1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto

you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (KJV)

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we

lie, and do not the truth: (KJV)

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have

fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is

not in us. (KJV)

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our

sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word

is not in us. (KJV)

WE ARE PRESENTLY LIVING UNDER THE BLESSINGS AND PROVISIONS OF THE NEW COV-

ENANT THAT WAS RATIFIED FOR US THROUGH THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST. TO

CUT COVENANT HAS REFERENCE TO THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD IN THE SACRIFICES THAT WERE

PRESENTED IN THE COVENANT RITUAL. JESUS CHRIST HAS SHED HIS BLOOD FOR THE RE-

MISSION OF OUR SINS. WE LEARN HERE IN 1JN.1:9 THAT THERE IS A TWO-FOLD PRO-

VISION OF GRACE FOR ALL THOSE WHO, IN HONESTY AND SINCERITY, CONFESS THEIR

PERSONAL SINS TO GOD: HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO PROVIDE FORGIVENESS AND CLEAN-

SING FROM PERSONAL SIN. THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE PROVISIONS, FORGIVENESS AND

CLEANSING. THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN TO SHARE WITH YOU THE IMPORTANCE

OF THE CLEANSING OF PERSONAL SINS BUT BEFORE I DO I WANT TO DEFINE THE GRACE OF

GOD. SOMEONE ONCE SIAD THAT WE SHOULD NEVER LOOK AT OUR SINS OR THE SINS OF

OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD.

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us

accepted in the beloved. (KJV)

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace; (KJV)

2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was

rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty

might be rich. (KJV)

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it

is the gift of God: (KJV)

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is

in Christ Jesus: (KJV)

Romans 3:25 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; (KJV)

Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be

just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (KJV)

Romans 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when

there is no law. (KJV)

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that

had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is

the figure of him that was to come. (KJV)

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the

offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the

gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto

many. (KJV)

Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the

judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many

offences unto justification. (KJV)

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they

which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness

shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (KJV)

THE GRACE OF GOD CAN BE DEFINED AS GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL, UNMERITED AND UN-

EARNED FAVOR. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS NOT BASED ON OUR EFFORT TO KEEP THE

10 COMMANDMENTS BUT TO ACCEPT BY FAITH THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS FULFILLED ALL THE

CONDITIONS OF THE LAW FOR US AND NOW OFFERS TO US A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER

AS A FREE GIFT OF GRACE. WE ARE TOLD IN ISA.59:1-2 THAT OUR SINS HAVE SEPARATED

US FROM GOD AND HE CAN NO LONGER RELATE TO US AS HIS CHILDREN. THERE IS A BAR-

RIER OR A CHASM OF SIN THAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD. JESUS HAS COME TO REMOVE THE

SIN SO THAT WE COULD EXPERIENCE INTIMACY WITH THE FATHER. THE DIFFERENCE BE-

TWEEN RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY IS THAT RELIGION IS MAN'S EFFORT TO REACH GOD

AND CHRISTIANITY IS GOD'S PROVISION FOR MAN TO ENTER INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH

HIM BASED ON GRACE.

1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ

Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (KJV)

1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus

Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them

which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (KJV)

ALL WHO COME TO CHRIST WILL COME TO HIM AS SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE. OUR JUDI-

CIAL STANDING BEFORE GOD IS ONE OF COMPLETE RIGHTEOUSNESS. GOD SEES US,UNDER THE

BLOOD COVERING OF CHRIST, AS RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY AS WE SHALL EVER BE. NOW THE

ACTUAL CONDITION OR STATE OF OUR BEING IS THAT WE ARE SINNERS. GOD HAS MADE A

WONDERFUL PROVISION FOR SIN IN OUR LIVES, NOT THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE IN SIN BUT

WHEN WE STUMBLE AND FALL UNDER THE PRESSURE OF TEMPTATION THERE IS A PROVISION

FOR FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING CALLED SANCTIFICATION.

