WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:15.580 Turn with me this morning to Exodus chapter 12. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:22.059 We're going to be looking this morning at the story of the Passover, the story of God's 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:27.519 people from which that song, that beautiful offertory they just sang, originates. 00:00:28.419 --> 00:00:34.859 We're talking together as we head towards Easter about images of the cross, getting a 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:41.240 picture of what it is that God has done for us through sending His Son to die and to rise 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:43.500 on Easter from the dead. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:49.840 We're looking at some Old Testament passages that serve as foreshadows, as images that will 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:55.600 help us understand more of what Jesus did and appreciate more fully that climactic event 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:56.939 in all of human history. 00:00:57.520 --> 00:01:03.920 Last week we looked at Leviticus chapter 16 at the Day of Atonement and we saw that Jesus 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:05.780 is our scapegoat. 00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:12.540 The one who's sent away from the presence of God so that we can be welcomed in to God's 00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:13.020 presence. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:20.859 We were focusing on the issue of our being unclean, defiled, not worthy of being near a 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:24.000 holy God, unable to be near Him and live. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:29.599 But God in His grace is determined to dwell with us, isn't He? 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:36.620 He's so committed to that that He sends His Son away to die so that we can come near Him 00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:37.280 and live. 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:43.500 This morning as we prepare to come to the Lord's table, I want us to look back at the 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:44.760 first Passover. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:50.840 To think specifically about not just our uncleanness and being defiled, but our sin. 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:55.299 To think about our sin and the problem that it creates for us. 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:59.620 How the cross of Christ addresses the problem of our sin. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:05.800 Before we read, remember the context of this fateful night for God's people. 00:02:06.420 --> 00:02:11.140 They have been slaves in Egypt for years and years. 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:14.800 And God has raised up Moses to go to Pharaoh. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:16.379 And what's Moses going to tell Pharaoh? 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:19.379 Let my people go. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:23.080 And Pharaoh refuses over and over. 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:26.400 Pharaoh refuses to let his slaves go. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:31.879 And he and the Egyptians have suffered through nine terrible plagues already. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:38.800 Where God puts on display His power over creation and over all the other gods of Egypt. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:45.759 But still, Pharaoh refuses to release the slaves to let God's people go. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:48.819 And so God threatens one final plague. 00:02:49.460 --> 00:02:55.340 The death of the firstborn of every household and every animal in the land of Egypt. 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:58.580 And God comes to His people and He says, 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:01.400 And here's what I want you to do in light of that. 00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:02.800 You're going to take a lamb. 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:06.240 And what we were just singing about in that song. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:07.719 You're going to put His blood on the door. 00:03:07.980 --> 00:03:11.620 And let's read about what God says to His people. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:13.740 Exodus 12. 00:03:13.860 --> 00:03:15.240 We'll start at verse 12. 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:17.680 We'll read verses 12 and 13 right now. 00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:20.860 This is God's word to His people. 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:25.120 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:28.800 And I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:30.200 Both man and beast. 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:32.980 And on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. 00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:35.140 I am the Lord. 00:03:36.320 --> 00:03:40.220 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:43.980 And when I see the blood I will pass over you. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:50.139 And no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 00:03:51.099 --> 00:03:52.120 Pray with me. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:57.339 Father, we have sung about this. 00:03:57.579 --> 00:03:59.979 We have read about this. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:04.919 Would You help our hearts to understand Your word. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:11.519 Would we know not just about facts and events that took place many, many centuries ago. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:18.319 Would we know what You would have them to mean and to do in our hearts today. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:23.019 Would You show us Jesus again clearly this morning. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:26.960 And would You give us joy in what He has done for us. 00:04:27.400 --> 00:04:29.019 We ask it in His name. 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:30.300 Amen. 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:38.199 I am not probably the most skittish person in the world when it comes to blood. 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:43.779 But I am enough skittish that I would not be a good surgeon. 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:44.599 Okay. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:47.979 The sight of too much blood makes me a little bit queasy. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:48.779 Anybody else? 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:49.539 Am I? 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:49.839 Yeah. 00:04:49.899 --> 00:04:50.099 Okay. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:51.300 Many of us. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:53.480 That's just not our thing. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:59.860 I remember going with my wife when she was pregnant with Caitlin to all of those prenatal 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:00.339 appointments. 00:05:00.539 --> 00:05:03.099 It seemed like the thing that a loving husband would do. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:03.419 Right. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:06.540 And they kept drawing blood every time. 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:10.300 And I'd have to find a wall to kind of lean against while that happened. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:13.540 Because I was a little lightheaded watching that. 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:18.740 So we eventually decided that while it sounded like the loving husband thing to do. 00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:23.300 That maybe making sure Christy didn't go to the hospital for me when she was the one pregnant 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:25.180 was wise. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:29.020 Just keep your distance a little bit during that part of the appointments. 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:36.120 I think part of my discomfort with blood comes from the fact that I so rarely have to deal 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:36.519 with it. 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:43.599 I'm protected in many ways from many of the bloody parts of life that most societies for 00:05:43.599 --> 00:05:49.419 generations and generations in the history of human society would have had to face just 00:05:49.419 --> 00:05:50.139 for survival. 00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:52.259 Just to eat day in and day out. 00:05:52.859 --> 00:05:56.159 My hamburger is made for me most often. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:06:01.080 I don't think that I've ever met a cow that I also knew as a hamburger. 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:04.820 I don't walk through that whole process. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:08.220 But in an agrarian society this would be very different. 00:06:08.400 --> 00:06:08.520 Right. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:11.760 Blood would be much more common. 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:17.060 In ancient Israel blood would have been even more commonplace because of all the sacrifices 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.000 that were going on. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:18.220 Right. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:21.300 Constantly they're making these sacrifices. 