Sitting around wringing your fingers, complaining is not going to get it.
Now granted, there are pressures in life that come on its own intense. We struggle all the way through it, but we struggle nonetheless. And so I come away with, and maybe you will too, that verse 58 is God saying, I'm not here looking to having a. Scorched earth approach. to things that aren't working out well.
We're looking for solutions. Here in the garment, If we can save it, we'll save it. But if not, then we have to take the other route. This is Cross-Reference Radio with our pastor and teacher, Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel, Mechanicsville.
Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Leviticus. Please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about Cross-Reference Radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching. And now here's Pastor Rick as he continues teaching through the book of Leviticus, chapter 13, on this edition of Cross-Reference Radio. The benefit as a Christian coming to this is okay. You know, if you're going through these kinds of things.
I'm not the first one. this person would have to implement faith and as we are called to do Also The friends and the loved ones, they would enter into the process. It'd be out of the hands of everyone. Just a matter of time. If the condition worsened, he'd be isolated another seven days, which would bring it up to twenty-one.
Then the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day. If the sore has faded and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean.
Now we skip the verse seven. But if the scab should at all spread over the skin after he has been seen by the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen by the priest again. Verse 8. And if the priest sees that the scab has indeed spread on the skin, Then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
Again, n Not Hansen's disease, but that would certainly be included In it. The lepers were unclean. And in reality they were just more visibly unclean. Because we are all sinners. Isaiah 64, verse 6, but we are all like an unclean thing.
and all our righteousness are like filthy rags.
Now, that humanist that will protest: well, the goodness, the innate goodness of man. Man is a sinner. And that goodness is a fragile goodness. and once it is set off it can become very ugly. This Spiritual allegory is what we're dealing with.
There is no Direct spiritual statement. in the Bible that leprosy is a picture of sin. It doesn't say See, leprosy is a parallel or a Metaphor for sin. But It doesn't have to be stated. The fact has to be there.
For it to become real, The word Trinity is not in the Bible, but the fact. revealed in other ways. We see the Holy Spirit worshipped and treated as equal with God. We see it in the Son. We see the Father.
So it emerges. and it cannot be overlooked. The Diagnosis of the Sin Condition The literal is replaced by modern methods. Dealing with skin conditions? But the spiritual applications are still carried out by the church.
And when you think through this in preparation, you say, should I repeat some of this? Does it make for boring listening?
Sometimes it does. But it's driven by the realization that somehow There are going to be those that will try to dodge it. You're telling them straight out. What is right or wrong? And they'll still act like they didn't hear it.
Thus repetition. How the Lord used repetition? Simon, Satan has asked for you. There's a train coming, Peter And right at you.
So When we read Leviticus thirteen, the parables emerge of this leprosy, for example. Verse 3, deeper than the skin. That's that. Parallel sin. It spreads.
Verse eight. It defiles. Verse 45. It isolates verse 46. It is fit only for the fire.
Because it is unsalvageable. Verses fifty two and fifty seven. You see that pattern? This leprosy behaves as though it were sin. That's the image that we're being given.
Leprosy is associated with Rebellious sin Both directly and indirectly. We'll take the indirect first. Moses. One. When God was calling Moses into public ministry He told him, Put your hand in your heart, Moses, because Moses, they won't listen to me.
How will they know? And he's like, I'll give you some signs to let you know that I'm on top of this. Why don't you put your hand on your heart?
So he puts his hand in his bosom and he pulls it out, and it's white. Again, we don't have to match that with Hansen's disease. That's not the point. Moses knew it was bad. is very bad.
And of course, he puts his hand back in his heart, and his hand is restored. And God is saying, you know, your heart is defective. It has all the characteristics. of physical leprosy in a spiritual way. Then there's Miriam.
Her insubordination led to her leprosy. She challenged the authority of Moses. The fact that he was her brother meant nothing. God was not playing nepotism. God shut that down.
She stayed out of the camp for a week. White as snow with leprosy. Then there was General Naaman. Took a man o' God to help him. You see the parallel with sin in all of these, the heart of Moses.
