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Getting Passed Over (Exodus 12)
These are the pastors actual sermon notes. Depending on time, the Holy Spirit, and how thing go in the church service the actual sermon may vary.
– Have you ever been “passed over” for something?
– You put in the hard work, and you’ve earned this! But you were not chosen.
– Sometimes it is a good thing when you don’t get what you earned or deserve.
– We’ve been in the book of John, where Jesus has been crucified for the forgiveness of OUR sins.
– We did not get the death we have earned or deserved.
– Because of His blood, we have been passed over!
Scripture set-up (Exodus 12:12-14):
– 1500 years before Jesus, the Hebrews have been slaves in Egypt for over 400 years.
– They were not always slaves:
– Joseph (son of Jacob, as in “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”) gained favor, saved them all from famine years, became a great leader, and brought his whole family to Egypt.
– When Joseph died, the Pharaohs forgot about him, and enslaved his ancestors.
– Moses has now come to set God’s people free, and brought 9 plagues upon the land.
– Pharaoh, thinks he is equal to a god, and his pride won’t let him free the people.
– Exodus 11:10, Moses and Aaron performed these miracles in Pharaoh’s presence, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let the Israelites leave the country.
– “Hardened Pharaoh’s heart…”, parts of speech meaning, “God allowed his hard to become hardened.”
– This is the 10th plague, and by far the worst! Death of every first born son. From the Pharaoh’s own son, to the lowliest slave’s, to include even every animal.
– God’s people had been protected from all the other plagues, with no action required, but…
– We know that sin brings death, and cannot be ignored! And only innocent blood can make atonement for death. Each family must sacrifice a lamb, and spread the blood over the door.
* Exodus 12:12-14, 12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! 13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.
- The Passover is a BIG deal:
– God was very detailed and specific about what he required in Exodus chapter 12:
– Verse 1, “While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt…”
– This “rescue from death” happened before they were rescued from slavery. They were “set free” while still in their circumstances!
– Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were “untied and walking around” inside the blazing furnace. Christ didn’t bring them out of the furnace, he gave them peace inside it!
– Romans 5:3, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Israel could have used some of that in the desert.)
– Verse 3, “…each family must choose a lamb for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.”
– Calling for an individual choice. Each must participate, sacrifice, and take special care to follow the requirements of God in order to be saved.
– Verse 6, “… the whole assembly of the community must…”
– This calls for coordinated, group participation. Individual AND corporate obedience!
– Verse 25-27, “When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.”
– They will be in charge of passing on the meaning and significance to the next generation.
– Their hearts were moved to worship! This shows that they understand the great magnitude of the moment!
– All of Egypt’s first born we killed, but those who brushed the lamb’s blood on their door were passed over, and saved from death.
- How quickly we forget:
– (read) Exodus 32:1-6
– The people had been in the desert for 2 months (since the Passover, plagues, Red Sea, etc…), Moses went up the mountain and was gone for 40 days and nights.
– God had done many miracles before them that had moved their hearts to worship Him.
– Wasn’t there anyone who thought this was a bad idea? Did all the people agree to this?
– The people and culture just agreed on a socially acceptable truth.
– This is just “who they are” and have always been… Until God saved them and set them free!!
– Where are the intolerant people who “hate” the golden calf?
– The biggest problem here is the priest Aaron.
– He is supposed to be a spiritual leader, a spokesman for God, an ambassador, accountable to God for the spiritual condition of his people. Why would he allow this!!??
– Aaron saw how excited the people were about it, and he compromised his beliefs to please them.
– Verse 8, “How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live!”
- When does compromise become our culture?
– In Exodus, God makes Himself very clear about His expectations for them in the future:
– Remember this “rescue” every year, and teach your children.
– How long before Passover just became a “Family Day”? Or “Eating Lamb Day”?
– Example: Our holidays, Christmas (presents), Thanksgiving (turkey), Easter (family)
– They had been compromising with the culture in Egypt for over 400 years. Adopting their customs, and values, while their own God disappeared into the background.
– Proverbs 14:12, There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
– What was the Passover meal like when Jesus finally showed up 1500 years later? (Still meaningful?)
- Jesus is OUR Passover lamb!
– John 1:29, The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (This is how Jesus started his ministry.)
– 1 Peter 1:18-19, For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (This is how his ministry ended.)
– Hebrews 9:22, In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
– Only the blood can save you from death. Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin, forever!
– When Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, he confirms God’s plan:
– Matt 26:27-28, 27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
– This references everything that the Passover was about, now made complete in Jesus.
– That’s why we don’t take communion without “examining our hearts”. It’s important to take seriously when we observe this ceremony. Don’t forget the significance of that moment.
- YOU have been passed over!
– “Exodus” derives from a Greek word which mean, “The way out”.
– Jesus, The Lamb of God, has given you a way out of slavery and bondage to sin. And a way in to fellowship with a Holy God.
– The Passover didn’t celebrate political independence, nor did their immediate circumstances change. (Our problems are not political, they are spiritual!)
– The Passover celebrated being saved from death!
– YOU have been passed over because the blood of Jesus Christ has paid the price for your sin!
– Rejoice in your circumstances, because you have not gotten what you deserved, or earned. (wrath and death)
– Phil 4:4-7, 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
– Accept the plan God has created. Be obedient to His commands. Repent of your sins. Allow yourself to be covered by the blood of the Lamb.
– You can be passed over too!
– prayer –