Lev 7, 8

Interesting that even the alter had to be atoned for (v15) signifying that nothing that is made by man can measure up to the holiness of God without being purified by God.
The consecration of Aaron and his sons followed this pattern:
1. annointing oil to consecrate
2. bull of the sin offering for forgiveness
3. ram of the burnt offering for worship
4. ram of ordination
5. unleavedned bread as wave offering
6. annointing oil to consecrate.

BUT N.B.
THE LORD ORDAINS - NOT MAN (v33)

Mark 3

The Pharisees were more concerned that the letter of the law be kept rather than the intent (vv4-6).
Jesus reputation went before him such that people cam eexpecting miracles (v10) But why did he tell the demons not to declare whom he was? Was it that the time had not yet come for the Son fo God to be revealed?
vv13-34 denotes spiritual family - Jesus gathered the 12: declares unity else the house will fall - then calls his followers mother and brothers.

KEYPOINTS:
1. Right at the beginning of his ministry the Pharisees began plotting against Jesus
EXPECT RESISTANCE FROM THE START
2. The opponents were from the same community
EXPECT RESISTANCE FROM CHRISTIANS
3. The eraly believers strength came from unity
HEAVILY PROMOTE SPIRITUAL FAMILY

Lev 5, 6

v17 Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

KEYPOINTS:
SIN IS SIN whether we know of it or not. When I am in a new country and walk across the road and the police fine me, I have no choice in the matter. I cannot plead ignorance because I am guilty of breaking the law of the land. In the same way justice must be served by a just God. All things come back to 'His Name's Sake'.

Mark 2

* The scribes were there listening to Jesus (v6)
* Jesus was in the presense of sinners, not apart from them (v16)
* "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (v27)
Interestingly both the srighteous scribes and the sinners sought out Jesus. This chapter deals with
1) RECONSILIATION - righteous/unrighteous - God/man (forgiveness of sins)
2) LIBERATION - law is to set free
- fasting (v19)
- sabbath (v27)
3)LORDSHIP - authority (v10)
- Lord od the sabbath (v28)

KEYPOINTS:
We have a mandate for dominion. If we start to live our lives like we are heirs of the king and inheritors of the earth then people will come to us. However we should be willing to be seen in the presence of both sinners and the so called righteous. The risk for us us to be seen in the presence of the elite while neglecting the lessor.

Ex 37, 38

What is remarkable is the precision and order with which construction of the tabernacle, ark and all their elements proceeded. It is a refelction of the 'order' with which God works. Additionally no expense was spared and each of the crastmen was the best in his trade. The result of order, precision, expense and expertise was excellence!

KEYPOINTS:
1) As we build, it must be to God's order and design.
2) What we build must be the best, built by the best, with no compromise.
3) The end result of all we do must be excellence.

MATT 26

THE LAST SUPPER, BETRAYAL & ARREST OF JESUS
reference to Old Testament scripture:
* to the disciples vv31, 54
* to the crowd v56
* to the scribes/elders v64

Jesus prepared both himself and the disciples by refering back to scriptures and turning to God. Whilst he was tempted to circumvent God's design (v39) he neither let himself (vv39, 42) or his followers (v52-54) to do this. Interestingly he never denied the false charges brought against him, prefering to remain silent. In contrast Peter denied the true accusations against himself.

KEYPOINTS:

1) Go with God's flow - don't try to fast track, circumvent or do it in my way (cf. Ex20:25)
2) "Never defend yourself" - A.W.Tozer