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It is Done! The Perfect Peace of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIn the peace offering, Christ is the priest, offeror, and offering. Since all parties share the peace offering as a meal, it exemplifies a peaceful communion.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe numerous figures of speech describing God's body parts substantiate that God has shape and form and occupies a specific location.
Holy Days: Passover
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughGod initiates communion with mankind by calling certain individuals out of a world separated from Him since Adam and Eve's disobedience, which created an unbridgeable gulf to the Tree of Life. He redeems them from this world's grip, makes peace with them through covenant, and teaches them His way of life, thereby taking the first steps toward ever-closer fellowship with Himself and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Passover symbolizes this gracious initiative, reminding participants of the relationship God establishes and sustains. He commands its perpetual observance as a festival, not merely as a memorial of redemption from bondage but as a celebration of peaceful, secure fellowship modeled on the peace offering. In this observance the blood of the lamb signifies the life given to purchase and restore those within the household, while the shared meal underscores favor and unity rather than atonement for sin. Jesus Christ observed the Passover in perfect obedience to the command and set the example for His followers by washing the disciples' feet to demonstrate humble service. He further instructed them to partake of unleavened bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, instituting the New Testament Passover as a yearly memorial of His death that affirms ongoing fellowship, love, peace, and joy with the Father and one another. This annual observance remains essential, for Jesus Christ states that eating His flesh and drinking His blood represented in these symbols is necessary to possess life and inherit eternal life. The apostles continued and taught this practice to both Jews and Gentiles, ensuring that the true church maintains the Passover until His return, when those redeemed through His sacrifice will share fully in the eternal communion He makes possible.
Passover: An Extraordinary Peace Offering
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Passover sacrifice is basically unconnected with atonement, but represents the peace and security which attends fellowship with God because of His acceptance.
The Bread and Wine of Passover
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Passover reminds us of the New Covenant on the anniversary of the Abrahamic covenant God using the original elements of the meal between Melchizedek and Abraham.
Was Jesus Christ's Body Broken? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeChrist's body was not broken, and the bread of Passover, broken so it can be shared, is a symbol of being joined to His sinless life rather than death.
Offerings and Sacrificing
Sermonette byAn offering is a gift given to God. The Bible clearly shows that the requirement for the offering was in force at the time of Adam and Eve.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Six): The Sin Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus' perfect offering of Himself for us fulfilled the sin offering of Leviticus 4. Our acceptance of His offering for atonement puts us under obligation.
Offerings (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe give peace offerings today through living sacrifice, keeping God's law out of love and to glorify Him rather than just to perform duty.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Four): The Peace Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace (or thank) offering was the most commonly given in ancient Israel. It pictures God, the priest, and the offerer in satisfying fellowship.
An Unpayable Debt and Obligation
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWhen God calls us and redeems us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we suddenly come under obligation—a debt we cannot pay but overshadows all we do.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe peace offering teaches many things, but one of its main symbols is fellowship. Our communion with the Father and the Son obligates us to pursue peace.
Psalm 51 (Part Three): Psalm 51:5-12
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs physical filth repulses the senses, sin ought to repulse the spirit. David's repentance depicts total immersion in sin and the critical need for God's cleansing.
Love and Fellowship
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFellowship with God is the only antidote to overwhelming feelings of despair, doubt, and self-condemnation.
Offerings (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe peace offering symbolizes the abundant life that results from complete devotion to God (the burnt offering) and service to others (the meal offering).