Episode 35 — Atonement in an Awkward World

With Pastor George

In this powerful and deeply relevant episode of Berean Devotion, Pastor George walks through some of the most uncomfortable chapters in Scripture — Leviticus 15–18, alongside Psalm 31 and Hebrews 6.

Let’s be honest — these chapters aren’t easy to read.

Leviticus 15 addresses bodily discharges.
Leviticus 18 confronts incest, sexual immorality, and abuse.
And right in the middle stands Leviticus 16 — the Day of Atonement, the theological heartbeat of the entire book.

But these laws were not arbitrary. God was setting His people apart in a pagan culture saturated with sexual brokenness. Israel was called to be different — not strange, but holy. Their distinct way of living would cause surrounding nations to ask, “Why?”

At the center of it all is the Day of Atonement:

• One goat carried the sins of the people away into the wilderness.
• Another was sacrificed, its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat.

Two realities emerge:

1. Sin is removed.
2. God’s wrath is satisfied.

This is the picture of propitiation — and it points directly to Jesus Christ. What those sacrifices symbolized, Christ fulfilled completely. He carried our sins away and satisfied the righteous wrath of God once and for all.

Pastor George then turns to Psalm 31, a personal reminder that when life feels uncertain and relationships feel fragile, God is still trustworthy.

And in Hebrews 6, we’re reminded that Jesus is not only our atonement — He is the anchor of our soul, sure and steadfast behind the veil.

In a world deeply confused about sexuality and truth, this episode reminds us:

• God calls His people to holiness.
• The law exposes our brokenness.
• Only Jesus can cleanse and restore.
• Our hope is not in moral performance, but in Christ alone.

If today’s culture feels unstable, this episode will remind you where true stability is found — in the finished work of Jesus, our atonement and our anchor.

Christ Greater Than Moses — The Final and Perfect Offering

With Anthony Pina

📖 Today’s Reading

• Leviticus 4–7
• Hebrews 3

In this episode, Anthony walks through the continued details of Israel’s sacrificial system and highlights a powerful New Testament truth: what the law required, Christ fulfilled.

🩸 Leviticus 4–7 — Sin Is Serious, and God Provides a Way

These chapters expand on the offerings introduced earlier in Leviticus, with special focus on:

• The Sin Offering (Leviticus 4) — For sins committed in ignorance.
• The Trespass/Guilt Offering (Leviticus 5) — For specific acts of wrongdoing.
• Further instructions regarding burnt, grain, and peace offerings (Leviticus 6–7).

One repeated phrase stands out:

Moses served as God’s conduit to the people, and Aaron and his sons carried out the priestly responsibilities exactly as prescribed.

Key Themes:

• Sin — even unintentional sin — must be addressed.
• Worship must be done God’s way.
• A spotless sacrifice was required.
• Atonement always required blood.

The weight of these chapters reminds us just how serious sin is before a holy God. Yet it also magnifies God’s mercy in providing a way for reconciliation.

Today, we don’t search for a spotless animal to sacrifice — because Christ became our perfect offering, once and for all.

✝️ Hebrews 3 — Christ Is Greater Than Moses

The author of Hebrews continues building the case that Christ is superior.

After establishing that Christ is greater than angels (Hebrews 1–2), chapter 3 makes it clear:

While Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house, Christ is the Son over God’s house.

Moses:

• A faithful servant
• A leader and mediator
• A testimony pointing forward

Christ:

• The Son
• The fulfillment
• The perfect and faithful High Priest
• The once-for-all sacrifice

Moses was used mightily by God, but he was imperfect. Christ, however, was completely faithful to the mission the Father sent Him to accomplish — giving His life for our sins.

🎯 Main Takeaways

• God takes sin seriously.
• Atonement requires a sacrifice.
• The Old Testament system pointed forward to something greater.
• Jesus is not merely another leader in a long line of faithful men.
• Christ is the greater Moses — the perfect and final offering.
• His sacrifice covers sins past, present, and future.

🙏 Closing Encouragement

Because of Christ:

• We can stand righteous before a holy God.
• We don’t approach through repeated sacrifices.
• We rest in a finished work.

Praise the Lord for the sufficiency of Jesus — our perfect sacrifice and our greater Savior.

Join us next time as we continue walking through Scripture together.

