We in this sermon strive to think precisely about the doctrine of justification because precision in thinking leads to peace and piety in living. We from this passage ask and answer four questions about the grace of justification: What does justification mean; how does God justify sinners; how do sinners receive the blessing of justification, and why does God justify the ungodly? After clarifying answers to the questions, we seek to show how a right understanding of justification leads to peace of conscience and right living.

Passages like these are difficult to understand and to apply. They seem as though they do not address who God is and how to walk with him. If we search carefully though, we will find that this passage addresses three themes: sovereignty and suffering, covenantal obedience, and orderly holiness.

As a consequence of God's justice, we find ourselves in three predicaments. We are subject to God's wrath on the day of judgment, under the tyranny of sin, and lack the needed righteousness. God because of Christ's obedience, death, and resurrection save us from these predicament by justifying us, redeeming us, and making atonement for us.

The Lord in this passage gives to Moses laws for the welcoming of the unclean back into the community. We see that they are restored to the presence of God and to his people by the sprinkling of blood, sacrifices, and being set-apart by blood and oil. Herein, we see God's gracious initiative to cleanse the unclean by the blood of his Son, upon which we rely not only for forgiveness but for purification.

Paul in this passage confronts his Jewish readers with the truth that all are under sin, including those like them who are zealous for the law of God. He highlights how to be under sin is to be subject to sin's dominion, totally depraved, and morally unable to save themselves by law-keeping.

This sermon focuses on three themes from this passage: a framework for understanding the ceremonial law; sin's corruption, consequences, and cleansing; and priestly discernment. When we understand that the ceremonial laws use physical things to teach spiritual truths and point forward to Christ, then we can understand Leviticus 13 to highlight sin's corruption, consequences, and cleansing. In light of what Christ has done to cleanse the unclean, we are to strive for priestly discernment.

Paul answers in this passage common objections that come from his Jewish audience to his teaching. After discussing the various objections, we seek to understand how this passage helps us better love and cherish the gospel.

In the explanation part of this sermon we ask a number of questions as it relates to this passage. The answers to these questions lead us in the application section to be reminded of God gracious provision of salvation, of Christ as the fulfillment of the types in this passage, and of our need to for cleansing by the blood of the lamb.