12th July 2015 - Let The Fire Burn Always on The Alter - Newton
Watch the live stream of the Sunday service from CFC Bangalore.
Summary
The sermon draws from Exodus 29:18, focusing on the command to burn the whole ram as a burnt offering, described as a sweet savor to the Lord. The speaker emphasizes the significance of this offering made by fire, connecting it to the concept of a fragrant aroma pleasing to God. The message encourages believers to live lives that are pleasing to God through sacrifice and devotion.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What was the significance of the continual burnt offering in the Old Testament?God commanded Israel to offer burnt offerings continually on the altar as a soothing aroma, pointing forward for thousands of years to the sacrifice Jesus would make.
The fire on the altar must never go outThe priest had to keep the fire burning day and night on the altar with a burnt offering, teaching the people about the constant devotion required before God.Leviticus 6:9
God did not ultimately desire animal sacrificesEven in the Old Testament, prophets and kings like David recognized that God did not take pleasure in burnt offerings, anticipating the day when Jesus would come with a prepared body to do God's will.Hebrews 10:5–6
Jesus kept every member of His body pureTempted in every way like us yet without sin, Jesus guarded His eyes, tongue, mind, and actions, offering an inner sacrifice rather than an external one.
Walking in love as a sweet-smelling aromaChrist loved us and gave Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma, fulfilling all righteousness and pleasing the Father completely.Ephesians 5:2
Presenting our bodies as a living sacrificeApostle Paul and Timothy lived out this reality, urging believers in view of God's mercies to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
An altar where fire is kindled to burn self-willBelievers have an altar where the fire of God burns up self-will so we can do His will alone, purifying our speech, attitudes, and daily lives.Hebrews 13:10
Purging our lips and eliminating spiritual lazinessJust as a live coal from the altar touched Isaiah's lips to take away his iniquity, we need God's fire to cleanse our speech and destroy spiritual laziness.Isaiah 6:5–7
What does the Lord require of you?God does not delight in thousands of rams or rivers of oil, but requires us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
To obey is better than sacrificeRebellion is compared to the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness to iniquity and idolatry; obeying God's voice is far more important than any external offering.
Being a fragrance of Christ to GodAs we allow God to work in our lives through various circumstances, our transformed lives become a true fragrance of Christ offered up to God.
