Digging DeeperReaching Higher

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every let us strip off every weightweight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

(Hebrews 12:1)

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God's throne.(Hebrews 12:2)

• Google “godtube baggage”

OR• http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9CMJ2MNU

BaggageHave you ever felt…

• Guilty

• Regret

• Hurt

What is God’s answer to this?

Sacrifice• Humans have been offering animal

sacrifices since history began

• God didn’t ask for it, humans just did it – To make amends for their guilt– To say they were sorry– To stop the gods being angry– Even sacrificed children

• So God brought order and meaning to it

Leviticus 1:1-2

The Lord called to Moses from the Tent of Meeting and said to him, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an offering to the Lord, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats.

Leviticus 1:3

If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting so you may be accepted by the Lord

Leviticus 1:4-5Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the Lord will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. Then slaughter the young bull in the Lord's presence, and Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the animal's blood by splattering it against all sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

God’s way of sacrifice• Get an animal (a male, no defects)

– Not a human– Something that costs

• Bring it to the priest• Admit your mistake• Lay your hands on its head

– Press hard, transfer your guilt

• Kill the animal– Watch it die in your place

• Not cheap, easy forgiveness

God’s way of sacrifice• It wasn’t about keeping God happy

• It was about giving mankind a way of dealing with their baggage

• It was a way to get rid of our– Guilt

– Shame

– Feeling inadequate

• Is it really what God wanted?

God’s new way of sacrifice• Stop all that

sacrificing nonsense

• God was never bothered about it

• This is what it’s really about

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.

But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him — our sins!

He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.

Isaiah 53:4-5

Jesus’ death deals with our baggage

Our guilt

Our hang ups

Our pain

Our weakness

We have to ‘get hold’ of this• Jesus died for all, but we have to lay

hold of it for ourselves

• We can hand over baggage today

• it arrives at the cross 2000 years ago

• and it gets put to death

• and you go free today

Baggage

• Hurts• Guilt• Addictive behaviour / habits• Anger• Past relationships• Worry• Regrets• Unforgiveness• Selfishness• Feeling worthless• “Why did I do that?”• “How did I get here?”• “What is wrong with me?”

It’s a process• It can take time

• The baggage can appear again

• Keep letting go

• Keep giving it God

How do I respond?• Sacrifices were not about keeping

God happy – they’re about helping us

• Realise some of the baggage you’re carrying and how it holds you back

• Start giving the baggage to God