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Offering Profane Fire
Sermonette by Craig SablichIn the context of worship that deviates from divine instruction, the concept of 'Fire, Profane' emerges as a stark warning. In Leviticus chapter 10 verse 1, Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. They were not mocking God nor rejecting Him, and likely believed their intentions were good. Yet, they chose to worship Him in their own way, disregarding His clear instructions by using fire not taken from the altar as He had strictly commanded. This act revealed a careless, even arrogant disregard for His Holiness. Consequently, fire came out from the Lord and consumed them. The lesson is clear: God determines how He is to be worshiped, and good intentions are not sufficient when they contradict His commands.
The Holy and the Profane
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod's concern for what is profane, meaning against or far from the temple and true worship of Him, is evident in His severe judgments. He killed Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, for offering profane fire, which originated from human effort rather than divine causation. This act of using fire not sanctioned by God demonstrates the gravity of profaning what He has designated as holy. God's seriousness is further shown in His warnings and punishments, emphasizing that to disregard His definitions of acceptable and unacceptable is to disregard Him.
Profanity (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist's blood makes us holy; we are a new creation, having an intimate relationship with God. We need to change our behavior to reflect this new status.
Examples of Divine Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira, and Uzzah, all aware of the penalties for their actions, rebelled against God's clear and unambiguous instructions.
Presumption and Divine Justice (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible reveals a pattern of God's displeasure with presumption. God's justice always aligns with His righteousness, but He often acts in mercy.
Living By Faith: God's Justice
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn order to live by faith, we must understand God's sovereignty, God's character, and God's justice, realizing that we do not see the entire picture.
Prayer and the Incense Altar
Sermon by Kim MyersWe have much work to do as saints, sending up incense symbolically as we pray for each other and for God's purpose to be fulfilled universally.
The Priesthood of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our responsibility as a royal priesthood and a kingdom of priests is to become holy as God is holy, exceeding the holiness of the Levitical priesthood.
Living by Faith and God's Justice
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAmong the spiritual realities that a faithful Christian must understand is God's sense of justice. The deaths of Nadab and Abihu are a case in point.
Approaching God Through Christ (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe one who comes before God must be pure in body and mind. The priests had to wash themselves from a bronze laver, midway between the altar and the entrance.
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe bronze altar, made with the censers from the rebels, was a reminder of the folly of rebelling against holy things, replacing God's standards with human ones.
Approaching God Through Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe brazen altar symbolized total sacrifice. We have to be willing to give up everything, bearing our own individual cross, forsaking all to follow Him.
Could You Be Struck Dead?
Sermon by Martin G. Collinsthe deaths of Ananias, Saphira, Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah all occurred at a pivotal time of change, a time God desired to get the attention of all people.