Entering the Arena with God

In one paragraph

This Sunday's message was brought by Renee, a longtime Tribe member, while Brian and Lissa were on vacation. She worked through the book of Leviticus, arguing that even in its dense regulations and rituals, God is writing a love letter to his people. The throughline connecting everything was the question Brian had been building toward in previous weeks: who walks out of the Thunderdome, you or...

Read together

1. Matthew 18:20 Renee opens prayer noting where two or three are gathered, God is with them
2. Revelation 12:11 they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony
3. Leviticus 11:44-45 God commands Israel to consecrate themselves and be holy as he is holy
4. 1 John 1:5 God is light and in him there is no darkness at all
5. 1 Peter 1:15-16 be holy in all you do for it is written be holy because I am holy
6. 2 Peter 1:2-4 his divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through knowledge of him
7. Acts 17:27-31 in him we live and move and have our being, God has appointed a man to judge the world
8. Exodus 32:1-6 Israelites misplaced their worship by making a golden calf while Moses was on the mountain
9. Leviticus 1:4-5 lay your hand on the animal's head, slaughter it, priests splatter blood on the altar
10. Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says come to me all who are weary, my yoke is easy and my burden is light
11. Leviticus 1:10 goats and sheep used for the burnt offering
12. John 1:29 John calls Jesus the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
13. Genesis 22:13-14 Abraham finds a ram caught in a thicket and sacrifices it in place of his son, names the place the Lord will provide
14. Matthew 13:24-30 parable of wheat and weeds growing together until harvest when weeds are burned
15. Luke 3:22 Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove
16. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances
17. Hebrews 13:15 offer up a sacrifice of praise
18. Revelation 5:8 prayers of the saints described as incense to God
19. Revelation 8:3-4 prayers of the saints described as incense to God
20. 1 John 3:2 we are called God's children
21. Revelation 1:6 we are called priests
22. Revelation 5:10 we are called priests
23. John 6:25-59 Jesus identified as the bread of life
24. Hebrews 4:15 Jesus described as the great high priest
25. John 1:29 Jesus the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, ultimate sacrifice
26. Romans 5:12 sin entered the world through Adam
27. Romans 3:10 there is no one righteous not even one
28. Romans 3:23 all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
29. Matthew 23:25 woe to Pharisees who clean the outside of the cup but inside are full of greed, first clean the inside

Talk about it

1. Renee shared that her early religious upbringing gave her knowledge but not hope, and that a real encounter with Jesus changed everything for her. What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing him, and where are you on that spectrum right now?
2. Several people in the room tried to define holiness, and the conversation landed on ideas like being set apart, humble, true, and pure. How do you personally think about holiness, and does it feel like something achievable or something that requires God to do in you?
3. Renee walked through how Jesus shows up all through Leviticus, in the sacrifices, the grain offering, the birds, and the offerings for sin and guilt. Did any of those connections land for you in a new way, and why do you think it matters to find Jesus in those older parts of scripture?
4. The image of wheat being ground into flour came up as a way of thinking about trials and suffering, and Renee connected it to the idea of a sacrifice of praise. Has there been a season in your life where praising God in the middle of pain felt costly, and what did that do to your faith?
5. The Thunderdome idea that has been running through the last few weeks came up again at the end. Renee asked how long we want to keep wrestling with Jesus over the things he has asked us to surrender. Is there something specific you are still fighting him on, and what do you think is keeping you in the ring?