The day of atonement (Yom Kippur)

1. Yom Kippur calls people to humbly return to God!

A. Pesach, the Feast of Passover, points to our redemption from sin!
B. Matza, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is about our sanctification to holiness!
C. Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, began the harvest of new souls in God's Church!
D. Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, commences the gathering to worship!
E. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, pictures our ultimate atonement by Jesus!

II. Yom Kippur confesses our broken union with God!

*Repeated "covering" of sins each year shows our need of forgiveness!

  1. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement" (Leviticus 17:11).
  2. The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).
  3. No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him - for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever - that he should live on eternally, that he should not undergo decay (Psalm 49:7-9).

III. Yom Kippur confirms our restored union with God!

*Jesus alone restores our broken relationship as we are justified by faith!

  1. Read Zechariah 12:9-11; 13:8 and Romans 11:25-27 for remnant Israel's future!
  2. Read Hebrews 9:11-14 to see how only Jesus has obtained eternal redemption!
  3. "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time" (Acts 3:19-21).
  4. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, August 11th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"The day of atonement (Yom Kippur)"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Experiencing true forgiveness is essential in our spiritual growth. Have people share their personal testimonies including what their life was like before knowing Jesus, how they came to trust in Jesus, and what life is like after knowing Jesus.

Getting Started:

  1. What are some superstitious rituals that people have practiced to appease their guilty consciences before God?
  2. Why do you think God established such detailed practices of Yom Kippur sacrifices done by the high priest every year?

Discussing Truths:

  1. What is the difference between ?covering? one?s sins through the blood of bulls and goats (Hebrews 9:11-14) and the "canceling out" all our transgressions through the cross (Colossians 2:13-15)?
  2. Why is humility essential in enjoying real justification of our sins?
  3. How was the veil before the Holy of Holies, in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, entered by the high priest?
  4. What is the "fullness of the Gentiles" referring to before God saves all the remnant of Israel (Romans 11:25-27)?
  5. Why did Jesus have to die to restore our union with a holy God (Romans 6:23)?
  6. One day we will have perfect harmony and spiritual intimacy with our Lord face to face, but until then, what can we do to draw closer to Jesus (1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:1-3)?

Now What? Application:

  1. Don't try to manage your guilt and shame, but make sure you enjoy God's love and forgiveness by grace through faith (Psalm 32:1-5).
  2. How will you prepare your heart and change your life to be rewarded at the Bema seat of Christ?