest to enter the presence of God,
• Because Jesus Christ is our one great High Priest, (Hebrew chapter 10 verses 19-22),
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Now as we study this passage,
• There is no need to literally copying these instructions,
• But by studying them we will learn about the character of God,
• We will be reminded of the freedom and liberty we have in Christ.
• And there are parallels, applications from these verses for us today.
This chapter shows to us an ordination service:
• Those being ordained are Aaron and his sons (Levites).
• And the ordination service unfolds into four phases.
• Note: without these four steps.
• Aaron and his sons (Levites) would be unprepared and unqualified.
• The four steps were literally true for Aaron and his sons (Levites).
• But they are just as important for us, but they are spiritual not physical steps.
(1). WASHING: sinful people need cleansing
(vs 6)
• N.I.V.: “Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.”
• GNB: “Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and had them take a ritual bath.”
Ill:
• A party of school children were being showed around a hospital.
• And the nurse who was giving them a tour round asked if anyone had any questions.
• One child asked,
• "How come the people who work here are always washing their hands?"
• The nurse gave the answer.
• "They are 'always washing their hands' for two reasons.
• First, they love health; and second, they hate germs".
• TRANSITION: God hates germs (sin) and loves health (holiness).
• N.I.V.: “Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.”
• GNB: “Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and had them take a ritual bath.”
In the Old Testament the job of a priest was to be a mediator,
• To stand in the presence of God on behalf of others.
• A priest was the opposite of a prophet.
• e.g., A prophet listened to God and then spoke to the people.
• e.g., A priest listened to the people and then spoke to God.
• e.g., A prophet heard from God and represented God to the people.
• e.g., A priest pay attention to the people and represented them before God.
Ill:
• When translated into English the Latin word ‘pontifex’ means, high priest.
• Means “bridge builder”,
• A priest is a bridge builder between people and God.
• TRANSITION: To be a bridge builder between people and God.
• You must be clean!
Ill:
• If you were going to Buckingham Palace or elsewhere to meet someone important,
• You would probably take extra care washing, bathing and preparing yourself.
• We would want to be clean and at our best for such occasions.
• TRANSITION: At the start of their priestly ministry, at their ordination,
• Aaron and his sons are instructed to wash.
• This outward washing was symbolic,
• Even if they had had ten baths that morning they still needed to wash,
• Because the washing symbolised, they were spiritually flawed (sinful).
• And to approach God and serve God they needed to be clean!
• The New Testament refers to our salvation as,
• e.g., The “washing of regeneration/rebirth” (Titus chapter 3 verse 5).
• The Old Testament uses this idea as well (Psalm 51 verse 2),
• “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
(2). CLOTHING: inadequate people need equipping (vs 7-9)
“He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him. He placed the breastpiece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
joke
• An elderly woman is going through some old boxes of clothes.
• She picks out an item, turns to her husband of forty years and speaks.
• “Look dear, I wore this when we first started dating and I can’t believe it still fits.”
• The husband looks at her replies.
• “Yes darling, you’ve always liked that scarf.”
After washing Aaron and his sons are instructed about their clothing.
• Aaron’s clothing was quite marvellous,
• His sons clothing was also special but much simpler.
• These clothes were a symbol of dignity.
Ill:
• Uniforms still mark out a person out.
• e.g., Supermarket staff to barristers in coffee shops.
• Some uniforms inform you that person has a special work,
• e.g. Police officers, nurses, medical workers, footballers & other sports.
• e.g. Even in the military you have a variety of clothing.
• Camouflage & combat uniforms, plus ceremonial clothing for special occasions.
• Uniforms are not only functional,
• But are often have features of historic or symbolic significance.
• TRANSITION: Aaron and his sons were to wear extraordinary robes.
• According to Exodus chapter 29 verse 5, they were to be ‘skilfully woven’.
• These clothes oozed dignity, importance and class.
Note:
• These clothes were also functionally,
• Aaron and his sons had work to do and these clothes would help them complete this.
Ill:
• When a soldier or police officer puts on their uniform,
• They are reminded of their responsibilities and role.
• So, Aaron and his sons have a role to play and tasks to perform,
• And God will hold them accountable for what they do.
• TRASITION: As Christians we are also called to put on our uniforms,
• To put on characteristics of Christ, like we put on clothing.
