Leviticus 16
The sermon highlights the significance of the Day of Atonement and how Jesus Christ, as our High Priest, made atonement for our sins, suffering alone for us.
Chuck Smith explores the significance of Yom Kippur and its connection to the atonement made by Jesus Christ as our High Priest. He emphasizes that while the High Priest performed the atonement alone, Jesus also labored alone for our sins, humbling Himself and sacrificing His life without assistance. The sermon highlights the importance of the spotless nature of the High Priest and the means of atonement through the perfect sacrifice, drawing parallels between the rituals of Leviticus 16 and Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Smith encourages believers to reflect on their attitude towards atonement and the necessity of afflicting their souls in recognition of their sins.
Text
"YOM KIPPUR & THE CROSS"
Intro: Day of atonement once a year, daily sacrifices on an appointed day,
vs 29, 7th mo., 10th day.
I. THE PERSON WHO MADE THE ATONEMENT - THE HIGH PRIEST.
A. The other priests offered the daily sacrifices.
1. This day all the work done by high priest alone.
a. He attended to the candles. burned the incense kindled the fires.
b. He would begin assisting a month before to become familiar with
the work.
B. So Jesus Christ our high priest worked alone the atonement.
1. He has made us all priests unto God to offer the daily sacrifices
of praise.
a. None but the High Priest must offer the atonement.
C. The High Priest was a humble priests on this day. vs. 4.
1. On other days he wore the golden garments.
a. Mitre with plate of gold, tied with brilliant blue.
b. Breastplate studded with gems. adorned with pure gold.
2. On this day he put aside these dazzling garments wore the linen of
common priesthood.
D. So our High Priest Jesus Christ humbled Himself.
1. Phil. 2. "Let this mind be in you."
2. He laid aside His heavenly glory.
a. No crown but thorns.
b. No purple robe but of mockery - scepter.
3. How little we understand or appreciate.
E. The High Priest must be spotless.
1. First had to make atonement for his own sin. vs. 3. 6. 11. 12. 13.
a. He had the smoke of the incense before him.
b. He washed five times this day.
F. We have a spotless High Priest.
1. He need no washing or sacrifice for Himself.
2. O worship & adore Him.
G. Atonement was made by a solitary High Priest alone & unassisted. Vs. 17.
H. Christ suffered alone for you.
I. He was a laborious High Priest on this day.
1. He had to slaughter 15 beasts on this day.
a. Two lambs of the morning & evening sacrifice.
b. Burnt offering of one bullock & one ram and 7 lambs of the
first year. Numb. 29:7-11. One goat for sin offering beside the
goat for atonement. These with the bullock & ram for himself.
J. How Christ labored alone for us.
1. Night in Gethsemene agony & sweat as blood.
2. All night in hearings & court.
3. Whipping crown of thorns & mockery.
4. Via dolorosa with weight of cross.
II. THE MEANS WHEREBY ATONEMENT WAS MADE. Vs. 5. 7-9.
A. Perfect unblemished goat of the first year.
1. Purchased by the Temple treasury. vs. 5.
B. So Christ in prime of manhood bought for 30 pieces of silver.
C. See the goat as it dies.
D. The blood taken within the veil.
III. THE SCAPEGOAT. VS. 20.
A. Our sins taken away.
IV. OUR ATTITUDE. VS. 29, AFFLICT YOUR SOUL'S DO NO WORK AT ALL.
P. S. After all sacrifices were completed priest would bathe himself and come out in
his glorious robes of the High Priest to the congregation.
Sermon Outline
- The Person Who Made the Atonement - The High Priest points: - The High Priest's Work - Attended to candles, incense, and fires - Became familiar with the work a month before
- Made us all priests unto God points: - Jesus Christ as Our High Priest - Offered the daily sacrifices of praise
- Wore linen garments on the Day of Atonement points: - The High Priest's Humility - Laid aside His heavenly glory
- Made atonement for His own sin points: - The High Priest's Spotlessness - Was spotless and needed no washing or sacrifice
- Worked alone and unassisted points: - Atonement Made by a Solitary High Priest - Suffered alone for us
- 'F: The Means Whereby Atonement Was Made'
- 'A: Perfect unblemished goat of the first year'
- 'B: Christ in prime of manhood bought for 30 pieces of silver'
- 'G: The Scapegoat'
- 'A: Our sins taken away'
- 'H: Our Attitude'
- 'A: Afflict your soul''s do no work at all'
Key Quotes
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Chuck Smith
“He need no washing or sacrifice for Himself.” — Chuck Smith
“O worship & adore Him.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should reflect on our sins and seek atonement, just like the people on the Day of Atonement.
- We should have a humble attitude, like the high priest on the Day of Atonement, and lay aside our earthly glory.
- We should worship and adore Jesus Christ, who made atonement for our sins and suffered alone for us.