Christ Our Offering, Our Confidence, and Our High Priest

With Anthony Pina

📖 Today’s Reading

• Leviticus 1–3
• Psalm 27
• Hebrews 2

In this episode, Anthony Pina walks through key passages that move us from the sacrificial system of the Old Testament to the superior and personal work of Christ in the New Testament. The central theme? God makes a way for sinful people to relate to a holy God—and that way is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

🔥 Leviticus 1–3 — Worship God His Way

Coming out of the book of Exodus, the tabernacle has been completed. Now in Leviticus, God establishes clear instructions for how His people are to approach Him.

The Three Offerings:

• Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1) – A complete surrender to God.
• Grain Offering (Leviticus 2) – An offering of dedication and thanksgiving.
• Peace Offering (Leviticus 3) – Fellowship and reconciliation with God.

Each sacrifice had to be:

• Without blemish
• Offered exactly as God prescribed
• Given from what the people already possessed

Key Insight:
God demands worship His way. Yet in His grace, He never requires something beyond what He has already provided.

Today, Christ is our ultimate offering—the fulfillment of everything Leviticus foreshadowed.

🌄 Psalm 27 — Confidence in the Middle of Fear

In this powerful psalm of David, we see unwavering trust in God during uncertainty and opposition.

David reminds us:

• God is our covering in trouble.
• God establishes our footing when life feels unstable.
• Waiting on the Lord strengthens the heart.

Application:
When facing fear, loneliness, or opposition, our instinct may be to run—but Psalm 27 teaches us to remain anchored in God’s presence.

✝️ Hebrews 2 — Christ Became Like Us

The book of Hebrews emphasizes one major truth: Christ is better.

In chapter 2, we see:

• Jesus is superior to angels.
• He became fully human.
• He endured suffering and temptation.
• He remained without sin.

Christ took on flesh not to indulge in it—but to redeem it.
He understands our suffering.
He identifies with our temptations.
He is our merciful and faithful High Priest.

Because He endured hardship, we can trust Him in ours.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• God provides a way to approach Him.
• Worship must align with God’s design.
• Confidence in God is the antidote to fear.
• Jesus fully understands our struggles.
• We must not neglect so great a salvation.

🙏 Closing Prayer Focus

• Gratitude for God’s Word
• Strength to apply biblical truth
• Courage in the face of difficulty
• Confidence in Christ’s perfect example
• Praise for our merciful High Priest

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded that:
God provides the sacrifice, the covering, and the strength.

Join us next time as we continue walking through Scripture together.

Join Anthony Pina for Day 30 of Devotions at Berean Baptist Church in San Tan Valley, Arizona. This series inspires believers to draw closer to Jesus through daily Bible reading and prayer as part of a 5-day plan to read the Bible in 2026. In this episode, Anthony Pina examines the completion of the tabernacle in Exodus 38-40, highlighting the detailed construction of the altar, courtyard, priestly garments, Moses' inspection and blessing, the assembly of all elements as commanded by God, and the divine approval as His glory fills it with a guiding cloud by day and fire by night. Transitioning to the New Testament, he explores Hebrews 1's emphasis on Christ's superiority over angels as God's begotten Son, with angels as ministering spirits to heirs of salvation, urging a focus on Christ rather than angelic worship. Concluding with prayers for applying these truths and sharing the gospel, this installment celebrates God's holy standards for worship, His guiding presence, and Christ's exalted role in salvation.

**Episode Chapters:**
00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction to Readings
00:45 Tabernacle Construction: Altar, Courtyard, and Garments in Exodus 38-39
03:00 Moses' Inspection, Assembly, and God's Glory in Exodus 40
05:00 Christ's Superiority Over Angels in Hebrews 1
07:00 Closing Prayer for Application and Gospel Sharing

Join Anthony Pina for Day 29 of Devotions at Berean Baptist Church in San Tan Valley, Arizona. This series inspires believers to draw closer to Jesus through daily Bible reading and prayer as part of a 5-day plan to read the Bible in 2026. In this episode, Anthony Pina explores Exodus 35-37, detailing the gathering of materials and precise construction of the tabernacle, emphasizing God's holiness and the specific way He demands worship without modern conveniences. He reflects on Psalm 26 as David's declaration of loyalty to God, standing firm against opposition through heartfelt worship and integrity. Transitioning to Philippians 4, he highlights the joy of giving, directing thoughts to what is true and pure, calls for unity amid disagreements, gratitude for support like that from the Philippians to Paul, and the closing grace uniting all believers. Concluding with a prayer to reflect God's goodness, this installment reminds listeners of the importance of heart-centered worship, positive mindset, and communal support under Christ's grace.

