WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:05.200 Where would we be without the shed blood of Jesus Christ? 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:05.839 Amen? 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:11.439 Thank you, David, and the team for leading us in worship this morning. 00:00:13.119 --> 00:00:22.559 If you have your copy of the scriptures, please open it with me to Exodus chapter 12, the Old Testament, Exodus chapter 12. 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:26.960 If you don't have a copy, there should be a one in the Pew Rack in front of you. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:31.519 We're on page 53 of Exodus chapter 12. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:57.280 Well, as a nation, it seems that we have traditionally set aside this weekend, Memorial Day weekend, as the official or unofficial kickoff of the summer, and we pause, or we should pause, to give thanks for those that made our celebrations possible. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:10.239 I would submit that not a single barbecue will take place, not a single family gathering will take place, were it not for the shed blood of men and women. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:15.760 Most in uniform, some undercover, that you would never know what they do. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:21.920 But we're thankful for their sacrifice, and so we pause as a nation. 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:23.120 We should. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:46.959 I'm thankful. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:49.439 As a nation, we should be thankful. 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:54.560 And so as a nation, as Americans, this weekend we pause. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:55.920 We should pause. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:09.039 As a church, we pause and specifically speak to those or here who you have lost a family member or you have lost a friend in service to our nation. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:12.240 And we want you to know that we stand with you. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:17.439 We thank you, you, for your unique sacrifice. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:24.159 We stand with you and we love you, and we are thankful for you this morning. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:44.800 Well, 40 years ago this week, I assembled with a thousand of my Naval Academy classmates in Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, on the morning of graduation and our commissioning into the Navy and the Marine Corps. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:03:00.800 Surrounded by us in the infield of that stadium are these blue signs and bold blue, bold blue letters that list the battles, many of them where Naval Academy graduates have fought valiantly. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:03.680 Pearl Harbor, up over here. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:14.560 Iwo Jima, Midway, Normandy, Chosin Reservoir, Mekong Delta, to name a few. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:23.599 73 Naval Academy graduates have been awarded our nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor, in service to their nation. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:31.039 And so that that stadium is a fitting venue for graduation and commissioning. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:42.159 One of the most honored and yet sobering Naval Academy graduation traditions involves the class that graduated 50 years prior to the graduating class. 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:45.759 For us, it was the class of 1929. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:04:12.560 The families of those who had passed in of the class of 1929, many of them have donated their class rings and their service members' swords and their medals and their warfare specialty pins that they wore in the uniform, all of them melted down and reformatted as gift to us in the first collar device that we will wear on our uniforms upon commissioning. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:16.720 It's a powerful scene that morning at the stadium. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:28.639 As you walk up to receive your diploma and you walk down the ramp back to your seating area, as many as the class of 1929 could assemble, they did. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:33.839 And they formed a very orderly but powerful receiving line. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:40.639 One handshake after another as they welcomed us into a life of service to the nation. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:47.920 Almost to a man saying to us as they looked us in the eye and shook our hands, remember this day. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:51.279 Remember this day. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:05:02.639 Many had been called to sacrifice for us, but now we were being called to be willing to sacrifice for the many. 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:05.439 Remember this day. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:22.000 Those of you who have served or are currently serving, you know that it's a shared and sobering but mostly unspoken reality that one day you may be called to lay down your life in service to others. 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:28.720 It may be that you would have to shed your blood so that others may live. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:32.639 It's a powerful act of love. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:37.199 In fact, Jesus calls it the greatest form of love. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:49.680 John chapter 15, verse 13, Jesus said, Greater love has no one than this, that one would willingly lay down their life for as friends. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:57.680 Just days after Jesus would utter these words, he would also stand behind them. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:04.160 By willingly going to that cross at Calvary, demonstrated the greatest love. 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:08.480 The man who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:15.680 He paid a debt that he did not even owe, so that none of us would ever have to pay. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:22.079 He willingly gave of his life so that you and I can live. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:50.720 So as we pause as Americans and as a church this weekend to reflect upon those in our nation who have sacrificed their lives, I personally am drawn to a specific text, our text this morning here in Exodus chapter 12, because it is a prototype of Jesus who modeled the intentional, self-emptying, sacrificial to the point of death kind of love for you and for me. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:07:01.360 Certainly we know from our careful study of scripture, beginning early in the book of Genesis, that we see God's redemption story unfolding. 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:11.360 But I believe it's here in Exodus chapter 12 that gives us a glimpse into what would happen for us in the New Testament 2,000 years ago. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:23.439 The prototype of the Lamb that was slain in Exodus 12 is Jesus, our Lamb of God, the one who willingly lay down his life for you and for me. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:32.079 One of the appropriate weekend, Memorial Day weekend, as we remember those who have given of their lives so that you and I could enjoy the freedom. 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.600 We now focus our attention here in the scriptures. 