OT Sacrifices As A Type Of Christian

Worship

• As we study this subject I think it wise to begin with the question.

• “What is the purpose of sacrifices?”• After man sinned direct access to

God was lost so a sacrificial system came into plan?

• Sacrifices were offered for various reasons.

• Consecration – to show devotion and reverence to God.

• Expiration – to have sins covered and forgiven.

• Propitiation – to appease or satisfy divine anger.

• Sacrifices (gifts, offerings) were something of value, usually an animal sacrifice.

• It was then offered to God for justification (forgiveness, cleansing of sins).

• So that the worship, homage and reverence rendered would be acceptable to God.

• Question: If it cost you nothing is it really a sacrifice? 2.Sam.24:21-

• So much of what people consider sacrifice is not so in God’ eyes.

• Is insincerity, half-hearted, convenience really sacrifice?

• Today we no longer are under the OT sacrificial system.

• It was abolished by Jesus’ death Col.2:14-17.

• A study of Heb.5-10 would be profitable to learn why the OT system was both ineffective, inadequate for the needs of man.

• The OT system was only a shadow and type of the realities we now enjoy in Christ.

• It is not my purpose to discuss the differences, but to draw some parallels that might make our worship today more acceptable.

• The primary lesson. God teaches man through His word HOW He expects to be worshipped.

• Regardless of which dispensation or religious system man has lived under God determines what He will accept, and from whom He will accept it.

• He regulates Who, Where, What, How, When sacrifices will be acceptable for true worship, homage and reverence.

• He tells man what He wants.

• He provides the pattern (details) to be followed.

• He then warns men they must not deviate from His plan.

• He WILL NOT accept less.• Heb.8:5. God gives Moses the

pattern for the tabernacle. • He then “divinely instructs” him not

to change it. • Moses didn’t Ex.25:9, 40.

• Chrematizo (to admonish, warn, give a divine oracle) to do exactly as He instructed.

• He later did the same thing for the temple built by Solomon 1.Chron. 28:7, 11-13.

• Even though we no longer have the tabernacle, temple (shadows) the true, real tabernacles exists in the Lord’s church.

• With the New temple, church (the substance, not the shadow) God expects no less than He did with the Old.

• His divine instructions must be respected Jn.12:48; Matt.28:20; Acts 2:42; Col.3:17; 1.Pet.4:11.

• Don’t deviate from the pattern.• God will not accept any changes

Rev.11:1.

• In previous times God chose WHO was acceptable to offer sacrifices

• Priests had to be of tribe of Levi to be qualified to serve as priests and offer sacrifices.

• They had to qualify in life also Lev.21 (marriage, no body defects)

• They were His special people.• The WHO today, priesthood of

believers 1.Pet.2:5, 9.

• Only those qualified by new birth, cleansed, purified can serve and offer sacrifices to God 1.Pet.1:22, 23; 2.Tim.2:19-21; Tit.2:11-13.

• WHERE are the sacrifices to be offered? In the church of Christ (not the building, but people).

• This is God’s real temple today 1.Cor.3:16-17; 1.Pet.2:5.

• No acceptable worship elsewhere

• Outside the true temple sacrifice is unacceptable regardless of sincerity, price.

• WHAT are acceptable sacrifices? God wants the very best, not leavings, partials, etc.

• OT sacrifices – animals of proper age, sex, no physical blemish.

• NT - whole hearts, clean lives, time and work Rom.12:1-2; 2.Cor.8:5.

• HOW are sacrifices to be offered?• God gave specific instructions of how

to administer sacrifices.• Burn incense with special fire, no

changes Lev.10:12.• Enter Holy of holies. Only high priest

cleansed, with incense and blood of qualified goat.

• Blood sprinkled on mercy seat.

• We enter with incense (prayers) and blood of Christ.

• We bring ourselves to offer what we are (heart, mind, lips, lives) Heb.13:15; 10:22-25.

• WHEN do we offer sacrifices? God set the times. In OT incense daily, lamps lighted at dusk, showbread weekly, yearly day of atonement.

• God set time for Christians. They continued steadfastly Acts 2:42.

• Prayers continually.• Sing praises whenever.• As collective – all together take

Lord’s Supper weekly.• Collection weekly.• Ps.19:14.