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:22.320 They're seeing them. 00:06:22.760 --> 00:06:25.020 They're seeing blood very regularly. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:29.539 And what blood meant in that culture was life. 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:35.759 It's often very helpful to realize that when you're studying the Old Testament that blood 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:39.479 represents life which makes sense doesn't it? 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:45.120 Our bodies without blood in them are dead. 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:47.199 Lifeless. 00:06:48.359 --> 00:06:51.599 Blood is a matter of life and death isn't it? 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:56.620 And that's actually why blood comes up in the story of the Passover. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:00.879 Because this is a story about life and death. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:07.640 The sin of the idolatrous unjust Egyptians has caught the attention of God. 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:12.379 And in a unique way his just judgment has begun to be unleashed on them. 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:18.300 And flies and boils and locusts and darkness. 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.959 And now death itself. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.439 Look at verse 12. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.659 I will pass through the land of Egypt that night. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:29.719 And I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:30.939 Both man and beast. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:33.860 And on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:36.259 I am the Lord. 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:38.259 I am Yahweh. 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:44.019 And I will come and the firstborn in every home in Egypt. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:48.339 And in every livestock in Egypt will die. 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:54.500 Yahweh is a just God who punishes sin. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:58.779 God's just judgment on sin is certain. 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:02.839 This verse is assuring us of that. 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:03.899 It will happen. 00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:08.699 He will come and He will judge and He will bring death. 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:13.939 In fact if you flip forward to verse 29 we read what happened that Passover night. 00:08:14.679 --> 00:08:18.259 At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:21.159 From the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:23.659 To the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.839 And all the firstborn of the livestock. 00:08:26.739 --> 00:08:28.279 And Pharaoh rose up in the night. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:30.379 He and all his servants and all the Egyptians. 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:32.840 And there was a great cry in Egypt. 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:37.100 For there was not a house where someone was not dead. 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:39.000 Can you imagine that? 00:08:40.300 --> 00:08:42.300 Across the whole nation of Egypt. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:45.660 Not a house in which someone was not dead. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:49.480 Death has come in this passage. 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:55.639 Mankind's rebellion against God has always been a matter of life and death. 00:08:55.800 --> 00:08:57.440 All the way back to the garden, right? 00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:02.620 Where Adam and Eve are told you must not eat of the fruit of this tree. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:04.160 Or you will what? 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:06.580 Surely die. 00:09:07.400 --> 00:09:10.180 In the New Testament, Romans 6.23. 00:09:10.180 --> 00:09:14.420 We find out that the wages of sin is death. 00:09:15.160 --> 00:09:19.000 It is what our sin earns us with a holy God. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:23.539 We are turning in our sin from the one who gives life. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:26.659 The one who created it and gives life to all. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:28.960 And we are choosing death. 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.620 God says. 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:31.980 That's what we've earned. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.139 That's what we deserve. 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:35.059 That's what a wage is. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:44.399 Another way to say it would be to say that the blood of sinners is demanded by the just God of the universe. 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:47.279 It must be taken. 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:49.639 Their life is forfeit. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:53.139 They're facing the punishment due for their sin. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:57.019 That's where we all find ourselves, isn't it? 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.740 Not just the Egyptians. 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.699 In a scary place. 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.079 Facing the punishment of our sins. 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:12.639 Jonathan Edwards described it as sinners in the hands of an angry God in a famous sermon of his. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:16.919 That there we are and we've earned God's wrath. 00:10:17.319 --> 00:10:21.600 A God who promises by his very character to punish sin. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:24.919 To punish those who are convicted and are guilty. 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:27.840 And we stand as such. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:32.039 For those of us who are sinners by nature. 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:35.879 For every selfish desire. 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:38.679 For every careless word. 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:40.679 For every neglected duty. 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:43.579 We deserve to die. 00:10:43.739 --> 00:10:49.419 It is our blood that is demanded by the just God of the universe. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:57.299 My campus minister in college used this picture to describe our situation. 00:10:57.699 --> 00:11:00.079 I don't have a lot of object lessons. 00:11:00.219 --> 00:11:03.919 I'm just not really good at that as a teacher in general. 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:07.620 But this is one of them that had an impact on me. 00:11:07.699 --> 00:11:10.779 Kids, you can probably help us with this object lesson this morning. 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:11.740 What's this? 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:13.399 Can you see what this is? 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.159 This is an egg. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.299 It's a white egg. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:19.079 You don't really know what's inside, do you? 00:11:19.219 --> 00:11:19.719 For sure. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.199 But this is an egg. 00:11:21.339 --> 00:11:24.699 And this egg is a lot like we are. 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:27.639 As sinners before God. 00:11:27.719 --> 00:11:30.240 We may look nice and clean on the outside. 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.319 It's white, isn't it? 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:33.400 Nice and shiny and clean. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.040 But we are sinners. 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:38.440 We like to do things our own way. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:42.120 We have hateful thoughts in our heads. 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:44.800 We say things to others that are unkind. 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:46.640 Things that are untrue. 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:48.700 We're sinners. 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:52.360 Even though we sometimes look good on the outside. 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:53.680 We are sinners. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:58.839 And so the hammer of God's wrath. 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:03.039 Yes, see, this is also helpful because we used hammers at the work day. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.399 But I didn't really know what they were for. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:06.799 The rest of the guys knew what to do with them. 00:12:06.979 --> 00:12:08.779 I'm going to use them for a sermon illustration. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:15.500 But the hammer of God's wrath is what we deserve for our sin. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:23.240 That He's just and God punishes sinners who say unkind things and who do things their own way. 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:25.879 And who have hateful thoughts in their hearts. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:31.279 It is certain that God's wrath will come down on sin, isn't it? 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.980 He promises that it will. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:35.440 God must punish sin. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.919 That's who He is. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:44.219 And so, kids, how do you think it goes when the hammer of God's wrath comes down on us sinners? 00:12:44.459 --> 00:12:45.419 When it smashes? 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:48.939 We'll wait for that. 00:12:49.459 --> 00:12:50.659 What would have happened? 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.479 How would the egg have done? 00:12:53.939 --> 00:13:00.259 How do sinners fare in light of the hammer of God's wrath towards their sin? 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.659 It would crush us, wouldn't it? 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:07.639 It would destroy us and no one would ever sit on the front row of church again. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:10.879 Although that's not a problem already. 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:13.899 These aren't the ones y'all fight over, are they? 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:14.419 Right up here. 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.259 You didn't even know I was doing this. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:22.240 But that's what would happen is that God's wrath would crush us. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:24.199 It is coming towards us. 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.980 It's coming down on our sin. 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.600 And then it stops. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:33.620 Because there's something else going on in this story of the Passover, isn't there? 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:38.899 What happens as God has promised that the angel of death is coming? 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:45.000 That He's coming to take blood, to kill for sin. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:48.759 God has a plan for His people. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:51.279 He tells every family to do what? 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:59.579 To take a one-year-old lamb without blemish or defect, to get that pure, spotless lamb, 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:02.039 to kill it. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:06.220 And to take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts of their houses. 00:14:06.339 --> 00:14:08.259 It looks kind of like that second panel. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.059 Sorry, go back for just a second. 00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:12.799 It looks just like that second panel up there. 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:15.679 Some blood on the doorposts of the house, right? 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:20.759 That's what they're going to do with the blood of the lamb that each family has killed. 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:26.120 And so what did God promise would happen when they did that? 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:27.399 Verse 13 again. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:31.579 The blood is going to be a sign for you on the houses where you are. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:35.459 And when I see the blood, I will pass over you. 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:39.979 And no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:41.679 What does God say to His people? 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:45.939 When I see the blood, I will pass over you. 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:51.319 Instead of the angel of death coming in to take the life of the firstborn, 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.059 he will pass over. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:55.339 That's where we get the word Passover, right? 00:14:56.199 --> 00:15:00.639 The angel of death would see the blood and pass over those homes. 00:15:00.839 --> 00:15:02.779 The homes of God's people. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.899 No firstborn son would die. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:11.059 No person at all would die in that home. 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:14.519 But a lamb would die, wouldn't it? 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:20.539 In every home where no person would die, a lamb would die. 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:25.399 So that his blood could be put on the door frames of the house. 00:15:26.359 --> 00:15:29.979 It would die in place of the firstborn son. 00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:35.759 The lamb would be the substitute and would protect the firstborn son from death. 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:38.179 Because blood had to be shed. 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:47.839 But God graciously accepts the blood of a substitute in place of the one whose blood deserved to be shed. 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:54.819 In other words, when we look at the cross and think about what's happening on the cross of Christ, 00:15:55.339 --> 00:15:58.620 even though God's judgment for sin is certain, 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:03.319 Christ's death for sin is sufficient. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:09.860 Just as the blood of the lamb protected all these firstborn sons in Israel, 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:15.640 so the blood of the lamb covers us from God's wrath. 00:16:16.540 --> 00:16:18.800 Back to the egg for just a second. 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.720 Here we are sinners, right? 00:16:22.020 --> 00:16:24.820 Facing God's just wrath. 00:16:25.020 --> 00:16:25.980 He's coming. 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:29.400 His wrath has to crush us for our sin. 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:31.980 And then something else happens. 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:37.139 And then Jesus comes. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:45.319 And instead of the hammer of God's wrath coming down on sinners and crushing them because of their sin, 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:52.240 Jesus on the cross receives the wrath of God poured out on Him for sin. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:56.039 What deserved to hit us instead is poured out on Jesus. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:17:04.740 And the full weight of God's wrath comes crashing down on Jesus on the cross. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:10.660 It was the will of God to crush Him and cause Him to suffer. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:19.340 So that those of us who are protected by the blood of the lamb are safe. 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:24.620 Because the hammer didn't stop, but someone else stood in the way. 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:28.160 Someone else's blood was shed. 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:30.519 We are saved by what? 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:33.440 By the blood of the lamb, right? 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:35.720 That's what saves us. 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:37.519 Not because we were strong. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:41.039 Not because we were better than the next guy. 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:43.519 Not because we held up to God's scrutiny. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:48.599 But because the blood of the lamb covers us. 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:52.440 Put the blood of the lamb on the doorway. 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.859 And death will pass right over. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.440 That was Israel's hope. 00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:00.480 That's our hope. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:03.740 That it's the blood of the lamb that protects us. 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:08.019 You see, as we look at the cross and as we wonder at what Jesus has done, 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:11.680 we've got to realize that the hammer of God's wrath is coming. 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:14.440 It's serious because of our sin. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:18.480 Some people have suggested that the death of Jesus on the cross 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:21.579 was just a way to set a good example for us. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:28.519 Or that it was a way for God to teach us about sin and about sacrificial love. 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.599 And we should learn some things from it. 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:37.559 But in fact, the story of Passover reminds us that our blood was on the line. 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:41.079 Not just us learning some new information. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:44.559 The wrath of God against our sin was great. 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:48.939 And He poured it out on Jesus instead of on us. 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:56.119 He crushed His Son on the cross instead of crushing us. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:19:01.759 That's what happens when Jesus goes to the cross. 00:19:01.899 --> 00:19:03.759 When He sheds His blood. 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:10.179 God takes Jesus' blood as full payment for our great debt. 00:19:11.179 --> 00:19:14.639 It's Hebrews in talking about these things that reminds us that 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.639 without the shedding of blood, 00:19:17.459 --> 00:19:19.939 there is no forgiveness of sins. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.659 Blood has to be shed, right? 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:27.140 There has to be a Lamb if you're going to survive the Passover night. 00:19:27.540 --> 00:19:33.040 And for us, there's a Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.140 John chapter 1. 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:39.040 You may be familiar with the way 1 Peter writes about it. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:46.560 That Jesus comes and it's not that we were ransomed from the ways we'd inherited from our fathers 00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:49.060 with perishable things like silver or gold. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.960 What ransoms us? 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.819 What pays our penalty? 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:56.659 The precious blood of Christ. 00:19:56.919 --> 00:20:00.919 Like that of a Lamb without blemish or spot. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:05.500 That's what protects you. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:07.779 It's the blood of the Lamb. 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:10.980 What can wash away my sins? 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:16.359 What can protect me from the wrath of God? 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:22.199 What can rescue me from eternal death and provide for me life? 00:20:23.679 --> 00:20:27.119 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:31.939 It is absolutely sufficient for the worst sinner. 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:36.159 While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:39.099 So where the blood of the Lamb covers the sinner, 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:42.399 there is no condemnation any longer. 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:44.320 For anything you've done in the past, 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:47.040 for anything you will do in the future, 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:53.820 the blood of Jesus has protected you from the wrath of God for your sin. 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:58.820 Before we celebrate this at the Lord's table, 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:04.740 let me apply this truth to at least three areas of our lives. 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:09.740 Three times when seeing this aspect of the cross, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:13.339 the blood of Christ covering us from God's wrath 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:19.160 and offering us life instead of death really transforms us. 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:24.640 I think the first area it helps us is when we're spiritually dry. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.740 Like my throat. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:32.099 When you feel little passion for God, 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:35.419 when you get to those places in your life 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:40.519 where you just don't get passionate about anything spiritual, 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.959 the zeal is not there. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:47.599 There's no joy at all toward the things of God. 00:21:47.959 --> 00:21:49.939 Maybe other things are creeping in 00:21:49.939 --> 00:21:52.419 and they're starting to seem more valuable to you, 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.679 more important, 00:21:54.459 --> 00:21:56.339 to be more worthy of your time. 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:58.399 You know you're always worshipping, right? 00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:00.959 We're always worshipping something. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.799 And we go through those seasons 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:06.900 where the worship of our hearts is not going towards God, 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.740 that other things seem more valuable 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.200 or we treasure them more 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:12.840 or we love them more. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.319 So maybe your heart is longing 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:19.240 for any number of things other than God 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.539 and being with Him. 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:24.000 Maybe you're tired of trusting God 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:27.480 like perhaps the Israelites in Egypt may have been. 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:31.579 Years upon years without seeing any results 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:35.279 and you're tired and you're down because of that. 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.960 You're just spiritually dry. 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:39.420 You know what that feels like. 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:43.279 God's deliverance of His people 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.940 at the Passover 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.759 becomes the source 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.240 through the rest of the Old Testament 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.759 until the cross of Jesus. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.920 That deliverance at the Passover 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.059 becomes the source 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:55.179 of their praise and worship of God. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:57.399 They look back to it constantly 00:22:57.399 --> 00:23:00.259 and it brings them to praise Him. 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.980 It starts just on the other side of the Red Sea, 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.519 doesn't it? 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:06.139 When they start writing and singing songs 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:08.099 celebrating God's deliverance. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.579 And then every year at Passover, 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:13.220 they stop and they celebrate it again. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:16.000 God has delivered them from captivity. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:18.960 One psalm after another 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:21.420 that they sing every Sabbath day 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.500 references this great redemption 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.220 and the blood of the Lamb 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.799 through which they were spared. 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:30.460 Are you spiritually dry today? 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:33.960 Has your zeal for God waned? 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.980 Has your passion for His worship 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.500 seemed to disappear? 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.700 You just don't feel anything at all. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:44.480 Come see the cross again this morning. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.940 Get a fresh glimpse 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:48.680 of what Jesus has done for you. 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:51.299 How God has delivered you eternally 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:53.579 through the blood of the Lamb. 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:56.000 One of the things I love about this church 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:58.380 is that's the theme of all of our worship 00:23:58.380 --> 00:24:00.440 when we gather corporately every week. 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:03.240 That it's what God has done for us in Christ 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.380 to deliver us 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:06.839 and we gather to praise Him for that 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.839 and to rejoice and encourage each other 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.539 because of it. 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:12.779 The good news of our deliverance 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.779 through our substitute 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:17.180 ask God this morning to renew your zeal 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:19.599 to enliven your heart again 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:22.359 at the marvel of your deliverance 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:25.319 from the hammer of His wrath 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:28.240 by the blood of the Lamb. 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:32.279 So we need this glimpse of the cross 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:34.220 when we're spiritually dry 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:37.299 but also when we're spiritually proud. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:39.940 When do you get spiritually proud? 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.879 There's almost always something going on 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.079 when that starts to happen. 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:48.159 You're usually comparing yourselves to others. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.419 Right? 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:52.500 That's where spiritual pride comes from. 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:54.299 We compare ourselves to others 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:56.019 and we start to feel strong 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:58.940 or at least stronger than you 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:01.220 or worthy 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:04.840 or at least worthier than someone else 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:06.240 we happen to have in mind. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.680 And perhaps it's what Israel 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.860 would have been tempted to feel 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.960 coming out of Egypt 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.940 and entering the promised land 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:15.340 that they were better than these other nations. 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.779 Right? 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.340 Perhaps they were spared 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:20.160 because even though they weren't perfect 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:22.300 they weren't like that politician 00:25:22.300 --> 00:25:25.040 or they weren't like those other parents 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:26.560 who do things that way. 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.940 Maybe they walked into the promised land 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.580 and looked around 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:30.800 and look at the leaders 00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:32.019 of these other nations 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.259 immoral kings 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:35.759 leading their people into idolatry 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:38.060 and they began to feel 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:39.500 a little bit better about themselves. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.400 Look at these parents 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:42.900 and the nations around us 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:44.400 and what they do with their children 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:46.200 sacrificing children to idols. 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.080 Awful. 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:50.000 And they felt like pretty good parents. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:52.800 They started to feel strong. 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:56.320 And Passover is intended to remind them 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:59.660 that Yahweh alone is the strong one. 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:02.000 That He is the one 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.340 who brought them out of Egypt 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:04.820 with a strong hand 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:06.759 and an outstretched arm. 00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:09.940 It is the Lord's Passover. 00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:11.420 Verse 27. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.140 Verse 51 says 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:15.580 Yahweh brought us out. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.000 That's what we celebrate. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.440 That's what we tell our children. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:21.000 Yahweh brought us out. 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:23.559 You know, sometimes we kind of think 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:25.700 our eggshells a little bit stronger 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:27.940 and brighter and shinier than others. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.440 You know, we've been working on it. 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.580 We've done some good things. 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:33.460 We certainly haven't been to the places 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.440 that others have. 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:36.559 And so maybe we're looking 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.860 a little bit better than them. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:41.419 How much is that going to help? 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:46.159 Does it matter how white the eggshell is? 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:49.439 Is it feeling a little bit thicker than some? 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:51.000 I mean, what about if I hard-boiled it? 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.979 Would that make a huge difference? 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.500 Maybe only for the people on the front row. 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:59.400 We weren't saved because our eggshell 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:01.039 was a bit brighter 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:04.039 or a little stronger than most others. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.500 Our gracious God saved us. 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:06.880 Why? 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:10.299 The blood of the Lamb. 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:14.420 And our hearts that love to get prideful 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:16.339 need to be reminded of that, don't they? 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:21.959 Last one, last area of our lives 00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:25.159 that I think we need to see this help our hearts. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:27.259 I think it may be the one that would be 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:29.899 most pertinent and most helpful for God's people. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.759 We need to see the Lamb of God 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:36.099 in our place on the cross for our sins 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:38.059 when we're spiritually weak. 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:42.500 Have you ever struggled with doubts 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:44.319 about your salvation? 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:49.799 Do you ever wonder if heaven is really secure? 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:54.399 Are you ever fearful that you're gonna get 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:56.059 what's coming to you one day? 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:58.339 Because of what you know about God, 00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:59.539 you know He's just. 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:02.279 That He punishes sin. 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:04.879 And you know yourself all too well, don't you? 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:07.359 You know the things you've thought 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.399 and the things you've said 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:10.000 and the things you've done. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:12.399 And you start to dwell on that. 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.539 And what you know about God 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.639 and what you know about yourself 00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:15.319 makes you think, 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:18.259 He's gonna find a way to get me. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.500 It's coming somehow. 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:25.339 And you begin to see your sin 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.579 and it's disgusting 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:28.139 and it's discouraging 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:29.500 and it makes you doubt 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.819 maybe your own salvation. 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:34.159 Maybe it happens for you 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:35.439 in seasons of depression. 00:28:37.439 --> 00:28:39.899 Maybe it's the day after you've yelled at your kids 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:41.400 and you feel like such a failure. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:47.019 Maybe it's after a tragedy has happened in your life 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:49.700 and you feel like God's just out to get people 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:52.019 and He's really not the kind of God 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.320 you'd hoped He was 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:55.840 and everything seems dark and hopeless. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.940 You just begin to doubt. 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.160 You're fearful. 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.100 Your faith seems weak. 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:03.599 This is when we need to see 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:06.319 the blood of the Lamb for us again. 