1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,

and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (KJV)

2 Thes 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren

beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you

to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the

truth: (KJV)

2 Thes 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory

of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

1 Pet 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through

sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the

blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own

blood, suffered without the gate. (KJV)

1 Thes 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your

whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR ASPECTS TO SANCTIFICATION, IT IS BOTH INTERNAL AND EX-

TERNAL IN ITS SIGNIFICANCE. OUTWARDLY, SANCTIFICATION IS SEPARATION FROM SIN

AND DEDICATION TO GOD. INWARDLY, SANCTIFICATION CALLS FOR PURIFICATION FROM THE

CANTAMINATION AND DEFILEMENT OF SIN. THE OUTWARD ASPECT OF GRACE IS PROVIDED

BY THE ATONING WORK OF CHRIST AT CALVARY; THE INWARD ASPECT OF SACTIFICATION IS

THE RESULT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK IN OUR LIVES.

TO SACTIFY LITERALLY MEANS TO CLEANSE, TO PURIFY AND TO MAKE HOLY. WE ARE

ALL IN THIS PROCESS OF SACTIFICATION AND THE BIBLE HAS MADE PROVISION FOR THIS

PROCESS TO WORK IN EACH OF OUR LIVES.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE AGENT OF SACTIFICATION & NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE

CONFESSION OF PERSONAL SIN THROUGH CONVICTION WROUGHT BY THE WORD OF GOD. HE IS

NOT DEALING WITH US IN REGARDS TO ALL OF OUR SINS BUT ONLY SPECIFIC ONES THAT

ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PROCESS OF SANCTITFICATION THAT THE FATHER IS PRESENTLY

WORKING ON IN OUR LIVES. IN OTHER WORDS, GOD IS NOT DEALING WITH ALL OF OUR

SINS AT ONCE--MANY OF THEM HE HAS NOT CONVICTED US OF OR WE ARE LIVING IN DENIAL

OF THOSE AREAS OF SIN OR WE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW THEM. WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE SINS?

IS THERE AN ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR COVERING THOSE SINS APART FROM CONFESSING

EACH OF THEM TO GOD. OUR BEGINNING TEXT IN 1JN.1:9 GIVES US A LEGAL

PROVISION FOR THESE SINS. IF WE CONFESS THE SINS THAT THE HOLY

SPIRIT IS CONVINCING US OF, GOD IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO NOT ONLY FORGIVE US FOR

THOSE SPECIFIC SINS BUT ALSO TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS INCLUDING

THOSE SINS THAT WE DON'T KNOW TO CONFESS. THE PROCESS OF SACTIFICATION IS ABLE

TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN OUR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS PROVISION IN THE NEW COVENANT

OTHERWISE ANY UNCONFESSED SIN WOULD SEPARATED US FROM GOD AND FROM THE HOLY

SPIRIT WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FINISH THE WORK OF SACTIFICATION IN OUR LIVES.

AS I HAVE STATED EARLIER, NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO BE FORGIVEN FOR OUS SINS

BUT WE NEED TO BE CLEANSED FROM OU SIN. LET ME ILLUSTRATE THIS BY THE LITTLE

STORY I TOLD YOU LAST WEEK. A FAMILY IS GETTING READY FOR CHURCH AND SO THE

MOTHER GIVES HER LITTLE 4 YEAR OLD SON A BATH AND DRESSES HIM UP AND SETS HIM

IN FRONT OF THE TV WHILE SHE GOES TO GET READY HERSELF. WELL, THE LITTLE BOY

IS DISTRACTED BY SOMETHING OUTSIDE AND HE GOES TO INVESTIGATE IT. IN THE PRO-

CESS HE FALLS DOWN IN THE MUD AND WIPES OFF HIS HANDS ON THE FRONT OF HIS PANTS

AND SCRATCHES HIS NOSE AND BRUSHES THE HAIR OUT OF HIS EYES. BY NOW HE IS COV-

ERED WITH DIRT FROM THE TOP OF HIS HEAD TO HIS TOES. THINKING NOTHING OF IT

HE GOES AND SITS BACK DOWN AND WATCHES TV. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MOM IS NOT A LITTLE

UPSET WITH HIM BUT SHE FORGIVES HIM. NOW, BEFORE THEY CAN GO TO CHURCH SHE HAS

TO CLEAN HIM AND DRESS HIM ALL OVER AGAIN. SO WHEN WE CONFESS OUR SINS GOD CAN

AND WILL FORGIVE US BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE CLEANSED FROM OUR SIN.