The insubordination of Miriam the need for a great prophet to help a leper, Then the Gehazai who took the leprosy Of Name it on him. Because of his sin. Took a prophet of God to scourge him with the leprosy. Then there's King Uzziah. He took the wrath of God, to stop him.
from his disobedience trying to offer on the golden incense offer That was reserved for the priests. No one was allowed to do that, not even a king.
So figuratively. Spiritual discernment. What pleases God and what does not. That's part of spiritual discernment. looking at something and knowing where to put it in the presence of God.
Not always enough to discern. You need more than that. One must act in accordance with God, as I've said. Let's go for some positive and negative verses to see it in the New Testament. 2 Thessalonian Paul speaking to that Fledgling church.
This is a new church. Not a year old yet. We command you. Remember, there are New Testament commandments, brethren. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. Treat him like a leper. Withdraw. Romans sixteen seventeen Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. When we get to the end of this, we find the the sentence of the leper is put out the camp.
Then there are Second Timothy chapter 2. discernment in the New Testament church, now the positive. and the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses. commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others discern who has got the stuff. To do the job.
Not just anybody. Because you like them or because of their profession. That's not enough. Here's another positive in Acts chapter 6. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
whom we may appoint over this business. The need to discern. Second Thessalonians, again, back to the negative. And if any one does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person, and do not keep company with him. that he may be ashamed.
Well, that's baked into that verse. If you want to run a parallel to Leviticus, it would be chapter 14. Shame him so he can snap out of it. Today we have an increase in people who are shameless. You can't shame them.
They're so into themselves. No matter what they're caught doing, Their conscience does not bother them. They feel justified and entitled. And when that happens, you have a heightened level of demonic activity because that's what the devil needs. There's the good soil, then there's an evil soil also.
and to sow on to that soil A self-centeredness that is harmful to everybody. is not from God. 1 Corinthians 15 is to be the last one for now. Do not be deceived evil company corrupts good habits. Sin spreads.
It will get you. Don't think, especially you youth, don't think you're going to be the exception. You're going to hang out with the bad boy or the bad girl and come out unscathed. That won't be the case. as the cops are putting the cuffs on you, or tasering you.
Isolation, dysfellowship. because of what will infect an entire congregation.
So, Pastor, are you willing to have a small church That is following hard after Jesus. Or do you want a bigger church? If you can get it by compromise, I'd be careful, because I'm not at all saying larger churches are all compromised. That wouldn't make any sense, because then who has the right to put the number on what a big church is, what a little church is? The fact is, are they trying to obey as you get larger?
It can get very difficult. A congregation. can continue To operate in the name of a church without being a church. The word church comes from that Greek word Lord.
so they can act as though they're under his lordship, but they're not. You say, where's that in the Scripture? Sardis? Ephesus, o' it can be done. It happens.
And so we come now to verses nine through seventeen. These deal with Apparently chronic skin conditions. Verse 9. When the leprous sore is on a person, then he shall be brought to the priest. And the priest shall examine him.
Now pause again.
Some of you May see the connection right away. But don't forget what I just read from James chapter 5. The priests were not out turning over stones and looking for trouble. The situation is brought to their attention. Then they have to act.
We've had people that, you know, were living in sin, not married, living together, but still married to somebody else. And flying under the radar until finally one day maybe their conscience b bites them so hard they blurt it out.
Well, what do you think we're gonna do with that? You know, with the law, if you threaten somebody in front of a sworn peace offer with bodily harm, he's supposed to arrest you. What are you supposed to do with that? Don't go rallying for the guilty unless you let leprosy creep out of them and creep into you also. It's just better to look for grace where you can apply it, but stand up for truth.
Back to verse 10. The priest shall examine him if the swelling on the skin is white, and it has turned The hair white, And there is a spot of raw flesh in the swelling, verse eleven. It is an old leprosy on the skin of his body. The priests shall pronounce him unclean. and shall not isolate him, for he is unclean.
the characteristic of sin A sin isolates. That the invasiveness, the persuasiveness, and that's the thing about sin. It is persuasive to the flesh, it's uncooperative. And it's relentless. disfellowship may be temporary.
or could be permanent. Verses eighteen through twenty-eight deal with skin infections. or afflictions that develop Following healings or burns. And you can read verses 18 through 28 if you. Really want to try to figure that out.