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:09.399 A pastor theologian named D.A. Carson 00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:11.619 suggests thinking about it this way. 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.599 I think it's so helpful. 00:29:13.179 --> 00:29:13.480 He says, 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.919 Go back to the first Passover. 00:29:15.459 --> 00:29:16.819 Imagine the afternoon 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:19.159 before that first Passover night 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:21.039 there's two Israelite fathers 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.259 coming in from the field 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.359 talking to each other. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:25.859 And the first one says, 00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:27.599 Hey, how are you feeling about tonight? 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.639 And the second father says, 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.459 How am I feeling about tonight? 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.299 I mean, what do you mean? 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.479 And the first guy says, 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:39.379 Well, I mean this whole angel of death thing. 00:29:39.459 --> 00:29:42.339 I mean, I'm pretty scared about this. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:45.319 There's a lot that's been going on around here lately. 00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:46.359 It's been pretty strange. 00:29:46.479 --> 00:29:48.319 There's been flies and locusts 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.979 and boils and darkness 00:29:49.979 --> 00:29:52.799 and now we hear about this angel of death 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:55.240 and the killing of firstborn sons. 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:58.259 And it just makes me uncomfortable. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.879 I'm pretty nervous about that. 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.899 I love my kids. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:04.059 And the other guy says, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.779 Well, didn't you kill a lamb 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:08.159 and put the blood on the doorposts 00:30:08.159 --> 00:30:09.659 like God told us to? 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.299 And he says, 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:13.200 Well, yeah, yeah, of course I did that. 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:16.299 Of course I put the blood on the doorposts. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.259 I mean, God told us to. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.680 But I gotta tell you, 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:20.000 God's pretty scary. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:22.779 I mean, He's done some pretty amazing things 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.440 and I trust Him. 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.599 I've done what He told us to do. 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.240 But I gotta tell you, 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.920 I'm not gonna sleep real well tonight. 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.740 And the other guy says, 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:33.180 Well, man, I don't get that. 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.440 I'm gonna sleep great tonight. 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:37.180 Yahweh told us what to do. 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:39.440 I did it and I trust Him. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.399 I feel totally comfortable. 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.440 It's just another night. 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.599 I'm gonna sleep like a baby. 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:46.119 There's nothing to worry about. 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:50.419 Fast forward to the next morning 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:51.719 after Passover. 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:55.599 Which one of those fathers 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:56.739 lost His son 00:30:56.739 --> 00:30:58.759 to the angel of death? 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:02.459 Which one had His firstborn son die? 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.819 Neither, right? 00:31:06.979 --> 00:31:07.500 Neither. 00:31:07.959 --> 00:31:09.119 Not the guy who was worried 00:31:09.719 --> 00:31:11.639 and stayed up fretting all night. 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:13.880 Not the guy who slept through the night 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:14.520 peacefully, 00:31:15.040 --> 00:31:16.640 confident in God's promises. 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.580 Why? 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.420 Because the angel of death 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:22.259 passes over both of those homes 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.460 on what basis? 00:31:24.540 --> 00:31:26.820 Because of the blood of the Lamb. 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:29.600 Not because He looks inside 00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:31.040 and the faith of one family 00:31:31.040 --> 00:31:33.140 is stronger than the other. 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:35.300 Not because the family inside 00:31:35.300 --> 00:31:37.660 never has doubts or fears. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.460 No. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:41.720 It's because of the blood 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.840 of the Lamb. 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.720 There's where our assurance 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.080 and confidence rests, 00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:46.680 Christians. 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.519 Right? 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.860 It doesn't change. 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:52.440 You can stand firm in that. 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.800 The blood of the Lamb for you. 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:56.460 That's where your hope is 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:58.440 on your darkest days. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.779 On the days where you doubt the most. 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:02.620 Where you feel the weakest. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.440 When the angel of death 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.640 comes by your house, 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.759 what matters 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:08.140 is the blood 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:09.279 of the Lamb. 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:12.259 When the accuser of the brethren 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.980 comes to your life, 00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:16.519 what matters 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.960 is the blood 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.839 of the Lamb. 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.920 When the anxiety 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:22.640 of your heart 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:24.379 comes to the surface 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:26.200 and you doubt and struggle, 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.980 what matters 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.019 is the blood 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.140 of the Lamb 00:32:29.140 --> 00:32:30.579 for you 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:32.779 in your place. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.700 When I see 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.559 the blood, 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:37.119 I will pass 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.539 over you, 00:32:39.419 --> 00:32:40.159 God says. 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:42.419 Remember again, 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.740 isn't that glorious? 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.619 When I see the blood, 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:47.259 I'm looking for one thing. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.859 I'm looking for the blood 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.940 of my Son 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.419 covering you. 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.759 Remember again, 00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.919 your hope is built 00:32:54.919 --> 00:32:56.599 on nothing less 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:58.539 than Jesus' blood 00:32:58.539 --> 00:33:01.000 and His righteousness. 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.180 Even as you struggle 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:04.539 with doubts, 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:06.019 with fears, 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.759 you can say with me 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.220 this morning, 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.599 believe the promises 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:11.420 of God's Word. 