2023.09.24.Sermon Notes. The Days of Awe! Return to GOD. YOM KIPPUR DAY OF ATONEMENT
William Akehurst, HSWC
Rosh Hashanah, the Days of Awe, Yom Kippur. The Fall Feasts of the LORD.
BIG IDEA: The Days of Awe, 10 days of repentance, 10 days of fearing GOD. The Shofar has sounded the Alarm. These are the last 10 days before Judgment Day. It is a time to humbly submit ourselves to GOD, to turn from the world and to return to GOD. A time to forgive and be forgiven. And the question lingers, Am I truly submitting to GOD?
GOD is Awesome, Forgiving, Merciful, Loving and Good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS Purpose.
Scriptures Referenced: Psalms 33:8, Psalms 47:1-2, 1 Samuel 12:24, Genesis 3:10, Exodus 3:5-6, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 10:28, Romans 6:23, Mark 1:14-15, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 1:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Psalms 139:23-24, Psalms 51:1-4, Psalms 51:7-15
Psalms 33:8 (NKJV) 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!
THE DAYS OF AWE are a time for repentance, reconciliation, and restoration.
We are living in a shattered world, and longing for restoration and hope.
But are we willing to submit ourselves fully to GOD?
And once again, do we really understand what it means by the “fear of the LORD”?
GOD IS AWESOME AND TO BE REVERENTLY FEARED
Psalms 47:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.
(ESV) 2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
FEAR AND SERVE TRUTHFULLY WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
1 Samuel 12:24 (NKJV)
24 Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
FEAR: to be afraid, to revere, to have a positive feeling of reverence for GOD
WEBSTER - profound reverence and awe especially toward GOD
THE DAYS OF AWE 2023
The ten days between Rosh Hashanah (beginning at sundown on Friday September 15th) and Yom Kippur (ending at sundown on Thursday, September 28th) are known as the Days of Awe, or Yameem Noraeem. The Hebrew root word is “yare” which means to be afraid, to fear, to revere, to have a positive feeling of reverence for God.
FEAR OF THE LORD
TO BE AFRAID OUT OF GUILT
ILLUS: Child and the cookie jar
Genesis 3:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
TO BE AFRAID OUT OF RESPECT (AWE AND REVERENCE)
Exodus 3:1-6 (NKJV)
1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
GOD CALLS TO MOSES
4 So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
JESUS CALLS US
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
THAT’S A SERIOUS STATEMENT TO REFLECT UPON REGARDING THE FEAR OF THE LORD.
Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
JESUS SAID, NOW IS THE TIME TO CHANGE AND BELIEVE
Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
TESHUVAH – REPENTANCE – RETURN
We hear the word repent and repentance many times through scriptures, but what does it really mean?
Webster defines Repenting or Repentance as to “feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.”
WIKIPEDIA states:
Repentance is reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment to and actual actions that show and prove a change for the better.
In modern times, it is generally seen as involving a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more responsible and humane life. In other words, being sorry for one's misdeeds.
It can also involve sorrow over a specific sin or series of sins that an individual feels guilt over, or conviction that he or she has committed.
In religious contexts, it often involves an act of confession to God or to a spiritual elder.
This confession might include an admission of guilt, a promise or intent not to repeat the offense, an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
GODLY SORRY – PRODUCES TRUE REPENTANCE – LEADS TO TRUE SALVATION
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
GODLY SORROW, THE PAIN YOU FEEL WHEN GOD IS DEALING WITH YOU.
PRODUCES REPENTANCE, BRINGS US TO REALIZING OUR NEED TO CHANGE. TO HATE SIN, AND LOVE WHAT IS GOOD.
BRINGS CHANGE THAT LEADS TO SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
KNOWING WE FAIL AND CANNOT DO IT ON OUR OWN, AND OUR NEED FOR THE ATONING BLOOD OF JESUS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SIN.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT) 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
GODLY SORROW
We understand that sorrow, more importantly godly* sorrow produces repentance.
Godly sorrow is realizing our sinful condition before THE HOLY GOD.
So often I have taught that Repent meant to be sorrowful, or to change. But there is a deeper meaning that can be found in the root of the Hebrew word translated as repent or repentance. The word is “Teshuvah”
TESHUVAH
What can we learn from Hebrew for the root of this word TESHUVAH which we interpret as “Repent”?
Teshuvah which has been interpreted in the Bible as “repent or repentance” actually has deeper meaning.
Teshuvah’s root meaning is…”To Return”. A call to Teshuvah is a call by GOD, for all mankind “to return” to HIMSELF in body, soul and spirit.