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:40.480 Follow along as I begin in verse one of Exodus chapter 12. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:42.399 This is Moses writing. 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:52.720 Verse 1 says, The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, this month shall be for you the beginning of months. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:55.680 It shall be the first month of the year for you. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:08:07.439 Tell all of the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their father's houses, lamb for a household. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:20.959 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbors shall take according to the number of persons, according to what each can eat, you shall make your count for the lamb. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:26.079 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male, a year old. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:29.279 You may take it from the sheep or the goats. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:40.159 You shall keep it with you until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:42.480 That's God's words to Moses. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:48.000 Verse 21 picks up where Moses then shares that with the nation of Israel. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:58.879 Verse 21, then Moses called all of the elders of Israel and said to them, Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans and kill the Passover lamb. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:10.639 Take a bunch of hyssop, that's a leafy vegetable, take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:15.279 None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:25.200 For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, but when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will, here's two key words, pass over. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:32.480 The Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:39.279 You shall observe this rite as a statue for you and for your sons forever. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:45.600 And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:52.879 And when your children say to you, What do you mean by this service, or this ritual, or this act, this rite? 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:54.559 What do you mean by this? 00:09:54.799 --> 00:10:07.279 You shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians, but spared our houses. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:13.039 And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.399 It's a powerful story. 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:30.000 When the people of Israel were made aware of what God would do for them on their behalf, he would free them from brutal slavery in Egypt. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:42.000 When the people of Israel, the scripture tells us here in verse 27, when they found out the story that God had planned for them to free them and to save them, it overwhelmed them. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:46.480 And they stopped like we're doing this weekend. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:53.279 And they paused and they remembered and they worshiped the Almighty. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:11:00.720 That God would make a way for one to die so that we would live. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:05.919 And they stopped and they paused and they worshiped. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:18.879 As we begin our brief study this morning in Exodus 12 of the Passover, I want to make sure we highlight three specific things so we can understand the text and make application. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:21.919 First of all, I want to study what is the Passover rite? 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.000 What is this right and why did they do it? 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:26.240 Secondly, what's the Passover result? 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:28.240 What happened as a result of what they did? 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:34.240 And firstly, and most importantly, what's our responsibility about the Passover? 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:39.440 What responsibility do we have now that we know this story? 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:44.240 Well, let's begin by unpacking this rite or the ritual of the Passover. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:53.679 The earlier chapters in this book of Exodus that we don't cover this morning really show us the catalyst for how this whole Passover rite came about. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:12:01.200 We know that the Jews had been held captive in Israel now for a number of centuries, and God is going to move them out. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:04.559 And God uses Moses as the leader of the nation of Israel. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:08.799 You and your brother are to go to Pharaoh and bring them my imperative. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.799 And that's what Moses does. 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:15.039 He comes before Pharaoh and says, Let my people go. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.639 That's the imperative from God. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:20.960 Let my people go, so they may come out and worship me. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:29.039 But unfortunately for Pharaoh, Exodus 5 tells us that he was not only ignorant, but he was arrogant. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:38.159 Verse 2 of Exodus 5 says, The words of Pharaoh, he says, Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:39.840 I do not know the Lord. 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:42.000 And that may describe you today here. 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:44.480 Pharaoh says, I do not know the Lord. 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:47.600 And besides, I will not let Israel go. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:58.720 But despite Pharaoh's arrogance, we learn in the very next chapter that God promised his people that he would redeem them from their bondage. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:04.159 Moses writes the word of the Lord here in Exodus chapter 6, verse 6. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:07.519 He says, I am the Lord. 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:15.039 I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:26.960 Pharaoh's stiff-necked response to God's message to let my people go would prove to be not only costly to him, but to his countrymen as well. 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:41.840 As God would unleash a series of ten consecutive and devastating plagues designed to display God's power, humble Pharaoh and release his people that they may worship him. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:51.519 The tenth and the worst of these plagues was the death of the firstborn in all of the Egyptian households, while the Jews would be saved. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:14:07.200 The means by which God would provide redemption and safe passage for his people who were enslaved in Egypt would prove to be a foreshadowing of what Jesus Christ would do for each one of us at Calvary. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:15.840 Here in the text, we know that the Passover would require them to take a newborn without spot or blemish. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:23.039 In other words, almost perfect lamb, this baby lamb that they would take into their home for 14 days. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:25.200 For two weeks, they would have that in their home. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:28.559 They would come to love this lamb and care for this lamb. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:32.799 But then also that lamb would require to be slaughtered. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:35.039 And they would slaughter that lamb. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:40.000 It's a picture of the gospel, it's a picture of exactly what Jesus would do for us. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:48.879 In fact, John the Baptist says in John chapter 1, when he points to Jesus, he says, Look, there is the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:55.120 The Lamb of the Passover here is the prototype of exactly what Jesus would do for each one of us. 00:14:57.039 --> 00:15:03.519 And by the way, as a side note, we often say that salvation is free. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:09.679 But friends, we need to be reminded, even though it's free, it didn't come without a cost. 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:22.559 In fact, just thinking about this weekend that we celebrate, just a solemn stroll through Arlington National Cemetery will remind us that freedom is costly. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:27.600 Likewise, salvation would come at a price. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:35.600 That lamb that those families came to know and love, they would eventually need to slaughter. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:45.360 And the slaughter would provide the blood, and that blood would be used to cover their doorposts and the lintel above their heads. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:50.480 And literally they would be saved by the blood of that lamb. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:55.120 They would be literally covered under the blood of that lamb. 00:15:55.279 --> 00:16:01.919 That is a picture of what God would do for each one of us at Calvary. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:16.399 And during the Passover, the rite here, God not only had them perform the sacrifice of killing that newborn one-year-old, that spotless lamb, and using that blood to cover the doorposts as a sign. 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:24.240 So literally the destroyer would pass them by, pass them over as it came to bring death in Egypt. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:30.000 Not only did God give them that right, but God also provided them a meal. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:35.440 He said, You will also use that lamb to nourish yourself, that you will remember. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:42.559 And so he provided for them a meal of roasted lamb and bitter herbs and unleavened bread. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:47.519 And he said, When you eat this meal, make sure you're dressed for travel. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:51.039 You're about to be released from captivity. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:53.840 Everything will be released off of you. 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.279 Be dressed for travel. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:17:00.480 Men, have your garments stuck into your belt, have the sandals already on your feet. 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.039 Be standing there eating with your staff. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.079 See, God would feed them. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.359 God would spare them. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:14.480 God would then free them, and God would lead them out of captivity into the marvelous light of the promised land. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:24.480 Well, that is the right of the Passover that God gave us, that God gave the Jews that would protect them. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:30.640 But not only do we have the right of the Passover, but secondly, I want us to see the results of the Passover. 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:43.359 Reflecting on our text today and the verses that would follow after our text here in Exodus chapter 12, there seems to have been an instantaneous and significant fourfold impact of the Passover. 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:53.440 First, as a result of the Passover, the proud and arrogant nature of Pharaoh, remember what he said, I don't know the Lord, and I'm not going to obey the Lord. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:18:06.720 Well, that proud and arrogant spirit would yield and would eventually be the one who would usher Moses and the nation of Israel out and into freedom. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:18.559 Pharaoh's heart was hard, make no mistake, and it continued to be hardened, but his spirit gave way to humility as God overpowered his stubborn ways. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:29.680 Well, secondly, as a result of the Passover, God was glorified in that the entire nation of Egypt, the entire nation, all the Egyptians, were made known that who was the true God. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:38.000 They served and followed many, many artificial gods, but he would tell them and show them that he is the one to be worshipped. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:40.559 He is the God of gods and the king of kings. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:42.000 He is the only one. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:47.119 Well, thirdly, as a result of the Passover, God was also exalted by the people of Israel. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:53.119 God said, You will remember what happened here and you will celebrate this annually, no matter where you go. 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:58.559 And as a family, you'll be willing to tell others of what God did on your behalf. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:06.240 And fourthly and finally, most importantly, as a result of the Passover, plain and simple, the entire nation of Israel was spared. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:16.319 They were spared by and only by the shed blood of a spotless lamb, establishing the prototype of exactly what Jesus would do for us. 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:24.160 I trust we can see the New Testament parallel in this passage today. 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:29.440 Paul lays it out for us in 1 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:34.720 And verse 7, he says, Jesus, he is our Passover. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:36.720 That's the way Paul describes him. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:46.400 Again, what John the Baptist said when he saw Jesus walking, he pointed to the crowd and said, Behold, that is the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.000 Jesus is our Passover. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.440 Jesus is the Lamb of God. 00:19:49.599 --> 00:20:01.119 Peter writes in 1 Peter chapter 1, verse 19, he says, We are offered redemption by the precious blood of a lamb unblemished and spotless, speaking of Jesus, the blood of Christ. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:15.200 Just as the overwhelmingly good news that the first Passover caused the Jews to bow and worship, it should cause us to bow and worship as well. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:30.799 But friends, you would only bow and worship if you had received what God had offered by way of the Passover or by way of the prototype, what Jesus would do for us on the cross? 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:34.799 Friend, let me ask you a question. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:42.240 Are you here today and you put your faith and trust in Christ and the sacrifice that he made? 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:50.960 Or are you more like Pharaoh, who was the Lord that I should give him anything to think about? 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:54.000 Who was the Lord that I should follow him and obey him? 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:56.559 Friend Butch, one defines you today. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:07.359 And let me say, if you're here today and outside of the family of faith, let me tell you that every time we look at the scripture, we make application for our lives. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.640 What do we observe? 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.519 What does it mean? 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:11.359 And what am I supposed to do? 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:16.559 But the application of scripture is not just for the believer in Jesus Christ. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:19.039 The application is for everyone. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:30.720 See, Romans chapter 1 tells us that even the unbeliever, they understand are familiar with the truth, but the scripture says they suppress the truth and unrighteousness. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:35.200 Familiar with it, but like Pharaoh, they choose to suppress it. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:42.160 And so, friend, if you're here today and you're wondering why the fuss about the Passover, how does that impact me? 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:48.319 Well, let me give you the quick answer and tell you quickly the story of why this is important. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.079 It starts with the fact that God loves us. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:55.599 And God created us, He created every one of us. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:59.759 And God really put the world around us, this beautiful world that we enjoy. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:02.880 And it's almost like we are the center of God's universe. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.400 He loves us that much. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:14.799 But the problem is, while God wants to have a relationship with us, we are born sinful and selfish. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:18.000 God is holy, sinless. 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:27.200 And here we are and trying to have this relationship, and there's a huge chasm, a huge gap between a holy God and sinful us. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:31.279 And we may do a lot of things trying to bridge that gap. 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:43.839 We say, well, maybe if I just get all of these advanced degrees or make all of this money, or maybe if I do all of these good works, I could somehow close that gap a little bit, or maybe I know what I'll do, I'll recycle. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:51.440 If I just separate my glass from my plastic, help the environment, that'll probably really bridge the gap. 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:59.039 And friends, as much as you may bridge the gap, there will still be what's called a gap. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:03.279 In fact, the Bible says all have sinned and fall short. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.880 There's a gap. 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:14.000 Nobody can fulfill that gap, but God still has that desire to love us and have a relationship with us. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:16.720 So he devised the perfect plan. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:23.599 And what God did was we he sent his perfect Son, Jesus, God in the flesh, part of the Trinity. 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:34.240 He sent him here to earth, and the sole reason that he was born 2,000 years ago to a young girl named Mary in a place called Bethlehem, right outside of Jerusalem. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:38.960 The whole reason Jesus came was to be that sacrificial lamb. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:43.039 Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.640 That was Jesus. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:46.640 That's why he came. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:50.880 He went to that cross to pay for our sins. 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:54.559 He paid a debt I said he never didn't even owe. 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:56.799 He paid a debt that none of us could ever pay. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:59.119 We couldn't scan that gap. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.319 God did it for us. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:18.400 And all he asks that we do, in response to what Jesus did, is that we believe in him, accept that gift, and make him Lord of our life. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:21.759 And friend, that there's never been a time that you've done that. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:24.400 Let me ask you, what are you waiting for? 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:38.000 Now that you're armed with the information about why we studied the Passover, the prototype that it is for Jesus Christ here in the New Testament, and why it's important that we understand this and why it's important that you accept it, friend, you need to make a decision. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:45.759 But let me warn you up front, the decision you make about Jesus Christ here on earth before you die will affect your relationship with Him for all of eternity. 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:49.279 You see, if you choose to say, I'll tell you what, I'm not worried about that gap. 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:52.160 I'll do it my own way, I'll take my chances. 00:24:53.359 --> 00:25:01.759 The Bible says that when you die, without Christ having paid for your sins, you'll pay for them. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:07.039 Eternally separated from God without any hope of recovery, how sad that will be. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:21.440 But the good news is, friend, God also said that should you put your faith and trust in Christ and believe that He made the perfect sacrifice, that when you die, when I die, we'll be welcomed into heaven for all of eternity. 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:24.880 Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:26.960 And this is the way you'll get there. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:29.839 I'll send my son to die for you on the cross. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:33.119 You put your faith and trust in him, you'll be with me forever. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.880 Friend, you need to make a choice. 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.880 The choice is up to you. 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:52.079 It would be our desire today, and if you've not made that choice before, that you own that for yourself, go from death to life, some darkness to light, from a place called hell to eternity in heaven. 