SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ [Luke 23:34] I think that we normally do not know what we are doing when we sin. If we really understood what sin was, we would not willfully do it. As I read Leviticus, I hear the heart of…
restored fellowship
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured…
bread of life
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Give us today our daily bread. [Matthew 6:11, see Proverbs 30:7-9] The symbolism of bread is important here, t represents our basic needs. Through these sacrifices we acknowledge that we do not live by bread alone, but by God’s grace and truth. We need the Lord, He is our true bread [John 6:35].
He doesn’t want blood
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ [Matthew 9:13] Jesus is faulted for eating with sinners. And yet, an underlying theme in Leviticus is on how God invites sinners to have fellowship with Him. The Tent of…
preach the good news
SCRIPTURE: Acts 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak…
shine through me
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:16] The story in Acts 27 is amazing, obviously a firsthand account of a great adventure. And in the center of this story is the hero Paul, who stands out…
it’s all about Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. [Luke 24:27] Paul is on trial for believing what Jesus said, that He is the fulfillment of all Jewish law and prophecy. The hope that drives the Jews is the hope that…
we will be persecuted
SCRIPTURE: Acts 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [Matthew 5:11-12] These words of Jesus sound lofty,…
greater than the temple
SCRIPTURE: Acts 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. [Matthew 12:6] Like Jesus, Paul is accused of dishonouring God’s temple. At one time, Paul would have joined these Jews in defending the sanctity of the temple, but now he has met the One that is greater than the temple. Though he…
bless those who curse you
SCRIPTURE: Acts 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. [Mark 14:60-61] When Paul lashes out at the high priest, we can sympathize. I have been in…