1. SIN STILL HAS THE POTENTIAL OF SEPARATING US FROM GOD AND GOD FROM US.

IF WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPEIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR

LIVES IN INCREASING MEASURE THEN SIN AND ITS DEFILEMENTS MUST BE

CLEANSED AND REMOVED.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it

cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot

hear: (KJV)

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and

your God, and your sins have hid his face from you,

that he will not hear. (KJV)

2. SIN IS DEFINED BY JAMES AS SOMETHING THAT IS ORGANIC BY NATURE OR SOME-

THING THAT IS LIVING. WHEN LUST HAS CONCEIVED IT BRINGS FOR SIN AND

WHEN SIN IS FINISHED IT BRINGS FORTH DEATH. WE MIGHT SAY THAT TEMPTA-

TION TO SIN IS LIKE A LIVING VIRUS, UNLESS WE WASH AND ARE CLEANSED FROM

THE DEFILEMNT OF SIN WE CAN BE CONTAMINATED BY THAT VIRUS AND CONTINUE

TO SIN IN THAT AREA OF OUR LIVES.

Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he

any man: (KJV)

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his

own lust, and enticed. (KJV)

Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:

and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS A PATTERN OF GOOD THINGS TO COME

AND POINTS US TO CHRIST AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW COVENANT. NOT ONLY IS

THERE AN OLD TESTAMENT TYPE FOR FORGIVNESS THERE IS ALSO AN O.T. TYPE FOR

SPIRITUAL CLEANSING:

Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass,

to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the

congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

Exodus 30:19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet

thereat: (KJV)

Exodus 30:20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall

wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the

altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

Exodus 30:21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not:

and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his

seed throughout their generations. (KJV)

THIS IDEA OF CLEANSING IS TAKEN FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT WHERE GOD INSTRUCTED

MOSES TO MAKE A BRAZEN LAVER IN WHICH THE PRIESTS WOULD WASH THEIR HANDS AND

FEET BEFORE THEY ENTERED INTO THE HOLY PLACE TO MAKE SACRIFICE UPON THE BURNT

ALTAR. THIS LAVER CONTAINED SPECIALLY PREPARED WATER FOR THE WASHING A BATHING

OF THE PRIESTS FOR RITUAL UNCLEAN CONDITIONS AND FROM THE PURIFICATION OF SIN.

UNCLEANESS IN THE O.T. IS SYMBOLIC OF SPIRITUAL UNCLEANESS IN THE N.T. AND ESP-

ECIALLY FROM THE UNCLEANESS THAT THE ENEMY DEMONICALLY PUTS ON US. NOW THERE

WERE THREE SPECIFIC AREAS THAT A PERSON NEEDED TO BE CLEANSED FROM:

1. ANY PERSON THAT CAME IN CONTACT WITH A LEPER NEEDED TO BE CLEANSED FROM

ANY DEFILEMENT. LEPROSY IN THE BIBLE IS A TYPE OF SIN AND EQUATES TO

PERSONAL SIN IN OUR LIVES. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS HE IS FAITHFUL AND

JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

2. IF A PERSON CAME INTO CONTACT WITH A DEAD PERSON THEY NEEDED TO BE

CLEANSED. THIS SYMBOLIZES THE NEED TO BE CLEANSED FROM DEMONIC IN-

FILTRATION IN OUR LIVES.

3. ANY PERSON INVOLVED IN SEXUAL IMPURITY NEEDED TO BE CLEANSED AND THIS

EQUATES TO SEXUAL IMPURITY IN THE N.T. TO FORNICATION, ADULTERY AND OR

LUST. EACH OF US TODAY NEEDS TO EXPERIENCE SPIRITUAL CLEANSING IN EACH

OF THESE THREE AREAS AS THEY APPLY TO OUR PERSONAL LIVES.

LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK AT THE SYMBOLISM OF THIS BRAZEN LAVER THAT

POINTS US TO THE SPIRITUAL CLEANSING THAT WE NEED TODAY.

1. FIRST OF ALL WE SEE THAT THIS LAVER IS MADE OF SOLID BRASS. BRASS IN THE

SCRIPTURE IS SYMBOLIC OF STRENGTH, FIRMNESS, ENDURANCE AND JUDGEMENT. IN

DEUT.28:23 MOSES LISTS FOR US THE CURSES THAT WILL REST ON THOSE THAT DIS-

OBEY GOD; HERE HE SAYS THE HEAVEN THAT IS OVER YOUR HEAD WILL BE BRASS AND

THE EARTH THAT IS UNDER YOU SHALL BE IRON. BRASS IN SCRIPTURE IS A TYPE OF

JUDGEMENT AND BECAUSE THE LAVER IS MADE OF SOLID BRASS IT POINTS TO THE

JUDGEMENT OF SIN.

