The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

2. ACCESS TO GOD IN SERVICE (Leviticus 1:1 - 7:38)

Saved By Sacrifice
Chapters 1:1 to 7:38 consist of instructions for the proper offering of the five sorts of sacrifices: the burnt - meal - peace - sin - and trespass offering.

Leviticus 1:2 "... When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock - of the herd and of the flock."

The offerings brought by Israel were costly but were ineffective.

Hebrews 10:4 "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."

There was only effectiveness in what these sacrifices figured - the perfect once for all sacrifice of Christ.

Hebrews 9:11-12 "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. "

(Hebrews 10:1-2 ). The reality anticipated in the offerings of Leviticus, was fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

Isaiah 53:6 "... And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

The Lord Jesus Himself explained it.

Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

We are saved by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for our sins - through Him we have access to God and by Him alone can we serve God.

Saved By The Blood And Made Fit To Serve

Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

Ephesians 2:13 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ."

Ephesians 2:18 "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."

"Both" that is those who were near (Israel) and afar off (Gentiles). Because of the shed blood of Jesus we have access and realisation of service planned by God for us.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

We are saved by His perfect sacrifice for time and eternity. In the five offerings we have pictured the believer's service that is sacrificial.