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.879 I need 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:15.599 no other argument. 00:33:16.399 --> 00:33:17.180 I need 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.420 no other plea. 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:20.019 It is enough 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.779 that Jesus died 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:23.539 and that He died 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.759 for me. 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:26.740 that's what 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:28.119 this table 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:29.000 is all about. 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.079 That's why we 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:31.779 love to celebrate it 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:33.099 because this table 00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:34.400 says it's the blood 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.240 of the Lamb 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.619 that brings you 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.460 into relationship 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.220 with God. 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.420 It's the blood 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:39.980 of the Lamb 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.779 that allows you 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:42.339 to have a lousy week 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:44.000 and then walk in here 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.619 and act like 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:46.480 God's okay with you. 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:48.640 Like He loves you. 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.740 Like He wants 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.740 to eat with you. 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:52.079 It's because He looks 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:53.019 and sees the blood 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.779 of the Lamb 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:55.740 on your doorpost 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:57.180 because the blood 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:57.759 of the Lamb 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.500 speaks better 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.240 than anything 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.319 you could have offered. 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.119 His sins are forgiven. 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.779 He's covered. 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:07.000 The full price 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.199 has been paid. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.420 Listen to the way 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.639 Paul describes 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.619 the institution 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.519 of this sacrament 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:14.000 in 1 Corinthians 11. 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.099 Paul says, 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.400 I received from the Lord 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.639 what I also delivered 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.239 to you 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.719 that the Lord Jesus 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.340 on the night 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:21.300 when He was betrayed 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.159 took bread 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.599 and when He had 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.179 given thanks 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:24.879 He broke it 00:34:24.879 --> 00:34:25.299 and said, 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:26.460 This is my body 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.420 which is for you. 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:28.319 Do this 00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:29.659 in remembrance of me. 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.960 In the same way also 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.779 He took the cup 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.480 after supper 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:33.940 saying, 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.739 This cup is the new covenant 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.559 in my blood. 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.819 Do this as often 00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.739 as you drink it 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:40.239 in remembrance of me. 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.119 For as often 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:42.179 as you eat this bread 00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:43.460 and drink the cup 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.460 you proclaim 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.519 the Lord's death 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.980 until He comes. 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:48.039 You proclaim 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.960 not how well 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.559 you've done. 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.699 You proclaim 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.460 not how well 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.119 you intend 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:53.460 to do next week. 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:54.859 You proclaim 00:34:54.859 --> 00:34:56.059 the Lord's death 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.159 when yours 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:57.799 was the one 00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.619 that should have happened. 00:34:59.319 --> 00:35:00.039 You proclaim 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.279 that Jesus died 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:02.339 and shed His blood 00:35:02.339 --> 00:35:03.239 so you wouldn't 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:04.339 have to shed yours. 00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:04.939 Amen? 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:06.919 That's what we do 00:35:06.919 --> 00:35:07.480 at this table. 00:35:07.939 --> 00:35:09.539 That's why we celebrate 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:11.219 the Lord's Supper 00:35:11.219 --> 00:35:12.399 because Jesus 00:35:12.399 --> 00:35:13.419 has shed His blood 00:35:13.419 --> 00:35:14.059 for us. 00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:15.419 Kids, 00:35:15.879 --> 00:35:16.379 you may, 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.179 some of you 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:18.619 who have professed 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.480 faith in Christ 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.440 who've joined the church 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.199 get to celebrate 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:22.039 this with us. 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.619 All of you, 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.359 I want you to think 00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:24.960 about something. 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.039 When God's people 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:27.159 talk about the Passover 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:28.380 it's supposed to teach 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.500 the kids something. 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:32.079 The parents are supposed 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:33.259 to be telling their kids 00:35:33.259 --> 00:35:34.299 this is what happened 00:35:34.299 --> 00:35:35.599 when God delivered us 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.119 from Egypt. 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.619 We do this 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:39.440 because we celebrate 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:40.679 Jesus died 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.719 to deliver us 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.679 from our sins. 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:44.119 It doesn't matter 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:44.960 how old you are, 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:46.159 you can come up 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:46.879 with your parents 00:35:46.879 --> 00:35:47.639 and watch 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:49.379 and see what happens 00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:50.839 and talk with them later 00:35:50.839 --> 00:35:52.199 about what's going on 00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:53.559 and what we celebrate here. 