Of course. It's pretty straightforward. Verse twenty nine through verses thirty seven Deal with skin irritations on the scalp, face. Verse 29: If a man or a woman has a sore, On the head or the beard. That's why I'm.
telling you it is uh dealing with the scalp. and the face. Verse thirty-eight and thirty-nine. Again, dealing with the spots on the skin. without i indication of impurity.
Verse thirty eight, if a man or a woman has Bright spots on the skin. of the body S specifically White bright spots, verse 39, then the priest shall look, and indeed if the bright spots on the skin. of the body are dull white, it is a white spot that grows on the skin, he is clean. Vitaligo, you know, when the skin gets discolorations, you may have seen some. Folks with almost pinkish skin and dark skin on top.
Verses 40 through 44 deal with. Ball headed people.
So I'm really into this one 'cause this one talks about me right in verse 40. As for the man whose hair has fallen. From his head he is bald, but he is clean. That's me. And I say that almost every time I get out of the shower.
I am bald, but I am clean. Verse Hooky One I actually had a pastor friend say Hey. When you first met me. Hate it. You're out of Leviticus.
You're bald, but you're clean. You're look.
So, as they were loading him into the ambulance, I prayed for him. And asked if the police were going to show up. Verse forty one Whose hair has fallen from his head He is bald on the forehead, but is clean. Maybe alopecia, you know, partial baldness. We don't have to zero in on what exactly is he talking about.
We can just understand Not everything was a leprosy, but it had to be examined. Verse 42, and if There is on the bald head or bald forehead a reddish white sore. It is leprosy breaking out. Verse 43, then the priest shall examine it. And indeed if The swelling of the sore is reddish white.
on his bald head on his bald forehead. As the appearance of leprosy On the skin of the body. Elisha, who was bald, And he's happy these verses bring here. Verse 44: It is a lepros, he is a lepros man. He is unclean, The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean.
His sword is on his head. It's just straightforward, but in reality, you have real people, priests warrant. happy about this. It was hard for them to break the news. to uh someone who was deemed a leper.
Verses forty five and forty six. General Guidelines. Following the priest's diagnosis. And this is the one we should read, verse 45.
Now the leper on whom the sore is His clothes shall be torn, and his head bare. and he shall cover his moustache and cry unclean Verse 46, He shall be unclean all the days he has the sore. He shall be unclean, he is unclean, and he shall dwell alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp. They had to veil themselves, covering up the mustache area.
It was his or her responsibility. to inform people That they had to keep their distance. Jesus, of course, comes along and smacks all that down. Verses 47 through 59 are laws concerning leprosy garments. The invasive nature of sin is the idea that the mould and the mildew woven into the fabric Verse 47 also if a garment has a leprous plague in it is that word plague?
doesn't quite mean the same thing in the Hebrew, but It still gets us to where we need to go. Whether it is a woollen garment or a linen garment, whether it is verse forty-eight. in the warp or the woof. Of linen or wool whether in leather or in anything made of leather.
Now I had a dog, and I would monitor his woof. to see if there was a plague in it. Anyway. The warp is lengthwise and the woof is crosswise.
So the fabric woven together on a loom. If what they were identifying as a lepros plague got in there. There were instructions on how to deal with this. Verse 50: The priest shall examine the plague and isolate. That which has the plague seven days, verse fifty-one.
And he shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, Either in the warp or the woof. In the leather or in anything made of leather, The plague is an act of leprosy, it is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment. in which Is the plague weather wortwoof?
In wool linen. or anything of leather, For it is an act of leprosy. the garment shall be burned in the fire.
So there's no recovery. The sin can reach a point. of no recovery. When the person becomes irretrievable, Judas Iscariot became irretrievable. Satan has filled your heart.
Go do what you must do. And he went out, and the Bible says, and it was night. That little detail Means it was dark outside. And it's very symbolic of The heart of Judas? The heart of the world.
and what the Lord was about to be dealing with on the cross. We did fifty through fifty-two. We can skip over. Fifty three through fifty six, we come to fifty seven. We don't have to renovate skip fifty-seven.
