Message Notes

Youth Worship Service 9 November 2024
Message Outline

Title: “I am the LORD”

Text: Leviticus 19:1-18

INTRODUCTION

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Exodus 19:4-6

1. God had reminded the nation of Israel of how He had delivered them

a) His power displayed on the Egyptians

b) Bringing the Israelites to Himself

2. God had called for an appropriate response

a) They were to be a nation set apart and different from all others

i. A special treasure to Him above all people

ii. A kingdom of priests and a holy nation

iii. We too are called to be a holy nation and His special people (1 Peter 2:9)

b) This was conditional upon

i. Their obedience to His voice

ii. Their keeping of God’s covenant

3. Unfortunately, Israel sinned terribly against God and behaved in a manner that was unholy

THE COMMAND TO BE HOLY WAS ONCE AGAIN GIVEN

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 19:1-2

1. “You shall be holy”

a) This was a direct command from God

b) It was their responsibility to obey and be holy

c) The nation needed to be reminded that they were to be holy

2. “For I the LORD your God am holy”

a) Holiness was not just their responsibility but a reasoned response

b) Their practice of holiness was to flow from the LORD and His holiness

i. The LORD

(1) He is their God

(2) He is holy

(3) The people of God needed to reflect His holiness

ii. “I am the LORD” was repeated many times

(1) Shortened form of “I the LORD your God am holy”

(2) Emphasis: Each expression of holiness was a reflection of God’s holiness

(3) Reminder: The command to express holiness came from this holy God

(4) Focus: God’s Lordship and His holiness

PRACTICAL WAYS TO EXPRESS GOD’S HOLINESS MADE KNOWN BY GOD

1. God taught the nation of Israel how to practise holiness in their lives

a) The underlying principles of the 10 Commandments led to these expressions

b) Instruction that would shape how the nation lived their lives was provided

2. Some expressions of holiness which are relevant and applicable to youths today

a) Honour older ones

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:3

‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honour the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:32

i. Parents

(1) This was meant for everyone

(2) We might not be able to love but we are commanded to honour them

(3) We can honour them by revering and obeying them (Ephesians 6:2)

ii. Seniors

(1) Recognising who are the gray headed and the old men

(2) Showing them the proper regard

b) Honour God

‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:3

And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12

i. Keep His Sabbaths

(1) God provided an example of working hard and resting (Exodus 20:8-11)

(2) The nation had to learn how to set aside time to rest after working hard

(3) The day they set aside was to be consecrated for God (worship)

(4) This was a day God blessed and hallowed

ii. Respect His name

(1) The people were not to make promises in God’s name falsely/insincerely

(2) The people were not to profane the name of their God

c) Treat others well

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger:
I am the LORD your God.

‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.

‘You shall not cheat your neighbour, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:9-11, 13-14

i. To be aware that there were some who were less fortunate

(1) To be concerned for them

(2) To be moved with compassion

(3) To spare a thought for them

ii. Refrain from wickedness (these were drawn from the 10 Commandments)

(1) Stealing

(2) Dealing falsely

(3) Lying to one another

(4) Cheat and rob one’s neighbour

iii. Treat the disabled with respect

d) How to respond to those who had wronged them

‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbour, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:17-18

i. People within the nation might sin against one another

ii. God taught the people how to express holiness in such a context too

(1) No hatred was to be harboured in the heart

(2) The issue was to be addressed candidly

(3) No vengeance was to be taken and no grudge borne

iii. The children of Israel had to learn to love their neighbour as themselves

RELEVANT LESSONS WE CAN LEARN

1. Recognise that we have a holy God

2. Remember that we are called to be a holy nation and His own special people

3. Reflect His holiness through the way we live our lives