• e.g., We are called to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• (Romans chapter 13 verse 14)
• e.g. “…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
• (Colossians chapter 3 verse 12)
• And for spiritual warfare we are called to “Put on the whole armour of God.”
• (Ephesians chapter 6 verses 11-17)
“Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
(3). ANOINTING: ordinary people need consecrating (vs 10-12&23-24)
Verses 10-12:
“Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them. He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.”
Ill:
• On Wednesday 22 February 2023 7:00PM at the Mayflower Studios Southampton.
• I will be enjoying my Christmas pressie from my wife.
• Two seats are consecrated for us, they have been reserved and set apart for our use only,
• And if anyone else is sitting in them, I will politely say, “shift!”
• TRANSITION: anointed means, ‘set apart’ for a special use’.
• ‘Consecrate’ or ‘Consecrated’ also has a similar meaning,
• ‘To declare or set apart as sacred’ or ’To dedicate solemnly to a service or goal
The normal Christian life is living for Christ!
• Anointed people are no longer their own.
• They are owned by the Lord.
• We are to be like my theatre tickets, reserved and set apart for his use only,
Ill:
• Anointed people are empowered people.
• When David was anointed by Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 13).
• We are told, “from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
Note:
• It is this anointing that makes the difference,
• Between a person who is gifted or has a brilliant talent,
• And a person who exercises a spiritual ministry.
• Church history is full of ordinary people who did extraordinary things,
• e.g., Gladys Aylwood, William Carey, Amy Carmichael, Jim Elliot to name a few.
• They had something that cannot be learned and something money cannot buy!
• The anointing and empowering of God.
• And when he called them and they obeyed, he equipped them for service!
Notice (vs 23-24):
“Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splashed blood against the sides of the altar.”
We are told exact details of what parts of their bodies were anointed.
• Their right ears were anointed,
• So, they might listen to God and hear his word.
• Their right hands were anointed,
• So, they might serve God and do his will.
• Their right toes were anointed,
• So, they might obey God and walk in his ways.
• And those three things are emphasised for all Christians in the New Testament.
• Listening to God’s voice, serving him with our bodies and walking in his ways.
(4). SACRIFICING: pardoned people need fellowship (vs 14-30)
The chapter emphasises three sacrifices.
• The purification offering (vs 14-17).
• The burnt offering (vs 18-21).
• The fellowship offering (vs 22-30).
• We have looked at and explained these in earlier studies.
• Although atonement is a key element in these sacrifices.
• They also speak of reconciliation with God.
• When two opposites are brought together and united.
• Through these offerings the Hebrew people who are sinful,
• Can be connected, united, enjoy friendship & fellowship with a holy God.
Ill:
• Has anyone been on a plane trip recently?
• Has anyone been on a boat trip recently?
• Has anyone been on a train trip recently?
• Has anyone been on a coach trip recently?
• Has anyone been on a car trip recently?
• Has anyone been on a GUILT trip recently?
• TRANSITION: That one is not so much fun!
• But sadly, for some Christians failure and guilt are a regular activity!
• They do not have to be,
• Quote: 1 John chapter 1 verse 9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Ill:
• Some would say that this is too simple.
• Nothing could be finalized on word of mouth!
• Yet that is exactly what happens in a wedding.
• The simple confession “I do” seals the union, bonds two into one,
• Causes two grown up children to leave father and mother and to cleave to one another.
• It is legally recognized.
• And the good news is that God accepts us when we confess,
• A remorseful heart and words of confession restore us again to fellowship with God.
Ill:
• I have had one shower this morning,
• Just in case anyone important turned up! (could have saved myself the trouble – lol)
• But throughout the day I will wash my hands.
• I don’t need to shower every time my hands get dirty,
• I just need to wash the contaminated part.
• TRANSITION: As Christians we are showed, washed & cleansed at conversion.
• We do not have to keep becoming Christians,
• We do that once and God accepts us in the person & work of Jesus Christ.
• But no Christian is perfect, we all still make mistakes,
• And like washing the hands, we need times of confession and cleansing.
• Not to become Christians but to restore any broken fellowship with God.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=c5AbHR8105C1xUPyk8HR8hmjzRlmw12a
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/fWRquwJhOgY