Deut 28:23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth

that is under thee shall be iron. (KJV)

THE MINISTRY OF THE LAVER POINTS US TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR

LIVES. THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS THE SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT AND BURNNING USES THE

WORD OF GOD TO CONVICT US OF SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGEMENT.

Isaiah 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion,

and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy,

even every one that is written among the living in

Jerusalem: (KJV)

Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the

daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of

Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment,

and by the spirit of burning. (KJV)

Isaiah 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount

Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day,

and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all

the glory shall be a defence. (KJV)

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you

that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not

come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and

of righteousness, and of judgment: (KJV)

John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; (KJV)

John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me

no more; (KJV)

John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

THE LAVER SPEAKS OF JUDGEMENT UPON SIN OPERATING THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD. IT

SPEAKS OF THAT CLEANSING THAT COMES AS THE WORD OF GOD EXPOSES AREAS OF OUR

LIVES THAT ARE NOT IN CONFORMITY TO THE STANDARD OF GOD. IT SPEAKS TO US

ABOUT THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD OF GOD IN EPH.5:26

1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

1 Cor 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that

we should not be condemned with the world. (KJV)

1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house

of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be

of them that obey not the gospel of God? (KJV)

2. THE ALTAR WAS MADE FROM BRASS AND IN EX.38:8 WE ARE TOLD WHERE THE BRASS

CAME FROM:

Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of

brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling,

which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the

congregation. (KJV)

A LOOKING GLASS WAS WHAT WE WOULD CALL MIRRORS TODAY. BACK IN ANCIENT TIMES

MIRROS WERE NOT MADE FROM GLASS LIKE THEY ARE TODAY THEY WERE MADE FROM

PIECES OF POLISHED BRASS. THE WOMEN DEDICATED THEIR HAND MIRRORS TO THE SO

THAT THE BRAZEN LAVER COULD BE MADE. NORMALLY THESE MIRROS WERE INSTURMENTS

OF VANITY AND PRIDE THAT THE LORD WAS ABLE TO TRANSFORM INTO AN INSTURMENT

FOR CLEANSING.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of

naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls. (KJV)

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves. (KJV)

James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is

like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and

straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (KJV)

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and

continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a

doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

THE WHOLE THOUGHT OF THE LAVER REPRESENTING A MIRROR IN CLEANSING IS SO

APPROPRIATE FOR US TODAY. THE WHOLE DESIGN OF A MIRROR IS TO REFLECT THE

IMAGE OF WHAT IS PRESENTED BEFORE IT. MEN AND WOMEN USE MIRRORS TODAY TO

OBSERVE OR BEHOLD THEIR NATURAL BEAUTY OR DEFILEMENTS. THEY USE MIRROS TO

TAKE PHYSICAL INVENTORY ON THEMSELVES. THEY USE MIRROS TO HELP ADORN THEM-

SELVES. SO IN THE SPIRITUAL WE NEED TO USE THE LAVER OF GOD'S WORD AS A

MIRROR TO DO SPIRITUAL INVENTORY ON OURSELVES AND TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH

THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF CHRIST.

THE WORD OF GOD IS A MIRROR. IT GIVES US A TRUE AND CLEAR IMAGE OF OUR-

SELVES AS WE ARE, OR AS GOD REALLY SEES US. NOW WE MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT WE

SEE BUT WE MUST NOT IGNORE IT OR DENY IT BUT BRING OUR SINS AND BLEMISHES TO

GOD AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING. AS WE LOOK INTO THE WORD OF GOD

WE SEE THE NEED FOR CLEANSING. THEY WORD OF GOD WILL REVEAL ANY DEFILEMENTS

THAT NEED TO BE SCRUBBED OFF.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine

eye seeth thee. (KJV)

Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man

of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of

unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of

hosts. (KJV)

Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees,

saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (KJV)