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:58.319 Well, we studied also, boy, the ritual of the Passover. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:02.880 We looked at the results of the Passover, including how it affects each one of us. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:06.559 But what is our responsibility with the Passover? 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:14.880 We know the story, we know the prototype, but now what are we called to do with this Passover story? 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:21.680 We understand that the Old Testament, the sacrificial lamb in Exodus 12 is Jesus of the New Testament. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:26.799 We get that picture, what Jesus would do, but that's what he did. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:29.359 What are we called to do? 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.640 What is our responsibility? 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:39.039 Well, I believe we have a twofold responsibility with the gospel, with this story. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:45.039 And the first one is I believe that you and I need to be prepared to share this boldly. 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:49.359 Moses said, look in verse 26 of Exodus 12. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:55.440 Moses said, when the children ask, why are we celebrating this Passover rite? 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:58.160 Why are we doing this response, this ritual here? 00:26:58.319 --> 00:27:05.440 When the children ask, be ready to give an account for what happened on behalf of us to save us. 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:14.720 Friends, we have the same responsibility in 2019 and subsequent to be willing to share the good news of the gospel. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:17.680 We bear that responsibility. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.880 Picture with me. 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:28.400 The scripture that we read today in Exodus 12 says the first couple of verses said that God gave the plan to Moses. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.960 Then we picked it up in verse 21. 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:35.039 Moses turned around and gave it to the elders of Israel. 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:40.559 There was no cell phones, there was no social media, there was no post office or mail. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:44.559 And so those elders had to get it to everybody else in the nation of Israel. 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:46.720 We've been enslaved for hundreds of years. 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:48.079 God's got a plan. 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.119 He gave it to Moses. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.400 Moses gave it to me. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.599 I'm giving it to you. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.640 Spread the word. 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:55.759 Tell everyone we're about to be saved. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.920 Share it boldly. 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:02.000 Can you just picture this scenario? 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:10.720 Having received the word from the elders, one of the Jews and their family, they got their lamb, they kept it for two weeks. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.720 They go out and slaughter it. 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:17.920 They put the blood in a basin, and now picture them in front of their home. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:24.160 They've dipped the hyssop in that blood, and they're up there putting it on the doorpost. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:26.160 The Passover is about to happen. 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:28.000 They're putting it on the doorpost. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:36.880 Another Jewish family comes by and says, Hey neighbor, what you doing? 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:42.559 What's with all that red stuff? 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:44.240 What you doing? 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.720 And they say nothing. 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:54.720 Those people have been enslaved for 400 years. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:57.920 God had a plan and a way. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:00.319 You dip the blood. 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:04.400 You put it on your doorpost because tonight. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.359 Hey neighbor, what you doing? 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:11.759 What's with all that blood? 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.240 And you say nothing. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:24.400 Friends, I submit that we have a moral responsibility. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:29.039 We have a biblical, great commission, responsibility. 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:32.880 To share him boldly. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:38.880 Christ died so that we could live eternally. 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:43.359 We are surrounded by people who don't know the story. 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.920 We've been told the story. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:52.240 When the children ask, be ready to give an account of the hope that lies within you. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:57.119 We need to share him boldly. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:30:02.480 Secondly, I believe we have a responsibility because of the Passover. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:07.519 We have a responsibility to walk in a manner worthy. 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:12.160 We have a responsibility to walk in a manner worthy. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:16.640 We understand this on this Memorial Day weekend. 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:22.000 Maybe many of you have, like me, gone to Arlington National Cemetery. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:26.640 And you've seen the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown. 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:38.400 That tomb holding the remains of those that laid down their lives so we could have freedom, that tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:50.799 Despite the weather, those soldiers are walking in a manner worthy of the sacrifice that was made on their behalf. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:57.440 Walking worthy, living a life doesn't buy you salvation. 00:30:57.839 --> 00:31:02.799 No matter what you do as a worthy life here, that doesn't buy us anything with God. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:10.960 But as a result of what God has already done for us, we ought to walk in a manner worthy. 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:14.480 In fact, Paul the Apostle tells us that. 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:20.240 In the book of Ephesians, six chapters, the first three, are all about who we are in Christ. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:24.240 It really lays incredible things of who we are if you belong to Christ. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:29.920 But then in chapters four, five, and six says, as a result of who we are in Christ, this is what we ought to be like. 