The Day of Atonement | Leviticus 16 – DFBC

The Day of Atonement | Leviticus 16

Dr. Miguel Lopez

August 10, 2025

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What is our greatest national problem? Answers to this question are as varied as people in our nation. For some the economy is top priority, for others social justice, world peace, climate change, etc. In contrast with our modern preoccupation, once a year, the whole nation of Israel was instructed to stop all activity and focus on God’s greatest provision for their greatest problem- the sacrificial substitutionary atonement to take away their sins. Sin and sacrifice are not at the top of any political agenda now adays but they are still at the top of God’s priorities. In this message we will discover why we cannot be restored externally unless we are redeemed internally.

When the impurity of God’s people seems to overwhelmingly alienate them from God and his covenant blessings, what does God do to restore them to the wholeness of his life-giving presence?

To restore his people to the wholeness of his life-giving presence, God…

I. Confronts them with their personal need and impotence – A change of mind from proud presumption to gratitude for God’s gracious provision: the rite of entrance (Lev. 16:1-5, 12-14; cf. Heb. 5:1-3).

II. Pays the price of their forgiveness through a sacrificial substitute – Propitiation and reconciliation: the rite of cleansing (Lev. 16:3, 5, 11-19; cf. Heb. 9:11-14).

III. Promises to finally remove and defeat evil, sending it back to where it all began: the rite of riddance (Lev. 16:5, 7-10, 20-22; cf. Col. 2:13-15).

IV. Joyfully accepts us and our worship as pleasing to him: concluding rites (Lev. 16:24-31, cf. John 1:29, Heb. 13:10-15).

Don’t take sin lightly.

Good people don’t go to heaven,

For none of us is good.

Forgiven people do.

1. There is no forgiveness without repentance. Have you repented of your sins yet?

2. There is no forgiveness without restitution. Because the wages of sin is death either you pay it or Christ pays it. He died for us so that we don’t have to die.

3. One day Christ will finally defeat Satan and evil once and for all. When he fights against evil, what side will you be on?

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