Bible Text: Leviticus 1-7 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship

— Pastor Lou’s Notes —

Intro: If I ask the following question this morning, how would you respond? What makes a diamond beautiful? I am not a diamond expert, but I know that the cut, clarity, and facets of a diamond make it brilliant. A jeweler would use a bright light to expose the brilliance of the diamond and all the facets.

I would like to suggest to you this morning that when we examine the perfect gem from God, the flawless sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, we begin to see Him and His love for us in all perfect brilliance. Each of the 5 main sacrifices described in Leviticus 1-7 gives us insight into the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. He sacrificed Himself because He loves us!

1. Christ’s Sacrifice Shows His Perfect Commitment Lev. 1:1-9
1. Christ offered His whole perfect self
1. Heart, mind, and will
1. On the cross He suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually

2. His entire self was presented on the alter of the cross
1. Hebrews 10:9: 8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”a—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”b He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holyc through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Heb 10:8–10.
2. He was perfect, unblemished
1. He could take on our sin and make atonement through His sacrifice so that we can be made right with God.

2. The Burnt Offering was offered as the first sacrifice of the day and offered to all
1. This set the foundation for the rest of the sacrifices
1. Application for us in our daily lives: In view of God’s great mercy and grace through Jesus Christ, we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God in all we do e.g. Romans 12:1-2
1. This is our logical response to the love, grace, and perfection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. God’s grace makes the benefits of the sacrifice of Christ available to all
1. Race, ethnicity, economic status, or any other barrier breaks down at the cross

3. His Sacrifice Was Put on Display For All to See
1. Just like a diamond, he was examined by the authorities
1. They found no flaw in Him
2. The Pharisees had to make up false charges to try to do away with Jesus
3. Jesus, the perfect Lamb was put on display for all to see
4. Jesus’ resurrection was God’s certification of Jesus’ perfect gem, His sacrifice of love on the cross of Calvary
1. Illustration: “Perfect” and valuable diamonds are periodically put on display for all to see if they choose
1. The sacrifice of Christ is infinitely more valuable the the most perfect flawless diamond in the world!