Scriptures and Key Points:
Easter reminds us of the amazing and great grace that came from the work of the Cross.
- There is more to our relationship with the Lord than just our salvation.
Psalm 51:12 NKJV Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
- There are liberties and freedoms given to us through the work of the Cross and the power of the resurrection.
- The old is a type and shadow of the liberty and freedom in the new.
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Revelation 13:8 NKJV All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
- Jesus was saying to pray in completeness.
“Born to Die”, Doug’s book about what Jesus Did:
“In his book, ‘Born to Die’, Dr. Doug Stringer has skillfully reminded us of those truths the apostles and early church fathers clearly understood and fervently taught, that ‘in the old covenant the new was concealed and in the new covenant the old is revealed.’ All those wonderful signs, symbols, and sacrifices were completely fulfilled in the coming, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Even before reading the first line of the first chapter, Dr. Stringer had my attention in his introduction and table of contents, especially the title of Chapter 14, ‘The Great Exchange.’ There is no better way to sum up the power, purpose, and content of this book than by Doug’s explanation that through the new covenant we participate in a supernatural exchange with Christ.
We bring to Him what we have, no explanation necessary here, and He brings to us all that He has. This is a win-win exchange program, and we are reminded of this great Kingdom principle every time we participate in Holy Communion and we hear the minister recite the words of Christ when He raised the bread: ‘Take and eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Then: ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’
As I then backed up and read from the beginning I could only say a resounding AMEN! Thank you, Dr. Stringer, for reminding us how Christ has so fully bridged the old and new covenants.” – Dr. Charles Travis, president of Logos University
What Christ did was fully bridge the old and new covenants.
- The ramifications of Christ’s sacrifice unfold as you look at the first seven chapters of Leviticus.
- Each of the Levitical sacrifices, in fact the whole Bible, points to Jesus.
- The purpose of studying the Bible is to bring us into a vital relationship with our Lord Jesus.
The Five Primary Levitical Sacrifices are reflected in the work of the Cross.
Total surrender to the Father’s will – the Burnt Offering
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- Luke 22:42 NKJV …Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done…
- This is the essence of true worship.
- There comes a time when the work on the Cross becomes so real that we desire to fully surrender to His will.
Obedience of sinless service – the Grain Offering (Meal or Meat Offering)
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- Leviticus 2:13 NKJV And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
- Jesus is the salt of the Earth who came to cover and preserve us.
- God wants us to be salty christians who bring preservation, healing, and flavor.
The sweet communion – the Peace Offering (Fellowship Offering)
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- It’s a symbol of friendship and reconciliation.
- We can experience relationship with God through the work of the cross.
- Christ is our peace.
- John 14:27 NKJV Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus is our expunger, our purifier, and our guilt-bearer – The Sin Offering
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- Expunge means to eliminate completely.
- Jesus was our guilt substitute for our sins.
- Romans 6:23 NKJV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Isaiah 1:18 GNT The Lord says, “Now, let’s settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.
- John 1:29 NKJV …Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
The payment for the damage of sin was made on the cross – The Trespass Offering
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- We need Jesus to heal the damage done by our sin.
- Isaiah 53:8 NKJV …For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
- 1 John 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Jesus took the punishment for our sins on the cross.
- He is our doorway to salvation and eternal life.
Can We Praise God As Our Liberator Even If We Are In Chains?
“At Passover we celebrate our liberation from the bondage of physical slavery. It is well known that the Exodus served as the inspiration for liberty worldwide. American Revolutionary leaders wanted to incorporate the image of the deliverance of the Israelites at the Red Sea with the motto “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God” as the Great Seal of the new nation.
Many peoples have won their physical independence from foreign conquerors; the great tragedy and shame is that they have remained mired in oppression, ignorance, and civil disorder as their leaders stole from their own people instead of investing in education and social advancement…
It has always been clear that liberation out of Egypt was only the first step.
The true freedom came 50 days later when the people accepted the Torah at Sinai. The knowledge, the rules and education given to us on Mount Sinai made the difference between merely physical liberation, which can be lost in an instant, and true spiritual freedom which can never be lost.
There is a well know statement from the time of the Holocaust, when Rabbi Oshry was asked,” May one recite the traditional daily blessing ” Blessed art Thou, O Lord Our God, Who has not made me a slave.”? The wise Rabbi taught that while the Nazis could take away one’s physical freedom, they could never steal anyone’s spiritual freedom! As long as we hold on to our spiritual values our freedom is secure.
It is for that reason that the Torah, in giving us the principles for the observance of the Passover, emphasized, “You shall teach your child” about the liberation from Egyptian bondage ( Exodus 13:8). It also told us, in the declaration, “You shall teach your child” the duty to love the Holy One and remain loyal to the Divine values ( Deuteronomy 6:7). True liberty can exist only with deep values and personal discipline…” – Rabbi Emmanuel Zadok
There is much in the Old Testament that brings light to what Jesus did the New Testament.
- We need to look not only to our salvation, but recognize that we also have healing, liberation, and deliverance.
- External circumstances should not dictate our peace.
Philippians 4:7 NASB And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:1 NKJV Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
- Our only hope comes from that relationship through the Lord Jesus Christ enabled by the work on the cross.
Books:
- Born to Die by Doug Stringer
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