Temple Baptist Church - 2-16-2014
Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7
Introduction:
A. The first thing that the Jews saw when they entered the outer court of the Tabernacle was a horrific sight: the Brazen altar!
1. They could no doubt smell the blood being shed during the heat of the desert day. I remember well going to the outdoor market place in Mexico and smelling the blood and raw meat as it hung in the open. I have been to the slaughter houses on several occasions here in the states and the smell of blood was strong.
2. They could no doubt hear the fearful bleating of the sheep, bulls, and goats that were ready to be offered. Animals do not like the smell of blood and it struck fear in the hearts of these animals who were to be slaughtered.
3. They could no doubt smell the smoke and scent of burning flesh as the sacrifices were consumed upon the altar.
B. The Brazen Altar was a “wake up call!”
1. It was a place of realization of the reality of sin.
2. It was a place of realization of the holiness and judgment of God.
3. It was a place of realization of the penalty and consequences of sin.
4. It was a place of realization that the innocents were dying for the guilty ones.
C. The Brazen Altar was not a place of joyfulness.
1. There was no singing there because it was a place of sadness.
2. There was no shouting there because it was a place of solemnity.
3. It was a solemn place filled with a mixture of emotions:
a) Remorse and repentance for their sinfulness.
b) Sadness for the death of the innocents (they were shepherds and loved their animals).
c) Yet, gladness because God gave atonement through sacrifice until the Lamb of God would come to take away the sin of the world.
D. Four great doctrines are illustrated here at the Brazen altar:
1. The doctrine of Atonement. Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
2. The doctrine of Redemption. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
3. The doctrine of Justification. Romans 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
4. The doctrine of Positional Sanctification. Hebrews 10:10, 14 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all … For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
E. The Brazen Altar was a beautiful type of Calvary and the Cross of Christ.
1. Its makeup was of brass. Brass in the Bible is always a type of judgment. We find the use of altars throughout the Old Testament beginning in the early days of Genesis where sin was judged. Sin has a terrible consequence and its wage continues to be death in our day. Sin was judged at Calvary.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2. Its sacrifice was propitiatory. It was a place where the innocent died for the guilty. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, took our place at Calvary.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3. Its message was grace. The number 5, in bible numerology, is the number of grace. Its length was 5 cubits, its breadth was 5 cubits. These speak of double or abundant grace. Grace has never been made more clear and available than at Calvary.
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
4. Its implication was power. There were 4 our horns on the Brazen Altar, one on each corner of the top of it. These “horns” are a type of power. There was the power of the blood to cleanse; there was the power of the blood to save; there was the power found in the 4 horns, one in each direction, to save all of mankind as Christ die for all. His grace stretches to the four ends of the earth.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
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