We should 'cause we've got so much time left. Yeah. We're at fifty eight. Leviticus thirteen, verse fifty eight. and if you wash the garment, Either warp or warp.
or whatever is made of leather. If the plague has disappeared from it, Then it shall be washed a second time, and shall be clean. If it could be washed out. of the material Then it was not a persistent contaminating problem, leprosy. What I come away with in all of this is God wants Victorious Solutions I've been working and having a A lot of success recently with And I'm just going to stop complaining.
And just take it. And it actually has been very liberating. I did this years ago and I kind of lost sight of it. Instead of complaining, can I find a solution for this? No.
So then, why am I complaining? This is what I'm processing in my head: God wants a solution. Sitting around wringing your fingers, complaining is not going to get it.
Now, granted, there are pressures in life that come on us so intense we struggle all the way through it, but we struggle nonetheless. And so I come away with, and maybe you will too, That verse 58 is God saying, I'm not here looking to having a Scorched earth approach the things that aren't working out well. We're looking for solutions. Here in the garment, If we can save it, we'll save it. But if not, then we have to take the other route.
In verse fifty nine, This is the law of the leprous plague in a garment. of wool or linen, either in the warp of the wolf, or in anything made of leather, to pronounce it clean, Or to pronounce it unclean.
So the repetition, as I mentioned, how many times the word pronounced is unclean. Spoken 19 times. How many times the word clean and unclean are spoken? Because there's teaching in that repetition, so it makes for hard reading. But a good lesson.
The destruction by fire was the only remedy for some contaminated items, and that's the story with mankind. And you look at what some people think in this world and you say, man, if they continue on that course If that evil continues to spread from their heart The fires of hell is the only thing that can They got a face. Sin harasses every good thing. But he said, Don't put your treasure where moth and rust can get to, because it. Sin's gonna be looking to take whatever gains you make in life.
Which is kind of an annoying thing about the stock market, isn't it? It goes up, it goes down. You lose, you get something. You get two steps forward. Um one and a half backwards.
And it's just why can't it all just be forward? Why does somebody have to mess it up? I just notice these things. And I know some people who Encourage you, you know. You should use the stock market.
and saying, you know, my mattress is just fine. It'd be a hard sleep because there's nothing under it, and I'd be worried all night. Why don't I have money under my mattress? Anyway, back to this Jesus not. Turning away, he said.
A leper that approaches him, and there's another part of the story. You know, we come to the priest, Luke chapter 17, our high priest, verse 12. As he entered a certain village There met him ten men who were lepers who stood afar off, and they were saying, Unclean, unclean. Nine of those lepers were Jews one was a Samaritan. and of course he cleansed them all.
And only the one came back to say thank you. If we as Christians pray with someone about.
some pressing need and God answers our prayer. The onus is on us to come back and thank the Lord because He recognizes those who are in greats. Man, my life was messed up by leprosy like this, and all of a sudden I was cleansed and restored. I think I'd be looking for that person. to thank them.
Who doesn't come back and say thank you? That's what Jesus was asking. Weren't there 10 of you? What was the other nine? And they're Jews too, aren't they?
They know the law.
Next chapter is the law of the cleansing of the leper. Then the day of atonement for chapter 15. And then we do some other stuff. In Leviticus. Let's pray.
How father As always, clear and to the point. A little repetition, Lord, but We're built for it. We can handle it. We pray that whatever lessons Yeah Put in fun of us that We would take advantage of of it. Whatever things you just brought to our memory or recall, we thank you for that.
And whatever things are still a little foggy and unclear, may your Holy Spirit Guide us into all truth. We ask that we would get home safely tonight. We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Yeah.
Thank you. Thanks for tuning in to today's edition of Cross Reference Radio. Pastor Rick Gaston is currently going through the book of Leviticus. We're glad you joined us. We trust that you're gaining some valuable insights into God's Word as we go through this Old Testament book.
Cross-Reference Radio comes to you from Calvary Chapel, Mechanicsville, in Virginia. If you'd like to subscribe to our podcast, you can do so by going to your favorite app store and downloading from there. For any additional information about this ministry, we invite you to visit our website, crossreference radio.com. Make sure to come back again for the upcoming edition in the book of Leviticus, as Pastor Rick has much more to share. We thank you for being with us right here on Cross Reference Radio.
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