To download a copy

of today’s lesson go to

TheGoodTeacher.comand click on “Gospel Meetings”

Be Holy As I Am Holy

Leviticus 19:2

Fredericktown church of Christ Gospel Meeting * August 9, 2009 * Prepared by Chris Reeves

Leviticus Neglected

• Leviticus is considered boring by many; detailed sacrifices, long lists of laws, etc.

• Leviticus is neglected in our reading

• Leviticus is for us today! (Rom. 15:4)

Introduction to Leviticus

• Title: Leviticus (Lev. 25:32-33; Heb. 7:11)

• Author: Moses (Lev. 1:1; Mt. 8:4; Lk. 2:22-24; Rom. 10:5)

• Occasion: Israel at Mt. Sinai, 1 month period (Ex. 40:17; Lev. 7:38; 25:1; 26:46; 27:34; Num. 1:1)

Introduction to Leviticus

• Theme: “Holy Living” … “Set Apart for God”

– Leviticus 11:44-45

– “Holy” is found 77 times in the book (KJV)

• NT Use: Jn. 1:15 (Lev. 10:9); Lk. 2:24 (Lev. 12:8); Rom. 10:5 and Gal. 3:12 (Lev. 18:5); 1 Pet. 1:16 (Lev. 19:2); Mt. 5:33 (Lev. 19:12); Mt. 5:43; 19:19; 22:37,39 – Mk. 12:31,33 – Lk. 10:27 – Rom. 13:9 – Gal. 5:14 and Jas. 2:8 (Lev. 19:18); Ac. 3:23 (Lev. 23:29); Mt. 5:38 (Lev. 24:20); 2 Cor. 6:16 (Lev. 26:12)

The Book of Leviticus( Outlined )

• The WAY to God (Lev. 1-17) – “Get right with God!”

– Access to God through holy sacrifices

• The WALK with God (18-27) – “Keep right with God!”

– Fellowship with God through holy living

Introduction to Leviticus

• A Holy God (1 Pet. 1:15-16)

• A Holy Priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5)

• A Holy Nation (1 Pet. 2:9)

“Be Holy As I Am Holy”1 Peter 1:15-16

• Peter quotes from Leviticus (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7,26; 21:8) to establish his point concerning Christian holiness

• Note the theme of holy living running through 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:12 (1:15-16,19,22; 2:1,5,9,11)

• What can we learn from this quotation about holy living today?

“Be Holy”

• God’s people can and must live holy lives – lives that are set apart for God’s service and pure (Rom. 6:19,22; Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14)

• God’s people can remove sin from their lives; God’s people do not have to sin (1 Jn. 2:1)

“As I Am Holy”

• God’s people can and must live like God in heaven … God, not man, is our standard of living (Eph. 4:24; Heb. 12:10; 2 Pet. 1:4)

• We must be like God: perfect (Mt. 5:48); merciful (Lk. 6:36); holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16); light (1 Jn. 1:5-9); pure and righteous (1 Jn. 3:3,7); love (1 Jn. 3:7-21; 4:17)

Be Holy Means Be Different• “Distinction” is a theme of Leviticus (10:10;

11:47; 20:25; see Ezek. 22:26; 42:40; 44:23; 48:14-15)

• We must exhibit a “distinction” in…

– Our living (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; note 6:16 and Lev. 26:12)

– Our family (Eph. 5:22 – 6:4)

– Our preaching (Acts 20:27)

– Our view of the Lord’s church (Mt. 16:18; Ac. 4:12)

How To Be Holy As God is Holy• Remember the salvation for you (Lev. 11:44-45)

• Repent of the sin within you (Lev. 5:5)

• Remove the uncleanness from among you (Lev. 15:31)

• Reject the worldliness outside you (Lev. 18:1-5,24-30)

• Recognize the distinction around you (Lev. 10:10-11)

• Reverence the Lord God above you (Lev. 19:2,3,4,10,12,14,16,18,25,28,30,31,32,34,36,37)