Bible Text: Leviticus 3 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship

— Pastor Lou’s Notes —
Intro: Over the past several months, there have been a growing number of terrorist attacks in Europe. Over the past year or so, there have been some “lone wolf” terror attacks in our own country. Murders in many of our own cities continue to increase. Why does peace seem to elude us? What is the problem? What is the solution?

As the world continues to try to suppress or eliminate God and His Christ, the possibilities of peace, real peace, continues to elude mankind. I fear the definition of the word “peace” may be far from the biblical definition. Peace is not just the absence of conflict, although it is an element of peace. Peace is not the feeling you experience when everything is going well. Peace has everything to do with when there is no conflict between us and God. The only way true and lasting peace can happen is through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are several reasons by Christ is our peace:

We Have Peace Because the Barrier of Sin Was Removed Lev. 3 & Lev. 7
Jesus gives us the first fruits of real peace the moment be trusted in Him as Lord and Savior
The cross bridged the infinite gap that was created by our sin against God
The gap is bridged once we exercise faith and repentance
There can be no forgiveness without the shedding of the blood of an acceptable sacrifice
There can be no forgiveness without repentance and faith
We Have Fellowship and Communion With Jesus
For the believer, sin that is not sincerely confessed disrupts fellowship with God
John 1:9 give us the assurance that because of the cross of Christ, we can have our fellowship with Him restored.
This ought to produce in us a spirit of thanksgiving for our fellowship and communion with Christ
This ought to be our greatest source of real peace
We Need to Be Feast on Christ and His Word for Spiritual Strength
Note, the sacrifice was eaten in fellowship
The best of the offering given to God
The rest of the offering was eaten in thanksgiving by the priest, the worshiper and his family
There was an unseen guest here, the Lord Jesus Christ
Isn’t this the picture of our communion table?
What is our attitude with which we come to the Lord’s Table
Distracted? Hiding sin in our lives? Ritual that has lost its meaning and significance?
When was the last time we let the Word of God and the Holy Spirit examine our hearts?

Closing: Let me illustrate. We need a peace with depth, not a superficial peace that the world offers. I would like you to imagine a hurricane over the ocean. While there is chaos above the surface, the deeper waters are calm and the fish are peaceful. In Christ, you and I can experience peace with depth, peace that surpasses all human understand. We need to abide deeply in Christ through the storms, trials, and tribulations of life.

In 1 Corinthians 11:17-27, Paul gives us instructions for our communion with Him and one another. Please allow me to read that passage.