Dear Church,

Do you remember when you first saw Christ in the Old Testament? I don't. However, I do remember the first time I saw Christ in Leviticus! I was a young man, still attending Heath High School. I had been exposed to some national teachers and the Bible was opening to me in a new way. I was reading through Leviticus and came to the first nine verses of chapter 14. Boom! I saw Christ in every step of the preparation, sacrifice and release of those birds. Somehow, that changed my life forever. Leviticus 14: it's amazing how an obscure ancient ritual could be so alive in the (then) 20th century.

I am praying that as you read through the last half of Leviticus in these next weeks you will see both Christ and the loving heart of a Holy God.

The last half of verse 18 in chapter 19 is a key to much in the Kingdom. I hope it lives big in your heart. If by chance you go back to read those verses in chapter 14, and I hope you do, prayerfully consider every aspect of the ritual in light of the crucifixion of Christ.

Serving a Holy God with you,
Billy

Hints to Leviticus 14:1-9:

—Hebrews 13:12 (KJV 1900) 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Listen to the sermon here

Luke 24:27 27: And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

As I wake this morning, I am filled with anticipation of where the story of God is leading us in the days to come. Seeing how faithfully God worked in Joseph’s life deepens my faith that God has great plans for Himself through our lives as well. I thought it important to begin last night with Hebrews 11:1-6 and finish with verse 22: By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

The point being: Joseph never wavered in his trust of God. Even in death he knew that a greater blessing was coming for the people he had delivered. He saw God’s bigger promise to the world and knew he was part of it and that God cannot fail. I will remind you again, God is getting glory through your life as well. Unfortunately, I did not have time to expound on how clearly Christ was presented in the life of Joseph. My first thoughts this morning were about the robe soaked in blood. It made me think of Christ crucified and descended to hell only to miraculously return three days later.

Dear Church,

I am writing to make sure everyone is on the same track as we move into these next few months of study the Old Testament.

Reading the Story
First, Chad has sent out a reading schedule to take us through the historical section of the Old Testament. The reading may not always correspond with the teaching, but it will be within a week or two.

It is One Story!
Second, I want to reinforce the major purpose of this study through this portion of the Bible: Genesis through Esther covers the written history of Israel (Daniel is somewhat historical). When you read this history it is important to realize that it is one complete story. The later books are an absolute continuation of the former books. They only make sense when you read them together.

 Here is Billy's 1988 teaching on the cross. Some things never change.

This is our long-standing list of foundational "one another" verses from the New Testament; they have shaped and formed us for many years.

I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ
his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried:
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Our Monday night Old Testament Survey recordings are now available online, under the "Old Testament" link on the left hand menu.

If you would like to subscribe to the feed in iTunes, click "Advanced -> Subscribe to Podcast", and then paste: http://www.lcfellowship.com/OTfeed into the form.

Once again, LCF is meeting in an actual church building.  That's right, complete with stained glass windows and a balcony, Park United Methodist is our new home.  It is located close to campus on High Street close to Woodland Park and the guy's house.

As we are transitioning into a new building, we are wrapping up our study of Joshua.  Through our study of Exodus we learned much about God's delivering power toward His children.  We also learned about His disciplining work as He purifies us of our Egyptian ways.  In Joshua, we learned how to walk in victory and posses the land that God has given us.  We have also observed time and time again that it is important to press into God and walk in relationship with him whether we are wandering in the wilderness or victoriously entering the promised land.  Now as we conclude this study we must take these principles and be doers of the word and not hearers only.