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Leviticus 6,7 "Keep the Fire Burning"
Title: "Keep the Fire Burning"
Text: Leviticus 6–7
Theme: Remain faithful and continue walking with God
Leviticus 6–7 revisits the offerings already introduced in chapters 1–5, but now God gives instructions specifically to the priests. The emphasis shifts from bringing the sacrifice to maintaining the worship. The priests were responsible for handling the offerings properly, teaching God's people, and keeping the altar fire burning continually. The lesson is simple: worship is not occasional—it is ongoing.
Introduction
In our previous messages, we learned how sinners approach God through sacrifice, how worship shapes daily life, and how sin must be dealt with through atonement. Now God turns His attention to the priests. The sacrifices have been given, but who will tend the altar? Who will maintain the worship? Who will keep the fire burning? Leviticus 6–7 reminds us that holiness is not merely beginning a relationship with God—it is faithfully continuing in fellowship with Him.
A. Continuance
God desires continual worship, not occasional worship.
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." — Leviticus 6:13
Illustration: Keeping a Campfire Burning
B. Commitment
The priests were entrusted with daily responsibilities before God.
"And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning..." — Leviticus 6:12
Illustration: Marriage
C. Consistency
Faithfulness is demonstrated through daily obedience.
"This is the law of the burnt offering..." — Leviticus 6:9
Illustration: One of the greatest tools
The altar fire was not maintained through occasional effort. Day after day the priests tended the altar and carried out God's instructions. In these chapters we learn that a life of holiness requires continual worship, faithful service, and guarded fellowship.
I. Maintaining the Fire (6:8–13)
The priests kept the altar fire burning continually.
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." — Leviticus 6:13
Theme: Obedience
The priests were responsible for the altar.
God gave specific instructions:
- Remove the ashes (6:10)
- Change garments (6:10–11)
- Add wood every morning (6:12)
- Keep the fire burning continually (6:12–13)
This wasn't exciting work. It was daily work. The fire represented continual worship. The sacrifices never stopped because the people's need never stopped.
Application
Just as the priests maintained the altar daily, believers must cultivate daily fellowship with God through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience.
II. Ministering Faithfully (6:14–7:10)
The priests faithfully carried out God's instructions regarding the offerings.
“This is the law of the meat offering...” — Leviticus 6:14
“This is the law of the trespass offering...” — Leviticus 7:1
Theme: Faithfulness.
These verses explain how the priests handled:
- the meat offering (6:14–23)
- the sin offering (6:24–30)
- the trespass offering (7:1–10)
Repeatedly God says:
"This is the law of..."
The priests were not free to improvise. The priests served God's way.
Every offering had:
- specific instructions
- specific procedures
- specific purposes
The priests handled holy things.
"It is most holy." — Leviticus 6:17
The phrase "most holy" appears repeatedly throughout these chapters.
Application
God's work is to be handled with reverence and faithfulness. Worship is not about doing what feels right but honoring God according to His Word.
III. Meeting in Fellowship (Leviticus 7:11–38)
The peace offering reminded Israel that God desired fellowship with His people. Through sacrifice and thanksgiving they could enjoy communion with Him.
“And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings...” — Leviticus 7:11
“He shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving...” — Leviticus 7:13
Theme: Fellowship
The peace offering celebrated fellowship between God and His people.
God instructed how fellowship was maintained.
The sacrifice had to be:
- offered properly
- eaten properly
- treated as holy
Nothing was to be careless or casual. God warned against uncleanness.
"The soul that eateth... having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people." — Leviticus 7:20
Fellowship could be disrupted by uncleanness.
Application
Our relationship with God should never be treated casually. Fellowship is maintained when we walk in obedience, quickly deal with sin, and remain near to the Lord.
Christ Connection
The priests continually ministered because sacrifices continually needed to be offered.
But Jesus became:
- our perfect sacrifice
- our great High Priest
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood." — Hebrews 7:24
The fire never went out because God's people continually needed access to Him. Today our access is found forever in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The way of holiness is not built on occasional spiritual experiences. It is built through continual worship, faithful service, and guarded fellowship with God. The priests were commanded to keep the fire burning on the altar, and believers today are called to maintain a vibrant walk with the Lord. Through Christ our sacrifice and our High Priest, we can continue steadfastly in worship and fellowship with God.
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." — Leviticus 6:13
A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.
To contact me, please email me at [email protected]
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By Dean Carmichael, JrTitle: "Keep the Fire Burning"
Text: Leviticus 6–7
Theme: Remain faithful and continue walking with God
Leviticus 6–7 revisits the offerings already introduced in chapters 1–5, but now God gives instructions specifically to the priests. The emphasis shifts from bringing the sacrifice to maintaining the worship. The priests were responsible for handling the offerings properly, teaching God's people, and keeping the altar fire burning continually. The lesson is simple: worship is not occasional—it is ongoing.
Introduction
In our previous messages, we learned how sinners approach God through sacrifice, how worship shapes daily life, and how sin must be dealt with through atonement. Now God turns His attention to the priests. The sacrifices have been given, but who will tend the altar? Who will maintain the worship? Who will keep the fire burning? Leviticus 6–7 reminds us that holiness is not merely beginning a relationship with God—it is faithfully continuing in fellowship with Him.
A. Continuance
God desires continual worship, not occasional worship.
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." — Leviticus 6:13
Illustration: Keeping a Campfire Burning
B. Commitment
The priests were entrusted with daily responsibilities before God.
"And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning..." — Leviticus 6:12
Illustration: Marriage
C. Consistency
Faithfulness is demonstrated through daily obedience.
"This is the law of the burnt offering..." — Leviticus 6:9
Illustration: One of the greatest tools
The altar fire was not maintained through occasional effort. Day after day the priests tended the altar and carried out God's instructions. In these chapters we learn that a life of holiness requires continual worship, faithful service, and guarded fellowship.
I. Maintaining the Fire (6:8–13)
The priests kept the altar fire burning continually.
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." — Leviticus 6:13
Theme: Obedience
The priests were responsible for the altar.
God gave specific instructions:
- Remove the ashes (6:10)
- Change garments (6:10–11)
- Add wood every morning (6:12)
- Keep the fire burning continually (6:12–13)
This wasn't exciting work. It was daily work. The fire represented continual worship. The sacrifices never stopped because the people's need never stopped.
Application
Just as the priests maintained the altar daily, believers must cultivate daily fellowship with God through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience.
II. Ministering Faithfully (6:14–7:10)
The priests faithfully carried out God's instructions regarding the offerings.
“This is the law of the meat offering...” — Leviticus 6:14
“This is the law of the trespass offering...” — Leviticus 7:1
Theme: Faithfulness.
These verses explain how the priests handled:
- the meat offering (6:14–23)
- the sin offering (6:24–30)
- the trespass offering (7:1–10)
Repeatedly God says:
"This is the law of..."
The priests were not free to improvise. The priests served God's way.
Every offering had:
- specific instructions
- specific procedures
- specific purposes
The priests handled holy things.
"It is most holy." — Leviticus 6:17
The phrase "most holy" appears repeatedly throughout these chapters.
Application
God's work is to be handled with reverence and faithfulness. Worship is not about doing what feels right but honoring God according to His Word.
III. Meeting in Fellowship (Leviticus 7:11–38)
The peace offering reminded Israel that God desired fellowship with His people. Through sacrifice and thanksgiving they could enjoy communion with Him.
“And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings...” — Leviticus 7:11
“He shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving...” — Leviticus 7:13
Theme: Fellowship
The peace offering celebrated fellowship between God and His people.
God instructed how fellowship was maintained.
The sacrifice had to be:
- offered properly
- eaten properly
- treated as holy
Nothing was to be careless or casual. God warned against uncleanness.
"The soul that eateth... having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people." — Leviticus 7:20
Fellowship could be disrupted by uncleanness.
Application
Our relationship with God should never be treated casually. Fellowship is maintained when we walk in obedience, quickly deal with sin, and remain near to the Lord.
Christ Connection
The priests continually ministered because sacrifices continually needed to be offered.
But Jesus became:
- our perfect sacrifice
- our great High Priest
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood." — Hebrews 7:24
The fire never went out because God's people continually needed access to Him. Today our access is found forever in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The way of holiness is not built on occasional spiritual experiences. It is built through continual worship, faithful service, and guarded fellowship with God. The priests were commanded to keep the fire burning on the altar, and believers today are called to maintain a vibrant walk with the Lord. Through Christ our sacrifice and our High Priest, we can continue steadfastly in worship and fellowship with God.
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." — Leviticus 6:13
A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.
To contact me, please email me at [email protected]