The Guilt/Reparation Offering

1. Review and Context: How have each of the offerings pointed us to Jesus?
   1. Two so far include atonement
      1. Burnt Offering
         1. Need for a substitute to bear God's wrath
         2. Propitiation
      2. Sin/Purification Offering
         1. Need for the shedding of blood to purify us from uncleanness
         2. Expiation
   2. Two so far are celebration
      1. Grain Offering
         1. Sanctification and consecration of all of life
         2. Reminder of the covenant promises of God
      2. Fellowship/Peace Offering
         1. Celebration of peace with God through sacrifice
2. The text: Leviticus 5:14-6:7,7:1-10
3. The sacrifice
   1. A ram was required, no substitutes except possibly the monetary equivalent
   2. In addition to the ram, "compensation" was also required
      1. Restitution for the wrong
      2. Plus an additional 20%
4. The circumstances
   1. A sin against the "holy things" of the Lord
      1. Its not clear what this is exactly
      2. Lev 22:14 - Eating a "holy thing" when one is not qualified
      3. Compensation goes to the priests, who were also deprived if someone took something holy that was for their sustenance
      4. Possibly could also include failure to carry through on a vow, dedication, or tithe
   2. "Doing what ought not be done"
      1. There is no reparation + 20% on this one
      2. May have been for a sense of guiltiness without knowing what exactly you are guilty of
   3. A sin against a neighbor
      1. Examples
         1. Deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security
         2. Robbery
         3. Oppression
         4. Found something lost and lie about it
         5. Swearing Falsely
      2. Restoration is made to the injured party, plus and additional 20%
5. Application
   1. Jesus is the offering that covers our sin
      1. We have all done wrong in regard to the "holy things" and our neighbor
      2. For there to be reconciliation, this debt must be repaid
      3. Jesus pays it all for us--he is both the sacrificial ram and the restitution
   2. What about the reparation?
      1. How can you repay God?
         1. God doesn't live in a temple built with human hands (Acts 17:24)
         2. Everything is already God's, so how can you (re)pay him? (Job 41:11)
         3. Jesus' obedience (not just his sacrifice) repays what we really can't
         4. Our response: Rom 12:1 "In view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices...."
      2. If you have wronged your neighbor, you should seek to restore the loss
         1. Eg. Luke 19:8-9 Zacchaeus
      3. BUT Christians should forgive one another
         1. Parable of Unmerciful Servant (Matt. 18 21-35)
         2. Matt. 6:12 "Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us"
      4. On the flipside, be gracious to your brothers and sisters and ALLOW them to repay; this may be part of their process of reconciliation to God
   3. Broader principle of being reconciled to your neighbor
      1. Matt 5:23-24 "If you are offering your gift at the altar..."
      2. One another commands
         1. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Rom 12:10)
         2. Honor one another above yourselves (Rom 12:10)
         3. Live in harmony with one another (Rom 12.16)
         4. Stop passing judgment on one another (Rom 14:13)
         5. Accept one another ... just as Christ accepted you (Rom 15:7)
         6. Greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom 16:16, 1 Cor 16:20, 2 Cor 13:12, 1 Pet 5:14)
         7. Serve one another in love (Gal 5:13)
         8. Bear with one another in love (Eph 4:2, Col 3:13)
         9. Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4:32)
         10. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19)
         11. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21)
         12. Forgive whatever grievances you may have (Col 3:13)
         13. Encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thes 5:11, Heb 3:13, 10:25)
         14. Spur one another toward love and good deed (Heb 10:24)
         15. Do not slander one another (James 4:11)
         16. Love one another (John 13:34-35, 1 Pet 1:22, 1 John 3:11, 3:23, 4:7, 11-12, 2 John 5)
         17. Live in harmony with one another (1 Pet 3:8)
         18. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Pet 4:9)
         19. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (1 Pet 5:5)
6. Closing summary: The bottom line
   1. Just as the effects of sin are far-reaching, so is redemption
   2. Redemption is through Jesus' sacrifice, prefigured in these offerings
   3. Jesus' death reconciles us to God
      1. Averting his wrath (burnt offering)
      2. Purifying us, making us clean (sin/purification offering)
      3. Repaying God the debt that we owed him (guilt/reparation offering)
7. Questions
   1. What does the guilt/reparation offering teach us about God? about ourselves?
   2. Which of the offerings do you connect with most and why?
   3. What is one specific application point from tonight or from this series so far for which you would like the people at your table to hold you accountable? (This means follow-up!)