THE LIVING WORD OF GOD SHOWS US WHAT WE ARE, WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE AND AS WELL

AS ALL WE CAN BECOME. SELF DISCOVERY IS A FIRST FRIGHTENING BECAUSE WE SEE

OUR UNCLEANESS, BUT SELF-DISCOVERY IS THE FIRST STEP TO CLEANSING. AS

ISAIAH WAS MADE AWARE OF HIS OWN UNCLEANESS, HE WAS MADE READY TO BE TOUCHED

BY GOD. IN FACT THE WHOLE PURPOSE FOR BEING CLEANSED FROM OUR SIN IS SO

THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD CAN BE IN OUR LIVES. CERIMONIAL CLEANSING IN THE

O.T. WAS THE CONDITION FOR PEOPLE COMING INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD. SPIRITUAL

CLEANSING TODAY IS SO THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD CAN COME ON US AND IN US AND

THROUGH US. IT IS ONLY THE CLEAN VESSELS THAT GOD WILL USE IN POWER AND

GLORY.

Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no

unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye

clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. (KJV)

Isaiah 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering

unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in

chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift

beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as

the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean

vessel into the house of the LORD. (KJV)

ACCORDING TO THE PASSAGE WE READ IN EX.30:20-21 ALL THE PRIESTS WERE TO

WASH AT THE LAVER BEFORE ANY MINISTRY COULD BE PERFORMED. THEY COULD NOT

ENTER THE SANCTUARY FOR ANY MINISTRY OR FUNCTION BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF THE

LORD UNTIL THEY HAD WASHED THEIR HANDS AND FEET AT THIS BRAZEN LAVER. THEY

COULD NOT MINISTER AT THE TABLE OF THE LORD, WHICH SPEAKES OF COMMUNION;

THEY COULD NOT MINISTER AT THE ALTAR OF INSCENCE WHICH SPEAK ABOUT WORSHIP

AS WE KNOW IT TODAY AND THEY COULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE GOLDEN CANDLE-

STICK WHICH SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN GIVING

LIGHT AND REVELATION. ALL OF THESE THINGS WERE FOUND IN THE HOLY PLACE.

IN ADDITION TO THESE THEY WERE NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO

MISISTER AT THE BRAZEN ALTAR IN THE OUTER COURT UNLESS THEY HAD FIRST

WASHED. AS A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS AND KINGS WE MUST FULFILL THE O.T. PATTERN

AND WASH CONTINUALLY AT THE LAVER OF THE WORD BEFORE WE MINISTER UNTO THE

LORD IN ANY CAPACITY, WHETHER IT BE IN SIMPLE WORSHIP OR IN THE LAYING OF

HANDS AND PERSONAL MINISTRY TO OTHERS. ABSOLUTELY NO MINISTRY IS

ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD WITHOUT THIS SPIRITUAL CLEANSING. BEFORE THE PRIEST

MINSTER IN THE O.C. THEY HAD TO SUBMIT TO THE INSTRUCTION FROM GOD'S WORD.

THERE WERE NO SHORT CUTS, EVERYTHING HAD TO BE DONE PERCISELY AND ACCURATE-

LY. SO SERIOUS WAS ANY VIOLATION OF THE DIVINE ORDER THAT THEY WOULD BE

STRUCK DEAD IF THEY CAME IN ANY OTHER WAY. HOW MUCH SPIRITUAL DEATH COMES

INTO THE SANCTUARY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH TODAY BECAUSE BELIEVER

PRIESTS FAIL TO CLEANSE AND PREPARE THEMSELVES AT THE LAVER BEFORE ENTERING

THE SANCTUARY FOR WORSHIP. WE ARE ALL CALLED TO BE PRIESTS UNTO THE LORD

IN A SPIRITUAL HOUSE. WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE CLEAN BEFORE WE

MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER OR WE COULD BE PASSING ON SOME DEFILEMENT OR SOME

FORM OF SPIRTUAL CONTAMINATION. WE NEED TO BE CLEAN THAT BEAR THE VESSELS

OF THE LORD.

2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and

of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to

honour, and some to dishonour. (KJV)

2 Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a

vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's

use, and prepared unto every good work. (KJV)

2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith,

charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a

pure heart. (KJV)

2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that

they do gender strifes. (KJV)

2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle

unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (KJV)

2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if

God peradventure will give them repentance to the

acknowledging of the truth; (KJV)

2 Tim 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of

the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)

Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he

appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall

purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they

may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (KJV)

Mal 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the

LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. (KJV)

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the

word, (KJV)

Ezek 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean:

from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse

you. (KJV)

Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within

you: and I will take away the stony heart ou