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.739 This table is for 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:57.159 all of those 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:58.420 who have trusted in Christ 00:35:58.420 --> 00:36:00.079 not just Presbyterians, 00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:01.420 for all those 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.539 who've trusted in Him 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.819 and who are actively 00:36:03.819 --> 00:36:04.460 saying, 00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:06.079 I don't want my sin 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.219 to be what represents me 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.519 to God, 00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:08.699 I want the blood of Jesus 00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:10.460 to be what represents me 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.039 to God. 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.299 All of those 00:36:13.299 --> 00:36:14.899 who have joined the church 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:16.200 and who have publicly said, 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.740 this is what I want 00:36:17.740 --> 00:36:19.260 my relationship with God 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:20.300 to be based on. 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:22.519 Come and feast. 00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:24.400 Kids, 00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.599 if you aren't yet 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.220 at that point 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.500 where you've talked 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.280 with an elder 00:36:28.280 --> 00:36:29.400 and where you've become 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.840 a member of the church 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.139 and said, 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:32.619 this is what I believe too, 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.880 we'd love to talk 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.780 with you about that. 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:36.440 We get so excited 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:37.220 when our kids 00:36:37.220 --> 00:36:39.360 understand what's going on here 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:40.400 and know how much 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:41.680 Jesus loves them. 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:44.260 That's why we celebrate this. 00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:46.680 One more thing 00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:47.400 before I pray. 00:36:48.200 --> 00:36:49.780 We come to the Lord's table 00:36:49.780 --> 00:36:51.180 recognizing our sin, 00:36:51.280 --> 00:36:51.460 right? 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:53.220 Why is there blood 00:36:53.220 --> 00:36:54.079 in the first place? 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.860 Why does there have to be, 00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.760 why can't you just 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.660 waltz in here 00:36:57.660 --> 00:36:59.180 and have dinner with God? 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.639 Because of sin, 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:02.119 right? 00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:04.000 Because our sin 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:05.200 separates us from Him 00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:06.500 and blood has to be shed 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.320 to cover that. 00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:08.920 We're going to take 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:09.480 just a moment 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.139 and privately 00:37:10.139 --> 00:37:11.740 consider our sin 00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:13.380 as we come to the table. 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:14.980 We're not going to stop 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:16.240 at considering our sin 00:37:16.240 --> 00:37:17.660 but we're going to start there 00:37:17.660 --> 00:37:19.000 and then let the joy 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.840 of the blood of Christ 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:21.119 covering it be ours. 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.220 Take a moment, 00:37:23.140 --> 00:37:24.180 contemplate your sin, 00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:25.579 confess it to the Father 00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:27.039 and then I'll pray for us. 00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:53.200 Father, all of the things 00:37:53.200 --> 00:37:54.619 that we have just thought about 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:57.619 and prayed and confessed to You 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.400 are true. 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:01.900 It's what we've done. 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.160 It's the ways we've 00:38:03.160 --> 00:38:04.920 wandered from You. 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.079 We're sinful. 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:09.639 But it is even more true 00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:12.639 that we don't stand before You 00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:13.719 with that as our record 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:16.099 but that the blood of the Lamb 00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:19.179 has been shed for our sins. 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:22.219 That it fully washes them away 00:38:22.219 --> 00:38:24.259 so that we stand before You 00:38:24.259 --> 00:38:28.159 perfect and without blemish 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:29.500 in Your sight 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:32.840 because we have the record of Christ. 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:36.260 Would that so encourage our hearts 00:38:36.260 --> 00:38:37.340 when we struggle, 00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:38.559 when we doubt? 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:40.800 As we eat and drink, 00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:42.680 would You encourage our faith 00:38:42.680 --> 00:38:43.720 and strengthen it 00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:45.700 that we might trust You more? 00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.519 Set aside these elements 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:48.420 that they would do that 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:49.180 in our hearts, 00:38:49.280 --> 00:38:50.579 we ask in Jesus' name. 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:51.800 Amen. 00:38:51.800 --> 00:38:54.280 The Lord Jesus, 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:55.440 on the night He was betrayed, 00:38:55.580 --> 00:38:57.039 took bread and He broke it 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:58.560 and gave it to His disciples 00:38:58.560 --> 00:39:00.200 as I'm ministering in His name. 00:39:00.560 --> 00:39:01.740 Give this bread to You. 00:39:01.800 --> 00:39:02.260 And He said, 00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:03.580 take and eat. 00:39:03.680 --> 00:39:04.660 This is My body, 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:06.360 broken for You. 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:08.700 Do this in remembrance of Me. 00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:10.580 In the same way, 00:39:10.640 --> 00:39:11.320 He took the cup 00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:12.200 and said, 00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:13.660 this cup is the new covenant 00:39:13.660 --> 00:39:14.539 in My blood. 00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:15.580 In the old covenant, 00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:16.220 there was blood 00:39:16.220 --> 00:39:17.920 from lots of different animals. 00:39:18.660 --> 00:39:19.760 In the new covenant, 00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.940 it's My blood, 00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:22.559 the blood of one sacrifice 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.720 once for all. 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:25.440 Drink from it, 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.019 all of you. 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:28.360 Remember that I've paid 00:39:28.360 --> 00:39:29.800 your penalty in full. 00:39:30.860 --> 00:39:32.159 The host team will usher you 00:39:32.159 --> 00:39:33.440 forward and back 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.740 and we will celebrate together 00:39:34.740 --> 00:39:35.900 that the blood of the Lamb 00:39:35.900 --> 00:39:37.340 covers our sins. 00:39:40.639 --> 00:39:41.900 For more information, 00:39:42.280 --> 00:39:43.200 visit us online 00:39:43.200 --> 00:39:44.500 at southwood.org. 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:44.659 Take care of it. 00:39:44.880 --> 00:39:45.500 Take care of it on fiancee. 00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:45.960 Bye. 00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:46.820 Bye. 00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:48.460 Bye. 00:39:48.699 --> 00:39:49.039 Bye. 00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:49.559 Bye. 00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:49.900 Bye. 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:53.599 Bye. 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:53.960 Bye. 00:40:11.300 --> 00:40:11.559 Bye. 00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:11.739 Bye. 00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:12.059 Bye. 00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:12.199 Bye. 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:12.659 Bye. 00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:12.780 Bye.