**Episode Chapters:**
00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction to Readings
00:45 Tabernacle Construction and God's Holiness in Exodus 35-37
03:00 Declaring Loyalty and Integrity in Psalm 26
04:45 Joy, Unity, and Positive Thinking in Philippians 4
07:00 Gratitude for Support and Closing Grace
08:30 Closing Prayer for Reflecting God's Goodness

Join Anthony Pina for Day 28 of Devotions at Berean Baptist Church in San Tan Valley, Arizona. This series inspires believers to draw closer to Jesus through daily Bible reading and prayer as part of a 5-day plan to read the Bible in 2026. In this episode, Anthony Pina examines Exodus 32-34, detailing the Israelites' impatience leading to the golden calf idolatry while Moses receives tabernacle instructions, God's righteous anger, Moses' intercession for mercy on a disobedient people, the renewal of the covenant tablets, and the radiant glory on Moses' face from God's presence. Shifting to Philippians 3, he explores Paul's warnings against fleshly confidence, his testimony of counting all things loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, and encouragement to press on toward the heavenly prize amid earthly distractions. Concluding with a prayer for applying these truths, this installment warns against impatience in waiting on God and urges focusing on Christ over worldly pursuits for true spiritual gain.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction to Readings
00:45 Impatience and Idolatry with the Golden Calf in Exodus 32
03:00 Moses' Intercession and God's Mercy on Disobedient People
04:30 Renewed Covenant Tablets and Moses' Radiant Face in Exodus 34
06:00 Warnings Against Fleshly Confidence in Philippians 3
08:00 Counting All Loss for Christ and Pressing On
09:30 Closing Prayer for Application

Join Pastor George Binoka for Day 34 of Berean Devotions at Berean Baptist Church in San Tan Valley, Arizona. This series helps believers draw closer to Jesus through daily Bible reading and prayer, fostering spiritual maturity and devotion. In this episode, Pastor George navigates the challenging chapters of Leviticus 12-14, exploring laws on postpartum uncleanness for a woman's protection and recovery, leprosy as a symbol of sin's pervasive and infectious nature requiring thorough purification, foreshadowing Christ's atoning work. He celebrates Psalm 111's praise of God's wondrous, gracious, and compassionate works, and delves into Hebrews 5's portrayal of Jesus as the perfect, sinless high priest who learned obedience through suffering, authoring eternal salvation, contrasted with warnings against spiritual immaturity and the need for discernment through God's Word. Concluding with a prayer thanking God for His protective laws, wondrous works, Christ's high priesthood, and maturity to discern good from evil, this installment encourages listeners to embrace holiness and praise God's character revealed in Scripture.

**Episode Chapters:**
00:00 Introduction to Day 34 and Readings
00:45 Postpartum Uncleanness and Protection in Leviticus 12
02:00 Leprosy as Symbol of Sin in Leviticus 13-14
03:45 Praising God's Wondrous Works in Psalm 111
04:45 Jesus as High Priest and Spiritual Maturity in Hebrews 5
06:30 Closing Prayer for Holiness and Discernment

Join Pastor George Binoka for Day 33 of Berean Devotion at Berean Baptist Church in San Tan Valley, Arizona. This series helps believers draw closer to God through daily Bible reading and prayer, emphasizing devotion over legalism. In this episode, Pastor George tackles the challenging book of Leviticus chapters 8-11, revealing God's character through laws on worship as a life-or-death matter, the bloody sacrifices foreshadowing Christ's atonement, the dangers of profane "strange fire" leading to Nadab and Abihu's death, and uncleanliness from death symbolizing sin's impact. He explores Psalm 110's portrayal of God as a warrior destroying enemies opposing Jesus' kingship, assuring ultimate victory. Shifting to Hebrews 4, he highlights the living power of God's Word to discern hearts and Jesus as the compassionate, sinless high priest mediating for humanity. Concluding with a prayer of gratitude for Christ's mediation, reverential worship, and the Word's revelation, this installment urges listeners to approach God in holiness, trusting His sovereignty and empathy amid temptations.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Day 33 and Leviticus Challenges
00:45 Worship as Life or Death in Leviticus 8-11
03:00 Consequences of Profane Worship and Symbolism of Sin
05:00 God as Warrior Against Enemies in Psalm 110
06:00 The Power of God's Word and Compassionate High Priest in Hebrews 4
08:00 Closing Prayer for Holy Worship and Mediation