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.200 This is what we ought to do. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:34.400 And he starts in chapter four, verse one with this verse. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.359 It's powerful. 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:45.680 Paul says, I therefore, in other words, as a result of everything I've taught you in the first three chapters of what Christ did for us and who we are, he says, I therefore urge you. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:47.119 I'm a prisoner of the Lord. 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:51.519 I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.440 Walk in a manner worthy. 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:57.119 Salvation is free, but friends, it's not cheap. 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:59.200 Somebody died for your salvation. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:01.039 Its name is Jesus. 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:12.400 We're stopping and pausing this Memorial Day weekend to reflect upon the lives that were given for our freedom. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:16.079 It's a picture of the gospel. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:26.799 That we would pause and reflect about what Christ has done for us, and as a result, we walk and live differently. 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:30.400 How we live does not get us salvation. 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:36.000 How we live reflects our thankfulness for our salvation. 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:44.000 In a very tangible way, our family learned this very lesson a little over six years ago. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:49.119 It was on the 23rd of April 2013. 00:32:50.480 --> 00:33:00.799 Our youngest son Justin, who is now an Army captain, was leaving as part of the early detachment out of the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York. 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:05.839 And they were headed to Ford Operating Base Shank in eastern Afghanistan. 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:13.359 They had not even been in country two weeks when the Taliban attack against them occurred. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:21.839 It was about 7 o'clock East Coast time when our family received the official phone call from the United States Army. 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.359 That will sober you. 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:33.599 Calling us to tell us that our son Justin had been seriously wounded in combat operations in eastern Afghanistan. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:37.440 He was the only survivor. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:41.519 His two friends were killed with him instantly. 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:50.480 In fact, had they not taken the direct hit, our son would have been much more seriously wounded. 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:57.920 His two friends made the sacrifice so that he could live. 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:04.960 Someone died so that he is still alive today. 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.320 It's a picture of the gospel. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:10.639 It's a picture of the Passover. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:16.159 Blood was shed so that you could live. 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:26.159 I will tell you now that as a result of my son's significant injuries, he walks a lot different physically. 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:31.039 But he also walks a lot different spiritually. 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:44.239 Paul says, I therefore, the prison of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling by which you have been called. 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:53.840 Moses said, when the children ask, be ready to give an account of the hope that lies within you. 00:34:56.960 --> 00:35:01.519 Remember this day. 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:15.760 Sometime back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four Marines who had died while on active duty. 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:21.599 I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of servicemen. 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:25.119 For we're never quite good enough to. 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.920 Not really. 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.760 We can't be. 00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:34.639 Because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay. 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:41.599 So when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the hole. 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.679 All we can do is remember. 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:54.800 It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars are away. 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:57.679 Imagination plays a trick. 00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:02.079 We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:06.639 We see them as something like the founding fathers, great and red-haired. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:11.920 But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives. 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:16.559 The one they were living and the one they would have lived. 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:21.760 When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:26.159 They gave up their chance to be revered old men. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:31.840 They gave up everything for our country, for us. 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:34.880 We owe them a debt we can never repay. 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:43.119 All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us. 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:07.519 Go now in his grace and peace. 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:13.360 You have been listening to Emmanuel. 00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:17.840 You can find more resources like this at ibcva.com. 00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:20.320 Here is a parting word from Pastor Jesse. 00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:29.440 If you have any questions about what you heard today, or if you want to learn more about what it means to follow Christ, please visit our church website, ibcva.com. 00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:32.719 If you're not a member of a local church and you live in the Washington, D.C. 00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:35.679 area, we'd love to have you worship with us, Dirty Manual. 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:37.760 We're located in Northern Virginia. 00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:41.840 And for more information about when and where we worship, check out our church website. 00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:44.960 I hope to personally meet you this Sunday after our service. 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:50.880 But no matter where you live, it's our hope that everyone who uses this resource gets involved in their own local church. 00:38:51.199 --> 00:38:52.719 Now may God bless you this week. 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.559 Jesus constantly. 00:38:54.800 --> 00:38:58.000 Serve the Lord faithfully and share the gospel forward with you.