Skin in the Game | Marcus Mecum | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Skin in the Game

7 Hills Church • May 19, 2025 • 46 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Marcus Mecum explores Leviticus 7 to show how God 'put skin in the game' by giving us Jesus Christ. Just as Old Testament priests received the skin of the sacrifice as their exclusive portion, believers today—who form God's royal priesthood—receive Christ Himself as their covering, inheritance, and reward. Rather than chasing temporary earthly pursuits, we are invited to trust in Christ's complete sacrifice at Calvary, wear His presence daily, and model genuine faith for our families.

Themes

The Priesthood of All BelieversChrist's Substitutionary SacrificeGod as Our Portion and RewardPurifying Motives vs. Chasing Earthly DistractionsLegacy and Household Faith

Key Points

1.
Under Old Testament law in Leviticus 7, while grain and meat offerings were shared equally among the priests, the skin of a burnt offering belonged exclusively to the priest who made the sacrifice.
2.
In the New Testament, every believer is part of the royal priesthood, called to serve as bridge builders connecting people to God.
3.
Skin represents a person's visible life, story, status, and scars before God and others.
4.
Because human lives are flawed, wounded, and damaged by sin, we cannot present an acceptable sacrifice to God in our own perfection or strength.
5.
The cross at Calvary is heaven's spiritual skin graft, where God replaced our blemished, burnt life with the perfect, sinless life of Jesus Christ.
6.
Chasing worldly success, power, or temporary rewards is like greyhounds chasing a mechanical rabbit on a track—it leaves believers disillusioned and unfulfilled.
7.
In Numbers 18:20, the tribe of Levi received no physical land allotment in Canaan because God declared Himself to be their portion and reward.
8.
The spiritual covering and presence of Christ received through serving God is meant to be brought home to impact our children, family, and loved ones.
9.
Surrounding yourself with faithful friends who love God's word and presence keeps your motives pure and keeps you focused on Jesus.

Sermon Moments

“Old Testament priests were given the skin of the sacrifice as their unique portion, pointing to how believers wear Christ as their true reward.”

“A greyhound running on a racetrack chases a artificial rabbit it can never catch; similarly, Christians often chase temporary earthly goals that never satisfy.”

“Skin tells the story of a person's life, lineage, status, and scars.”

“Calvary is heaven's skin graft, replacing our burned and scarred lives with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.”

“When the tribes of Israel received land in Canaan, the priestly tribe received no earthly property because God Himself was their inheritance.”

“When a priest brought home the skin of the offering, it impacted his family; our devotion to Christ must be brought home to inspire our children to walk in truth.”

“God often does far more in our lives than we could imagine, even if He rarely fulfills our self-centered demands, purifying our motives to seek Him alone.”

This Week

Stop chasing secondary earthly "rabbits" (status, position, material success) and evaluate whether Christ alone is truly enough for your heart.

Bring your flawed, wounded, or scarred areas to the cross, receiving Christ's righteousness as a spiritual skin graft rather than trying to cover sin on your own strength.

Reflect on Leviticus 7 and thank God that through Jesus, you are chosen as a priest to build bridges between God and others.

Cultivate a consistent daily rhythm of worshipping and abiding in God's presence at home, making His word central in your household.

Live out an uncompromised, authentic faith in front of your children and family so upcoming generations see that God is your ultimate joy.

Surround yourself with godly friends who will encourage you when you stumble and keep you focused on seeking Jesus rather than worldly distractions.

Surrender past disappointments where God did not answer prayers the way you expected, trusting that He is refining your heart to value Him above all else.

Remember This

Jesus Christ is our ultimate portion and reward, covering our flawed lives with His righteousness so we can walk in His presence and share His truth with our families.

A Challenge for You

Surrender your pursuits of temporary earthly rewards, release your disappointments, and make a firm commitment to find total satisfaction in Jesus Christ as your ultimate portion and reward.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.