When we read Matthew 4:17 once again with this new understanding, we see that JESUS is actually saying “Return to GOD, for the Kingdom has now come.”
Don’t delay…Teshuvah. Now is the time TO RETURN our hearts, our minds, our lives and actions to GOD.
RETURN TO GOD – WALK IN HIS LIGHT – RETURN, REPENT, AND BE CHANGED
1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
ROSH HASHANAH and YOM KIPPUR
Rosh Hashanah, marks the beginning of the FEAST of TRUMPETS and the Days of Awe. A time for self-examination of our life in comparison to GOD’s command for Holiness. Following this thought, it’s a time when we can realize how we fall short to GOD’s GLORY by just how sinful we are as a people; and come to the understanding of our need for repentance and change. It's also a time for us to forgive and be forgiven, going to those we have offended, and making things right.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement culminates this Feast with the requirement of the payment for these shortcomings. Literally, a Sacrifice as payment for sin. JESUS made payment as that sacrifice for our sin, and offers HIMSELF to all who will receive.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
* * * * *
SIDE NOTE:
In my studies, I learned something significant that happens at the end of the Yom Kippur Service that wraps up the feasts of the LORD for the past season and announces the new beginning of the next. It is the Sound of the Shofar, Sounding the “Last Trumpet”. At the end of Yom Kippur Services, the Shofar is blown one last time.
Which brings to mind…
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NKJV)
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Makes one think doesn’t it?
* * * * *
SO TIME IS FLEETING AND WE MUST REACT NOW.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO RETURN TO GOD.
NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE WE ARE READY TO MEET HIM
THE TIME IS NOW TO ALLOW THE LORD TO CLEANSE US THROUGH OUR CONFESSION OF SIN.
CONFESSING OUR SIN
1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
44 statements – Al Chet – Confession of Sins – a list of 44 statements used on Yom Kippur.
(The "Al Chet" is a list of 44 statements to guide us to examine the root of our sins against GOD, and confess it before the LORD. In Jewish tradition, The “Al Chet” is spoken ten times in the course of the Yom Kippur services on Yom Kippur Eve, then the next morning and afternoon of Yom Kippur day. The final time, it is spoken in silence.)
As we read these statements, we examine our hearts to uncover areas in our lives in which we need to change.
For the Christian believer, we can say:
ALMIGHTY GOD, We come in JESUS’ Name and ask for Your forgiveness:
1. For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.
2. And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.
3. For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.
4. And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.
5. For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.
6. And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.
7. For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.
8. And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.
9. For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.
10. And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.
11. For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.
12. And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.
13. For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.
14. And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.
15. For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion or intimidation.
16. And for the sin which we have committed before You by desecrating the Divine Name.
17. For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of speech.
18. And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish talk.
19. For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil inclination.
20. And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.
21. For the sin which we have committed before You by false denial and lying.
22. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a bribe-taking or a bribe-giving hand.
23. For the sin which we have committed before You by scoffing.
24. And for the sin which we have committed before You by evil talk [about another].
25. For the sin which we have committed before You in business dealings.
26. And for the sin which we have committed before You by eating and drinking.
27. For the sin which we have committed before You by [taking or giving] interest and by usury.
28. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a haughty demeanor.
29. For the sin which we have committed before You by the prattle of our lips.
30. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a glance of the eye.
31. For the sin which we have committed before You with proud looks.
32. And for the sin which we have committed before You with impudence.
33. For the sin which we have committed before You by casting off the yoke [of Heaven].
34. And for the sin which we have committed before You in passing judgment.
35. For the sin which we have committed before You by scheming against a fellowman.
36. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a begrudging eye.
37. For the sin which we have committed before You by frivolity.
38. And for the sin which we have committed before You by obduracy/stubbornness.
39. For the sin which we have committed before You by running to do evil.
40. And for the sin which we have committed before You by tale-bearing.
41. For the sin which we have committed before You by swearing in vain.
42. And for the sin which we have committed before You by causeless hatred.
43. For the sin which we have committed before You by embezzlement.
44. And for the sin which we have committed before You by a confused heart.
For all these, God of pardon, pardon us, forgive us, atone for us.
PRAYER OF RETURN FROM SCRIPTURE
Psalms 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 51:1-4 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
Psalms 51:7-15 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
FATHER GOD, I confess my sin before YOU, and believe that YOU have forgiven me through the redeeming blood of JESUS upon the cross, and that I have been sealed by YOUR HOLY SPIRIT in me and that my name is sealed in the Book of Life. Thank YOU for cleansing me and making me whole. All Praise, Honor and Glory to YOU LORD GOD, in JESUS’ Name, Amen.
Be blessed and Be a Blessing
Bill
