Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 13, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
LIFE BEGINS AT THE PASSOVER
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1-13
Text: Exodus 12:2
Exodus 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Introduction: Last Sunday night I pointed out in a message that Jesus is our Passover Lamb, even as the scripture states:
1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Since Jesus said:
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
I feel justified in taking the time this morning to endeavor to point out an interesting expression in the account of the institution of the passover, found in our text:
Exodus 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
The month of the Passover was Abib, later called Nivan, occurring about our March 21. This month was to be to the Jews the BEGINNING of months. The Jews numbered their months beginning at the Passover. The Passover was significant because it commemorated the escape of Israel from Egypt and their new lease on life as a nation.
Today, life begins at CALVARY. By that I mean that when you hear the gospel and trust Christ as your Savior, God gives you eternal life. Until that time you are dead in trespasses and sins, and real life begins. Since Christ is our passover, and since real life begins with HIM today, I’ve titled this morning’s message
LIFE BEGINS AT THE PASSOVER
I. JESUS, OUR PASSOVER IS THE PRINCE OF LIFE
Acts 3:14-15 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
A. The Prince of life was slain
1. By wicked men
2. By murderers
3. By religious men
B. The Prince of life shed His blood
1. The life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11)
2. See Hebrews 9:22
3. Christ’s blood HAD to be shed
C. The Prince of life sacrificed His life so that you and I might live
II. JESUS, OUR PASSOVER, IS THE PROTECTOR OF LIFE
Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
A. There was a common danger to Jews and Gentiles
1. See Romans 3:10,23; 6:23; Hebrews 9:27
B. There was a certain decision to be made
1. Apply the blood
2. Today – Acts 16:29-31
C. There was a complete deliverance available
III. JESUS, OUR PASSOVER, IS THE PROVIDER OF LIFE
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
A. He provides and existing life
1. Eternal life is a present possession (John 5:24)
B. He provides everlasting life
C. He provides enjoyable life
1. See John 10:10b
IV. JESUS, OUR PASSOVER, IS THE PROMISE OF LIFE TO COME
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
A. There will be a return!
B. There will be a resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
1. Selective – “the dead IN CHRIST”
2. This is part of the FIRST resurrection
C. There will be a Rapture
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |