WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:02.379 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:02.800 --> 00:00:07.040 Would you turn with me to Exodus chapter 13 this morning? 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:10.220 That's page 55 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:17.660 We're going to pick up our series in Exodus with Exodus chapter 13. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:32.039 Let's begin by reading verses 3 through 10 of chapter 13. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:33.340 I'll read these for us. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:38.700 Verses 3 through 10, chapter 13. 00:00:39.760 --> 00:00:41.299 Then Moses said to the people, 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:46.799 Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:48.759 out of the house of slavery. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:53.419 For by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:56.179 No leavened bread shall be eaten. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:00.000 Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:03.459 And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:06.319 the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:09.179 which he swore to your fathers to give you, 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:11.519 a land flowing with milk and honey, 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:15.319 you shall keep this service in this month. 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:18.439 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, 00:01:18.699 --> 00:01:21.839 and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. 00:01:23.119 --> 00:01:24.919 Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:27.139 No leavened bread shall be seen with you, 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:29.919 and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. 00:01:31.039 --> 00:01:32.979 You shall tell your son on that day, 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.579 it is because of what the Lord did for me 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:37.019 when I came out of Egypt. 00:01:37.019 --> 00:01:40.679 And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand 00:01:40.679 --> 00:01:43.099 and as a memorial between your eyes 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:45.599 that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:50.399 For with a strong hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt. 00:01:51.179 --> 00:01:53.739 You shall therefore keep this statute 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:57.719 at its appointed time from year to year. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:05.939 Well, I wonder if you would consider yourself 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:08.599 a forgetful person. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:13.520 Of course, sometimes forgetfulness can be funny. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:18.280 Like the man who had a leaking pipe under his sink 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:21.560 and put a bucket under there to start collecting the water. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:24.340 And then when the bucket started to get full, 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:26.960 decided to empty out the bucket into the same sink. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:29.420 Like, don't. 00:02:31.379 --> 00:02:33.340 Sometimes forgetfulness can be a bit embarrassing, 00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:37.280 like when someone asks you the date of your anniversary 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:40.300 and suddenly your mind goes completely blank. 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:42.939 That's never happened to me. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:43.719 Not once. 00:02:44.040 --> 00:02:44.360 Promise. 00:02:46.740 --> 00:02:49.420 But other times forgetfulness can be a bit more serious, 00:02:49.580 --> 00:02:49.980 can't it? 00:02:51.700 --> 00:02:55.180 You forget that this is actually a one-way street 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:57.560 and here I am driving the wrong way. 00:02:58.360 --> 00:03:01.659 Or you forget to turn off the stove 00:03:01.659 --> 00:03:02.939 after cooking breakfast. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:06.020 Or you forget about the big phone call with a client. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:09.800 Sometimes forgetfulness can be pretty serious, 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:10.420 pretty costly. 00:03:10.419 --> 00:03:17.639 And there are times when even forgetfulness can be devastating. 00:03:21.519 --> 00:03:24.759 For example, when an aging parent or an aging spouse 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:27.099 begins to slide into dementia, 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:31.000 forgetting the faces of even their closest loved ones. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:31.500 Forgetfulness. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:34.360 Forgetfulness. 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:38.159 Now, we might not realize it at first, 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:43.120 but forgetfulness is actually one of the greatest dangers 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:44.879 that we face spiritually. 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:48.340 You know, for most of us, 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:52.900 it won't be a massive theological heresy or false teaching 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:56.280 that undermines our relationship with God and with one another. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:03:58.759 For most of us, 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:02.479 it won't be some sort of big overt temptation to immorality 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:03.719 that shipwrecks our faith. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:06.960 No, actually, the much more pervasive 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:09.800 and greater and widespread danger is forgetfulness. 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:14.200 We forget who we really are 00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:16.560 and we forget what God has done 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:20.980 and we forget the story that we're really a part of. 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:26.920 In our passage that we had read earlier in the service 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:28.900 that Suzanne read for us from 2 Peter, 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.480 did you catch why Peter said 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.759 our growth in grace tends to break down 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:37.519 as he lists all those qualities 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:40.219 with which the life of Christ begins to work itself out within us? 00:04:40.979 --> 00:04:43.419 What is it that makes us ineffectual and unfruitful 00:04:43.419 --> 00:04:44.959 in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus? 00:04:46.779 --> 00:04:48.219 In verse 9 of that passage, 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:48.939 Peter said, 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:51.560 it's because you've forgotten. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:55.799 It's because you've forgotten 00:04:55.799 --> 00:04:57.139 and you need to remember. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.919 And that's what this section of Exodus 00:05:01.919 --> 00:05:03.779 that we just read is all about. 00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:07.619 It's about the vital importance of remembering. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:10.639 Remember this day, 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:12.119 Moses says to the Israelites. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:13.939 Remember. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:17.939 And as we think about this passage this morning, 00:05:18.059 --> 00:05:19.839 Exodus 12 and 13, 00:05:20.659 --> 00:05:22.819 I want us to think about three things. 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:24.619 What to remember, 00:05:25.539 --> 00:05:26.599 how to remember, 00:05:27.059 --> 00:05:27.699 and lastly, 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:29.179 why to remember. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.000 Why it's so important that we remember. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.100 So why don't we think first about 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.420 what we need to remember. 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:36.279 Now, 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:37.519 at this point, 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:38.899 in the story of Exodus, 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:42.579 the Israelites had just witnessed 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:45.500 God perform perhaps the most significant 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:48.100 redemptive event in the entire Old Testament. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:51.180 The tenth plague has just fallen 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:52.680 on the Egyptian firstborn sons. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:54.839 The blood of the Passover lamb 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:56.720 has kept the Israelites safe. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:59.839 Pharaoh's obstinance against the Lord 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:00.919 has finally been broken. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.939 He releases the people from slavery 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:05.839 and they have now left Egypt 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:07.159 once and for all. 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:08.359 At last, 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:10.379 after 400 years of slavery, 00:06:10.719 --> 00:06:11.919 the people are free. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.359 God has saved them. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:14.519 He's redeemed them. 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:15.500 He's liberated them. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:17.079 They're no longer slaves of Pharaoh. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:19.120 They belong to the Lord now 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:20.939 and they are free. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:23.439 That's where we're at 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:24.239 in the story of Exodus. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:25.519 And now, 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:26.759 Moses says to the Israelites, 00:06:27.280 --> 00:06:28.220 as they're going out, 00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:31.639 remember this day. 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:35.900 But here's the surprising thing 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:38.040 about what happens in Exodus 12 and 13. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.139 This command to remember 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:43.840 doesn't just come after their redemption. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:45.259 This command to remember 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.400 becomes before their redemption as well. 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:50.620 If you glance back at Exodus chapter 12, 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:53.100 God doesn't just tell Moses 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:54.300 what's going to happen 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:55.740 on the night of the last plague. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.579 And God doesn't just tell Moses 00:06:57.579 --> 00:06:58.680 how the Israelites 00:06:58.680 --> 00:06:59.860 are going to be kept safe 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:00.379 from the plague 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:01.699 through the sacrifice of a lamb. 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:03.280 That's sort of the verse, 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:04.899 that's the first sort of 13 verses 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:05.819 of chapter 12. 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:07.379 God even tells Moses 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.180 how they're going to remember this event 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:11.280 throughout their generations. 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:13.379 Before the event of the Passover in Egypt 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.280 even happens, 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:15.800 before the redemption even occurs, 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.000 God tells Moses, 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:19.899 here's how you're going to remember this forever. 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:23.060 And you see that in verses 14 through 20 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.259 of chapter 12 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:26.620 as he describes the feast of unleavened bread. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:27.780 And you see it again 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:30.319 in verses 24 through 27 of chapter 12 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:32.220 as he talks about the Passover, 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:34.060 celebrating the Passover year 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:34.860 after year after year. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:37.699 God doesn't just say, 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:39.259 here's what I'm going to do to rescue you, 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:39.780 but also, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:41.759 here's how I want you to remember it. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:45.620 Now that seems a little strange at first, 00:07:45.780 --> 00:07:46.259 doesn't it? 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:49.019 God tells them to remember something 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:50.120 and how to remember it 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.219 before he even does it. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:51.579 You know, 00:07:51.599 --> 00:07:52.219 it's sort of like 00:07:52.219 --> 00:07:54.379 we're going on family vacation 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:55.539 and we spend the whole time 00:07:55.539 --> 00:07:56.180 on the drive thinking, 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.779 here's how you're going to remember 00:07:57.779 --> 00:07:58.779 this family vacation. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:07:59.740 I want you to take pictures. 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:01.060 I want you to put together a slideshow. 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:02.439 I want you to play it at every reunion. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.839 This is how we're going to remember 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:04.659 this great, 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:05.859 awesome vacation 00:08:05.859 --> 00:08:06.879 that we're about to take. 00:08:07.539 --> 00:08:08.719 That seems really strange. 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:09.799 All my kids would be like, 00:08:09.859 --> 00:08:10.060 dad, 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:10.699 knock it off. 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:12.339 We're just trying to watch our iPads. 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:16.199 But God does that. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:16.500 He says, 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:17.719 this is how you're going to remember 00:08:17.719 --> 00:08:19.240 this thing that I'm going to do. 00:08:22.479 --> 00:08:23.060 But you know, 00:08:23.099 --> 00:08:25.219 as strange as that feels to us, 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:28.839 the same thing would happen 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:33.179 1,500 years after the Exodus. 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:37.700 During a small Passover celebration 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:40.500 in the upper room in Jerusalem, 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:42.559 that same thing would happen again. 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:45.539 The Lord Jesus would say to his disciples, 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:47.939 here's how I'm going to rescue 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:49.219 the whole world. 00:08:49.939 --> 00:08:52.099 And here's how I want you to remember it. 00:08:54.819 --> 00:08:56.219 What was Jesus doing 00:08:56.219 --> 00:08:58.239 on that night with his disciples 00:08:58.239 --> 00:09:01.019 when he took the Passover elements 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:01.699 in his hands 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:04.379 and told them to eat and drink? 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.879 You see, for hundreds of years, 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:10.159 Israel had remembered again and again 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.939 how God liberated them from slavery. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:15.059 Passover was the liberation, 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:16.759 celebration of Israel, 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:18.959 that they were God's freed people. 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:21.739 Again and again, 00:09:21.819 --> 00:09:22.899 they remembered how God 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:24.479 had liberated them from slavery 00:09:24.479 --> 00:09:26.419 and had saved them 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:28.399 through the blood of a lamb. 00:09:30.199 --> 00:09:30.939 And now, 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:33.279 Jesus was telling his disciples 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:36.679 that it had all been about him. 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:40.199 that he was the true lamb 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:40.799 who would die, 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:43.919 that his blood would set us free 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:45.479 and set us free 00:09:45.479 --> 00:09:47.399 from the greatest slavery of all, 00:09:48.219 --> 00:09:49.679 our slavery to sin 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.899 and death 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:52.000 and judgment. 00:09:55.579 --> 00:09:57.159 And what that means is this. 00:09:57.979 --> 00:09:58.259 You see, 00:09:58.419 --> 00:10:00.559 before the cross 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.599 and the resurrection of Jesus, 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:02.699 Israel looked back 00:10:02.699 --> 00:10:04.259 to the Passover from Egypt 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:05.220 and remember how God 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:05.960 had set them free. 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:07.059 But now, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:07.480 for us, 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.559 living on this side 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.460 of the cross 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:10.419 and resurrection of Jesus, 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:11.879 we look back 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:13.200 to the even greater Passover 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.539 and remember 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:15.620 how God set us free 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.639 from sin and death. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.240 So what then 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.259 do we need to remember? 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:23.500 What do we need to remember? 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.759 If we understand 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:25.840 Exodus 12 and 13 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.939 in the sweep of the whole Bible, 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:27.759 if we see it 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:29.259 in light of the whole story, 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:31.419 then we remember 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:32.980 the Passover best 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:35.659 by remembering 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:36.600 the cross. 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:39.779 How do we keep 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:41.439 the Passover feast today? 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:42.580 We look back 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:43.500 to the cross. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.419 But here's also 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:47.960 what we see. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.500 We remember the cross 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.439 best 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:53.360 when we remember it 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.399 through the lens 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.019 of the Passover. 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:57.539 Now, 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:58.419 what do I mean by that? 00:10:59.259 --> 00:10:59.740 Well, 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.340 it's actually very easy 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:03.080 to view the cross 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:05.360 with the wrong lens. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.559 All historians agree 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:08.600 that around 30 AD, 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.720 a young Jewish teacher 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:10.960 from Galilee named Jesus 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.360 was crucified by the Romans 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.319 outside of Jerusalem. 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:15.539 Pretty uncontested event. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.679 But what lens do you use 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:20.539 to see that event? 00:11:23.319 --> 00:11:24.620 Was he just a martyr 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:26.019 dying for a good cause? 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:28.960 Was he a political 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:29.700 revolutionary 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:30.840 meeting his demise? 00:11:34.180 --> 00:11:35.700 But how did Jesus himself 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:36.820 see his impending death? 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.420 What lens did he use? 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:42.560 It was the Passover lens. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:46.160 That his death 00:11:46.160 --> 00:11:47.879 is what would allow 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:50.120 the just judgment of God 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.980 to pass over his people 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.500 and keep them safe. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:55.240 and as a result, 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.519 set them free 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.240 from slavery. 00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.559 In Egypt, 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.120 the lamb died 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:02.600 so that the firstborn 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.620 didn't have to. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:06.500 And at the cross, 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:07.460 Jesus died the death 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.120 we deserve 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.779 so that we don't have to. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.820 And he rose again 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:13.720 as Lord and King 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.820 to grant freedom 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:15.720 to everyone 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.620 who trusts in him. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:20.440 This is what we remember 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.279 when we remember 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:21.919 the cross 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:23.560 and in doing so, 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:24.879 remember the great Passover. 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:26.639 So, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:28.240 Moses tells Israel 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.560 to remember 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:31.360 this day 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.340 and that call 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:32.860 to remember 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.720 goes straight 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:34.560 through the Old Testament 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:35.700 into the new 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:36.740 culminating 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.480 in Jesus' death 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.000 and resurrection. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.120 salvation. 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:40.620 So, 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:41.000 today, 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.559 throughout all of our lives, 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.460 this is what 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.419 we need 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.340 to remember. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.360 But second, 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.480 how are we meant 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.279 to remember this? 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.399 How do we go about 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:52.879 doing it? 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.440 And God gives Israel 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:57.279 very specific instructions 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:57.940 about how they're 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.899 to remember the Passover. 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.080 They're not just going 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:00.399 to do it 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.279 in any old way. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:02.519 You know, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.620 go out into a field 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.320 and write a poem 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.120 if you feel like it. 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:05.320 No, 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:05.980 that's not what God says. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:07.419 They're very specific 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:08.120 instructions. 00:13:09.099 --> 00:13:09.839 For Old Testament Israel, 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:10.279 they were supposed 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:10.679 to remember 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.719 God's rescue from Egypt 00:13:11.719 --> 00:13:13.379 with three interrelated things. 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:14.799 First was the annual 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:15.779 Passover celebration. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.860 Second was the Feast 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.539 of Unleavened Bread. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.759 And third, 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.419 the ongoing consecration 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.240 of the firstborn. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:23.120 Now, 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:23.699 the Passover 00:13:23.699 --> 00:13:24.240 and the Feast 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:24.839 of Unleavened Bread 00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:25.759 always went together. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.500 On the 14th day 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.500 of the first month 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:28.959 of the year, 00:13:29.339 --> 00:13:30.639 all the Israelite homes 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.699 would have a Passover meal 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:33.039 and they would retell 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:33.719 the story 00:13:33.719 --> 00:13:34.639 of how God 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.360 redeemed them 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.079 from slavery. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:38.100 Generation after generation 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.920 after generation. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:39.720 And then, 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:40.480 for seven days 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.220 following that, 00:13:41.520 --> 00:13:42.820 they wouldn't eat anything 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:43.759 with leaven in it. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:44.900 In fact, 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.460 they would get rid 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:46.100 of all the leaven 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.720 in their homes 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.580 and eat only 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.320 unleavened bread. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:49.420 And in the passage 00:13:49.420 --> 00:13:49.860 we read 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:51.180 to start our sermon, 00:13:51.780 --> 00:13:52.080 God says, 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.700 I want you to get rid 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.180 of all the leaven 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.000 in your whole land. 00:13:54.280 --> 00:13:55.040 Get rid of all of it. 00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:57.480 And then, 00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:58.300 at the end of that week, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.960 they'd have a feast 00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.420 to the Lord. 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.220 That's how they were 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:01.780 supposed to remember 00:14:01.780 --> 00:14:02.280 the Passover. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.340 That's how they were 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.000 supposed to remember 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.500 the redemption. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:04.620 celebration. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.120 And in addition 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.899 to that annual 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.000 week-long celebration, 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:09.559 the Israelites 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:11.340 were also meant 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.820 to consecrate 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:13.340 to the Lord 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:14.679 on an ongoing basis 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:16.500 any firstborn male. 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:17.980 Now, 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:18.820 that's the rest 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.220 of chapter 13, 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.720 verses 11 through 16. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.480 We didn't read that 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:22.899 to start, 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.679 but you can just sort of 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.299 scan your eyes 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:24.980 down through there. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:27.960 The firstborn male animals, 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.460 God says, 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.379 I want you to sacrifice 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.100 those to me. 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:32.279 And the firstborn male 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:34.920 children would be redeemed. 00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:35.320 That is, 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.279 the parents would offer 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.879 a set amount of money 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.480 to the priest 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:39.540 as a gift and offering 00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:40.300 on behalf of their 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.139 firstborn sons. 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.180 And one sort of minor 00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:44.000 exception to those 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.800 general rules 00:14:44.800 --> 00:14:46.440 was that animals 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.259 that weren't typically 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.259 used for sacrifice, 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.139 like donkeys, 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:49.399 well, 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.100 those could be redeemed 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:50.500 as well. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.680 And the point 00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:54.019 of all those practices 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.399 was so that the people 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.320 could remember again 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:56.680 and again 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:57.440 what God had done, 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.260 how he had spared 00:14:58.260 --> 00:14:59.460 their firstborn in Egypt 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.500 and rescued them 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.120 from slavery 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.300 would have been 00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:03.580 a very powerful reminder 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.940 if every time 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:06.020 you had a firstborn male 00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:06.520 in your land, 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:06.920 you were doing 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:08.200 something related to God, 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.900 whether it was bringing 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:10.620 an offering 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.780 to the priests 00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:12.480 or whether it was 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.500 bringing a sacrifice 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.120 to the Lord. 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.600 But I want to make 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.480 three observations 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.380 about these Old Testament 00:15:19.380 --> 00:15:20.440 practices that apply 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.580 to how we are meant 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.140 to remember 00:15:22.140 --> 00:15:23.400 our redemption today. 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.280 You know, 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.560 obviously living this side 00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:26.960 of the cross 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.460 and resurrection, 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.580 we don't do 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.240 those things anymore, 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.960 but there are still 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:31.019 some patterns there 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:33.160 that are helpful for us. 00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:34.780 And the three observations 00:15:34.780 --> 00:15:35.340 are this, 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.360 that these acts 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.920 of remembrance 00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:37.560 are perpetual 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:39.080 and they're tangible 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.180 and they're verbal. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.740 Where do we see that? 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:44.240 Well, first, 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:44.860 this remembrance 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.980 is meant to be perpetual. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.360 And you actually see 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.000 that throughout, right? 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.680 Every single year 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.900 without fail, 00:15:51.300 --> 00:15:51.940 Israel was supposed 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:52.879 to celebrate the Passover 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.980 and the Feast of Unleavened Bread 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.280 again and again 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:56.139 and again and again. 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.240 They repeated it over 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:58.179 and over 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.419 and over again. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.259 Now, 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:03.399 we, of course, 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:04.559 live in a very 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:07.039 entertainment-saturated age, 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:07.699 don't we? 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.519 We don't like things 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.240 being the same. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:14.399 We value variety 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.899 and change. 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.199 But when it comes 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:19.960 to remembering 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.819 our redemption, 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:22.820 it's supposed 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:24.440 to be perpetual. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.240 We're supposed 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.060 to do it over 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.740 and over 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.740 and over again. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.700 And you see this 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.300 in the New Testament 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:31.840 when it comes 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.620 to the Lord's Supper. 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.520 The church 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:35.800 didn't just do it annually 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.100 like the Old Testament 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.580 Passover. 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:39.240 They did it regularly. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.379 In many cases, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.680 they probably did it 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:42.100 weekly 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:43.120 every single time 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.600 they met. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:47.379 Now, 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:49.620 as Protestants, 00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.879 we can be very wary 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.940 of repetition, 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:52.740 can't we? 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.360 We are afraid 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.980 that something 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.980 will become rote 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.940 and empty. 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:59.259 Just an empty ritual, 00:16:59.379 --> 00:16:59.580 right? 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.540 We're very cautious 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.040 of that. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.080 And that certainly 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.180 is a very real danger. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.940 But at the same time, 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.660 repetition 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.660 can also be 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.400 a great friend. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:11.800 Think about it 00:17:11.800 --> 00:17:12.160 this way. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.320 If you're playing 00:17:14.320 --> 00:17:14.940 a role 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.660 in a theater performance, 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.640 in a play, 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:20.080 you probably 00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:22.040 practice your lines 00:17:22.040 --> 00:17:23.320 again and again 00:17:23.320 --> 00:17:23.880 and again. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.040 And you repeat 00:17:25.040 --> 00:17:25.880 them to yourself 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.780 over and over 00:17:26.780 --> 00:17:27.160 and over, 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.780 in the shower, 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.640 in your bedroom, 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.100 to your little siblings 00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:30.860 until they get sick 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.340 of it, right? 00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:34.060 You just rehearse it 00:17:34.060 --> 00:17:34.900 and you repeat it. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.700 And your theater company 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.620 will probably run 00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.240 through rehearsal 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.980 after rehearsal 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.259 leading up 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.120 to your opening night. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:42.819 Why? 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.839 Why do you do 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.599 so much repeating 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.180 and repetition 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.720 in rehearsal? 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.920 Well, it's not just, 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.400 actually. 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.319 It's not just 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.140 so you don't mess up 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.640 your lines 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.440 during the performance 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.559 and get embarrassed. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.559 That's one reason why. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.700 But it's not just that. 00:17:59.120 --> 00:17:59.960 It's more than that. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.360 It's because 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.519 all that repetition 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:04.799 internalizes 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.579 the material 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:08.019 so that when 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.559 the curtain 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.059 lifts 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.359 and you take 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:11.079 the stage, 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.920 you can actually 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:15.279 perform your role 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.059 with freedom 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:18.539 so that you can 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.559 actually be 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.579 who you're meant 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.039 to be 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.879 in the story. 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:26.480 The same is very true 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.040 of musicians. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.540 Some of the best 00:18:28.540 --> 00:18:30.280 improvisational players 00:18:30.280 --> 00:18:33.000 have honed their playing 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.240 through endless hours 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.840 of repetition 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:35.780 until the scales 00:18:35.780 --> 00:18:37.000 and the progressions 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.400 have become 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.300 just second nature. 00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:41.420 And all of that 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.280 is true for us 00:18:42.280 --> 00:18:43.920 in the spiritual life, 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:45.380 in our life with God. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:48.460 Our weekly worship together, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.200 our regular taking 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.019 of the Lord's Supper, 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.460 hearing the word of God 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.220 read and preached, 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:53.700 giving, 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.299 singing, 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.759 praying, 00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:56.039 all of these practices 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.220 that we do week in 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.340 and week out 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:59.319 again and again 00:18:59.319 --> 00:18:59.779 and again. 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.100 Even the overall 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:03.460 order of our service 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.380 is the same every week. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.039 Have you noticed that? 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.319 Every single week 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.640 we do the exact same thing. 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.980 Don't tell anybody. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.819 It's the secret. 00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:13.940 We begin with 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.200 adoration of God, right? 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:15.960 You can see this 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.500 in your bulletin. 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:17.180 We try to give you 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:17.620 a little hint. 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.559 Here's what we're doing now. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.680 We're adoring God, right? 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.860 We begin with 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.660 adoration of God, 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.299 acknowledging and praising 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.299 Him as our Creator 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.259 and His majesty. 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.560 And then we confess 00:19:27.560 --> 00:19:28.259 our sins. 00:19:28.560 --> 00:19:29.380 We look to God 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.320 as our Redeemer 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:31.720 in His mercy. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.779 And then we move 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.840 to a time of thanksgiving 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.080 and prayer and offering, 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:38.259 which are all right responses 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:40.000 to God's majesty 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.600 and His mercy. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.860 We want to thank Him 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:43.420 and we want to pray to Him 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.400 and cast our burdens on Him 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.320 and we want to give 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.660 to the work of the gospel. 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.620 Have you noticed? 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.359 I hope you've noticed 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.779 that sort of threefold movement 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.500 every week. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.139 Worshiping God the Father, 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:53.919 the Son, 00:19:53.979 --> 00:19:54.719 and the Holy Spirit, 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.779 the Father who made us, 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.339 and the Son who redeems us, 00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:59.159 and the Spirit who empowers us. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.419 And then we go to God's word together, 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.559 eager to hear His voice. 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.799 Why do we do that 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.959 every single week? 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:10.259 Because we need to get it 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.859 ingrained deep down 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.719 in our hearts 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:15.579 so that when the curtain lifts, 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.579 so that when we 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:19.380 take the stage 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.319 out in the world 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.259 as God's people, 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.799 we can actually be 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.680 the image bearers 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.920 He means for us to be 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.240 with freedom. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.000 So that we can actually 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.120 play the part in the story 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:33.120 we're meant to play 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:34.039 as His people 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.720 in the world. 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:37.420 So that our hearts 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.600 can be calibrated 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.779 to God and His kingdom. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:44.559 So our remembrance 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.420 has to be perpetual. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.379 It's got to have some rhythm 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.799 and some repetition to it. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.399 But it's also meant 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.139 to be tangible. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:53.960 The Passover 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:55.200 and the Feast of Unleavened Bread 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.700 involved all of your senses. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:59.099 You ate the Passover meal, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.019 those herbs 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.700 and that bread 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.680 and that leg of lamb. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.420 You ate it. 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:03.819 And you could feel 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.399 and smell 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:06.019 and taste the unleavened bread 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.779 for the whole week following. 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:10.399 You know, 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.019 from time to time 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.779 I'll attend seminars 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.359 on youth ministry 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:15.500 and one thing 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.180 that comes up a lot 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.740 in those seminars 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.680 is how to teach well. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.359 How do we teach 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.059 so that teenagers 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:21.680 will really grasp the faith? 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.539 And the answer 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.680 that is often given is 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:27.579 engage the senses, right? 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.180 Don't just engage the hearing, 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.059 engage their sight, 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.799 show them a picture 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:32.519 or engage their sense of touch. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.819 Bring an object 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:35.000 to sort of pass around. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.399 Apparently educational research 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.360 so is that if you engage 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.000 more than one 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.280 of the five senses at a time, 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:42.080 we absorb the material 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:43.259 at a much deeper 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.380 and lasting level. 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:48.240 And isn't it wonderful 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.400 that God knew 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.200 all about that 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.160 thousands of years ago 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:54.040 having made us 00:21:54.040 --> 00:21:54.940 after all. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.440 In the Passover 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.960 and in the fulfillment 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.620 of the Passover 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:00.440 and the Lord's Supper, 00:22:01.540 --> 00:22:03.680 God has us engaging 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.780 with nearly all of our senses, 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.280 doesn't he? 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:08.119 you can touch it 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.879 and you can smell it 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:11.079 and you can see it 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:12.059 and you can taste it. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.119 And in some churches, 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.259 they even hold it up 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.460 and they break it 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.500 so you can even hear it. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.740 And all of that 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.619 is so that we can grasp it 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.399 at the deepest 00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.879 and most meaningful level. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.680 That tangible nature of it 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:30.259 connects us to the story 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.240 in a powerful way. 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.119 I mean, think about it. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:35.279 If we lived in Old Testament Israel, 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.899 eating unleavened bread 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:38.419 for a whole week 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:40.919 connected generations 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.599 of Israelites 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:43.179 back to that original 00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:44.159 Exodus generation. 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.019 How? 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.359 Why were they eating 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.059 unleavened bread? 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.500 Because God's rescue 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.579 was so decisive 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.559 and so immediate 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.919 that they had to go right away 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:53.259 and there was no time 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.000 for the bread to leaven. 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.659 They had to go. 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.639 And every generation 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.719 would take up unleavened bread 00:22:58.719 --> 00:22:59.219 and eat it 00:22:59.219 --> 00:23:00.759 as a way of saying, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.559 we're part of that people too. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:05.319 We have an organic connection. 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.900 God freed me 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:10.119 from slavery in Egypt. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.799 And in the same way, 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:14.720 when we eat the bread 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.059 and drink the cup 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.839 and the Lord's Supper, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:18.619 it connects us to the story. 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.200 This is what Jesus ate 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:22.539 and drank with his disciples. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:25.079 This bread that represents 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.000 his broken body 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.240 and this cup 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.759 that represents his shed blood. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.900 in a tangible way, 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.279 it's putting us 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.339 into that same 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.420 unbroken story, 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.740 into that same 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.759 unbroken people. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.019 But finally, 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.920 remembrance is meant 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:46.019 to not just be perpetual 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.579 and tangible, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.680 it's got to be verbal. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:51.440 Look at Exodus chapter 12 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:53.759 verses 26 and 27. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.779 It should just be 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.700 on the opposite page 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.539 from where we started. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.819 Exodus 12, 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:02.059 26 and 27. 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.039 This is Moses 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.879 giving instructions 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.619 to the Israelites 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:13.819 before the Passover event. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.379 He says, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:33.380 You see a similar thing 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.340 in chapter 13, 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.060 verse 14. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.880 Jump across 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.660 to the next chapter. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:39.740 Verse 14 of chapter 13. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.759 And when in time to come, 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:43.079 your son asks you, 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.039 what does this mean? 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.740 Meaning the consecration 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.359 of the firstborn. 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.180 You shall say to him, 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.620 by a strong hand, 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.799 the Lord brought us 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.339 out of Egypt 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.259 from the house 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.799 of slavery. 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.480 Yes, 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.039 the remembrance 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.059 needs to be tangible, 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.160 but it can't just 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:58.799 be tangible, 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.240 friends. 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:01.380 There need to be words. 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:04.400 It has to be explained. 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.539 Did you notice the pattern? 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.039 Your children will ask, 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.740 what does this mean? 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.599 And God says, 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.819 and then you will say. 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.659 In other words, 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.659 when we remember 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.519 our redemption, 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.879 we've got to tell 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:18.359 the story with words. 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:22.039 The tangible practices 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.339 are an integral part, 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.500 but they don't stand alone. 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.379 That's why 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.240 the reading 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.919 and the teaching 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:27.539 and the preaching 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.240 of God's word 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.099 has to be central 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:30.059 in all that we do. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.959 Without the clear 00:25:31.959 --> 00:25:32.879 teaching of the Bible, 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.899 without the consistent 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:35.579 preaching of the gospel story, 00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:37.179 these tangible practices, 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:37.919 whatever they are, 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:38.779 they lose their meaning 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:40.139 and they become empty. 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.079 But, 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.199 when joined 00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:43.839 with the teaching 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.759 of the word, 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.299 they become 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.419 very powerful ways 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:49.419 for us to remember 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:49.960 our redemption. 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.220 And, of course, 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.839 isn't it true 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.740 that the nature 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.720 of our redemption, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:57.000 it has to be spoken, 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.519 right? 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.279 Why? 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.579 Because 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.859 our redemption 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.819 was accomplished 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.159 in a once-for-all 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.099 historical event. 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.519 You see, 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.059 when Israel 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.019 was celebrating 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.460 the Passover 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.039 year after year 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.279 after year 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.659 after year, 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.700 they weren't actually 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:13.279 redoing the Passover, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.659 right? 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.359 The Passover 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.639 happened once. 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.800 God rescued them 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.920 once and for all 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.860 from slavery in Egypt. 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.700 And when something 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.960 happens once and for all, 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:23.060 how can you reconnect 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:23.420 with it? 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.480 You talk about it. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.800 It's the same thing 00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:27.320 that's true 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:28.340 of the cross. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.100 God has rescued us 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.040 from sin and death 00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:33.180 once and for all 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.240 through the perfectly 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.280 sufficient sacrifice 00:26:35.280 --> 00:26:35.940 of Christ. 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.060 And now, 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.759 what do we do? 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.800 We speak about it 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:41.240 and we remember it. 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:45.779 So these are the ways 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.960 that we remember. 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.740 This is how 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.819 we're meant to remember. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.339 But last, 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.700 why? 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.759 Why do we need 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.539 to remember 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.539 our redemption? 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.259 Why go through 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.000 all the trouble 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.420 of this perpetual, 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.140 tangible, 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.319 verbal remembrance? 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.359 What is at stake 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.559 in all of this? 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.079 Well, 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.920 these chapters of Exodus 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.940 point us in three 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.180 sort of related directions. 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.259 reasons. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:09.100 The first reason why 00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:11.820 is for your children. 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.620 Remember your redemption 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.740 for the sake of your children. 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.460 We already saw that 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.420 in chapter 12, 00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:18.420 verse 26, 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.440 and 13, 14, 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:21.160 how the next generations 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.460 are very much in view 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.560 as these practices 00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:24.340 are put into place. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.480 But we see it again 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.180 in 13, 8. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.039 Look at 13, 8. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.480 During the Feast 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.220 of Unleavened Bread, 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.080 Moses says, 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.680 you shall tell your son 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.440 on that day, 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:36.220 it is because of 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.500 what the Lord did for me 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:39.660 when I came out of Egypt. 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.140 You see, friends, 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.920 being born 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:45.700 into a certain family 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.320 doesn't make you 00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:48.240 a Christian. 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.539 Just because I'm 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.320 a follower of Jesus 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:52.620 doesn't mean that my kids 00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:53.600 automatically are. 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.380 They need to be shown 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.500 and told about 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.420 God's great work 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.460 of redemption in Christ 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:01.160 so that they can trust it 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.740 for themselves 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.420 through faith. 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:04.759 Here in Exodus, 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.660 Moses envisions 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:08.759 children watching, 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.200 taking it all in, 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:10.800 participating, 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.600 and then asking 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.220 their parents 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.100 what it's all about. 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.420 And you know, 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.140 that dynamic 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.180 hasn't really changed 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.860 for us today. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.039 When we celebrate baptism, 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.220 the kids are here 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.240 watching, right? 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.880 And when they ask, 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.600 Dad, Mom, 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.640 what does that mean? 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:27.620 Why are those people 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.140 getting all wet? 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.580 That's weird. 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:31.000 then you can tell them 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.720 it's because of what 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.659 God did for us 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:34.599 through Jesus. 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:36.259 He went down 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.779 into death. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.939 He rose again 00:28:37.939 --> 00:28:38.779 to life for us 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.960 to wash our sins away. 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.779 And that can be true 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.279 of you too 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.639 if you take hold 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.359 of them by faith. 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.579 And the same is true 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.399 when we do the Lord's Supper, 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:47.960 isn't it? 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.359 Parents, 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.299 when you're fourth 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:50.679 and fifth 00:28:50.679 --> 00:28:51.339 and sixth graders 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.399 or when you're teenagers 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:52.980 ask you, 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.980 what is this all about? 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:56.339 As we do the Lord's Supper 00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:57.079 every other week, 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.779 you can then have 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.460 a conversation 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.620 about who Jesus is 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.420 and what he's done. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:04.099 When with a mighty hand, 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.059 God dealt once and for all 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.759 for our sins. 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:08.680 You see, 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.539 every other week 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.519 when we do the Lord's Supper, 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.660 we have an opportunity 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.779 to have spiritually 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.000 significant conversations 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.599 with our kids 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.799 because they've seen something 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.799 and something's gone 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.839 right before their eyes 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.819 that speaks 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:20.079 of the gospel of Christ. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.460 And even if they don't 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.220 initiate with you, 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.860 some of you are thinking, 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:24.579 my teenagers would never say, 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.219 Dad, 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.000 what does this mean? 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.000 Right? 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.559 No. 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.399 But even if they don't 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.219 initiate with you, 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.339 the practice of the Lord's Supper 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.199 gives you a chance 00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:33.199 to engage with them. 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.219 Doesn't it? 00:29:35.479 --> 00:29:35.839 Hey, 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.599 I noticed you're not 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.379 taking the Lord's Supper. 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:37.899 How come? 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.219 Or, 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.699 hey, 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.719 I noticed you took 00:29:41.719 --> 00:29:42.639 the Lord's Supper this morning. 00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:43.939 Let's talk about that. 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.359 And let me just say, 00:29:48.419 --> 00:29:49.079 if you yourself 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.679 are a middle schooler 00:29:50.679 --> 00:29:51.519 or a high schooler 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.419 or in grade school, 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.840 let me say to you 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.720 that the Lord's Supper 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.460 isn't just an empty ritual, 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.759 but it's a powerful reminder 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.800 of what Jesus has done. 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:03.740 The most important thing 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.380 that you can ask this morning, 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:07.600 if you're here 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.300 with your parents, 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.980 is not, 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.460 how can I make my parents happy? 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.440 How can I get through this 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.279 as quickly as possible 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.080 and get back to playing 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:15.120 video games this afternoon? 00:30:15.820 --> 00:30:16.080 No. 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.320 The most important thing 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:17.980 you can ask yourself 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.660 this morning is, 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.340 where do I stand 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.220 with Jesus? 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.759 Do I believe 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.759 that He's the Son of God? 00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:26.379 Do I believe 00:30:26.379 --> 00:30:27.679 that He died for my sins 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:28.500 and rose again 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.740 as the Lord of the universe? 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.240 And have I surrendered 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.159 my life to Him? 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.559 Can you answer yes 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.439 to those questions? 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.980 If not, 00:30:39.679 --> 00:30:41.259 what's holding you back? 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.799 Talk to someone older 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.599 that you trust. 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:46.959 The reality is, 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.779 you don't need to hide 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.639 your doubts and fears 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.460 about Christianity. 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.600 We've all been there. 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.160 And the spiritual life 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.900 is not something 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:53.820 that you can do alone. 00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:56.120 Talk to someone about it. 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.980 But if you can answer yes 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.700 to those questions, 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.800 then who have you told? 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.340 If you are saying, 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:03.759 yes, 00:31:03.800 --> 00:31:04.900 I believe He's the Son of God. 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:06.120 I believe He died for my sins. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.700 Yes, 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.860 I've surrendered my life to Him. 00:31:08.520 --> 00:31:09.360 Then tell someone. 00:31:10.020 --> 00:31:10.740 Tell your parents. 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.320 And then tell someone 00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:12.840 here at the church. 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.320 Talk to me 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:13.820 or talk to one 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.400 of the other pastors. 00:31:14.580 --> 00:31:16.300 Make a public profession 00:31:16.300 --> 00:31:17.520 of your faith in Jesus. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:19.759 And if you haven't been baptized, 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.819 that's your next step. 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.660 Step into the waters 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:25.059 and make a public profession 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.220 of your union with Christ. 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.900 You see, 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.299 friends, 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:33.279 what Christ has done, 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:35.319 He's done for you. 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.779 Middle schoolers, 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.480 high schoolers, 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.579 this is for you. 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:43.139 And one of the main reasons 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.379 God gave us the command 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.480 to remember our redemption 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.759 again and again and again 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.619 is so that you 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:49.019 would come to know Him too. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.859 But this isn't just 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.699 for our children's sake. 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.859 It's also for our own sake. 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.659 Look at the next verse 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.579 in chapter 13. 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:05.980 Verse 9. 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:08.159 Verse 9 says, 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:09.360 And, 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:11.600 you're not just going to tell 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.300 your kids about it, 00:32:12.420 --> 00:32:12.759 and, 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.620 it shall be to you 00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:17.080 as a sign on your hand 00:32:17.080 --> 00:32:18.980 and as a memorial 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.040 between your eyes 00:32:20.040 --> 00:32:22.100 that the law of the Lord 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:23.160 may be in your mouth. 00:32:24.060 --> 00:32:25.220 For with a strong hand, 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.640 the Lord has brought you 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.480 out of Egypt. 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:31.060 I heard a statistic recently 00:32:31.060 --> 00:32:31.900 that Americans watch 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.200 an average of five hours 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.000 of TV a day. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.779 A day! 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.139 Holy smokes! 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.200 Think about all the advertising 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:43.339 and all the narratives 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:44.619 and pictures 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.200 of what it means 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.799 to be human 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.160 and how to find happiness 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.000 that we're absorbing 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:49.279 through our media consumption. 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.119 You know, 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.339 as I heard that statistic, 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:51.759 I thought, 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:53.339 where do people find 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.460 five hours a day 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.160 to watch TV? 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.039 But then I started thinking 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.839 about all the other ways 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.759 in which I consume media 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.359 during the day. 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.519 And I thought, 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.240 okay, 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:02.220 maybe not five hours, 00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:02.539 but 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:04.539 maybe a couple, 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.319 maybe a few, 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.339 if I count up 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.139 all the podcasts 00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:07.639 and all the 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.940 flipping through 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.759 whatever I'm looking at 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.240 on my phone, 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:10.819 you know, 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:11.159 Facebook, 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:11.759 news feeds, 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.500 blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.680 Right? 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:17.399 And all of that stuff, 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:18.379 almost everything 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:19.519 that we come across 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.440 as humans 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:22.000 is in some big 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.759 or small way 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.579 telling a story 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:25.619 about where real life 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:26.220 and meaning 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.980 is to be found. 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:31.519 I read a book recently 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:31.860 called 00:33:31.860 --> 00:33:33.140 You Are What You Love 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.400 by a professor 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:36.420 out at Calvin College 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.400 named James Smith. 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:38.920 And in that book, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.480 he spends some time 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.339 meditating 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.940 on the sort of 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:43.900 typical practice 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:45.200 of going to the shopping mall. 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:49.079 And as he sort of 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.420 starts to think about 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:51.160 what we do 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.079 when we go to the mall, 00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:54.140 you start to see 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:55.120 that even something 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:55.919 as mundane 00:33:55.919 --> 00:33:57.539 as going to the mall 00:33:57.539 --> 00:34:00.299 has this pervasive power 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.759 to shape our desires 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.379 and to saturate us 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:03.959 in a narrative 00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:05.039 about where real life 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.839 and real joy 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.579 is to be found. 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.119 Think about it. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.699 You enter the mall 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:13.119 and it's sort of enclosed 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:14.179 and it's its own 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.480 set apart space 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.400 in the world, right? 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.500 You're going 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:19.319 to a different space now. 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.139 You're leaving 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.980 the real world 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:22.099 and you're stepping 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.059 into this sort of 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:25.019 trans-historical 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.139 timeless space 00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:27.300 where there's never a clock 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:28.340 and there's always 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.719 sort of nice music playing. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.800 You've been transported 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:33.880 to a different realm 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:36.860 and there's a picture 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.739 of beauty 00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:39.159 and health 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:40.500 and attraction 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.739 and joy 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:43.780 lining the walls 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:46.039 at every step of the way. 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:47.519 There's a little place 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.320 where you can go 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:50.360 with the promise 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:52.259 that if you turn in here 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:53.840 and you just give us 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.380 a little money, 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.880 we will give you 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:56.500 an object 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:58.120 that will allow you 00:34:58.120 --> 00:34:59.460 to experience 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.540 and participate 00:35:00.540 --> 00:35:01.560 in that joy 00:35:01.560 --> 00:35:02.540 and beauty 00:35:02.540 --> 00:35:04.220 and you'll be able 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.000 to win friends 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.060 and influence people 00:35:06.060 --> 00:35:08.660 and you will be loved. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:11.420 And then, 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.940 when the experience 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:14.179 fades after a few weeks, 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.119 when the jeans 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.739 just don't feel 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.420 as cool anymore 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.879 or that sweet 00:35:17.879 --> 00:35:18.699 leather purse 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:20.039 just doesn't quite 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.759 fit 00:35:20.759 --> 00:35:22.259 what you're about 00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.739 that week 00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:25.379 or whatever, 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:25.779 you know, 00:35:25.859 --> 00:35:26.899 those killer Jordans 00:35:26.899 --> 00:35:27.259 you got, 00:35:27.339 --> 00:35:28.139 get a scuff on them. 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.319 When the experience 00:35:31.319 --> 00:35:32.639 fades after a few weeks, 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:33.859 when the purchase 00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:34.579 starts to lose 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.139 its luster, 00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:36.500 well, 00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:37.539 you can always come back 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.719 and find something new. 00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:41.139 Enter all ye who weary 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:41.960 and are heavy laden 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:43.619 and we will give you stuff. 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:44.579 Right? 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.639 See, 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.300 the reality is, 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.639 friends, 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:52.039 that we are inundated 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:55.139 by counter narratives 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:56.460 all the time, 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:58.099 not just in the shopping mall, 00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.099 but everywhere. 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:01.619 Everything's telling a story 00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:02.699 about what's real 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.300 and true 00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:03.940 and good 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.539 and beautiful 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:05.940 and how our hearts 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.840 ought to be aligned 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:10.260 and all of these stories 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:11.700 that saturate our world, 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:13.320 they cause us 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:13.860 to forget. 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:16.100 They cause us 00:36:16.100 --> 00:36:16.480 to forget 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:17.600 who we really are 00:36:17.600 --> 00:36:19.480 and who God truly is 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:21.860 and the simply 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:23.380 astounding thing 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.380 that he's done for us. 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.620 Why did God tell Israel 00:36:27.620 --> 00:36:28.760 to remember their redemption 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.579 year after year 00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:30.320 after year after year? 00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.019 Because he knew 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.519 that even in the promised land 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.000 they were going to be 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:34.420 surrounded by false gods 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.260 and false promises 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:35.820 of happiness 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.960 and if they forgot 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.720 that the Lord 00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:38.500 had redeemed them, 00:36:38.720 --> 00:36:39.280 they would run 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.080 to those other gods 00:36:40.080 --> 00:36:40.700 for security 00:36:40.700 --> 00:36:41.380 and protection 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:42.180 and life 00:36:42.180 --> 00:36:42.900 and safety 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.940 and they would end up 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:45.100 in spiritual slavery 00:36:45.100 --> 00:36:45.780 once again. 00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:48.920 And friends, 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.320 our life is no different. 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:54.380 when I forget 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:55.740 that I've been liberated 00:36:55.740 --> 00:36:57.000 by the work of Christ 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:58.700 and made a child of God, 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.019 an heir of God 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:01.880 and a co-heir with Christ 00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:03.860 to share with his suffering 00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:04.980 so that I might share 00:37:04.980 --> 00:37:05.760 in his glory 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:06.880 of the new creation, 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:08.000 when I forget that 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:09.580 and when you forget that, 00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:11.019 then suddenly 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:12.360 you find yourself 00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:13.360 going to all sorts 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:13.940 of other things 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.640 for security 00:37:14.640 --> 00:37:15.820 or for joy 00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.940 or for peace. 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:19.700 like the approval 00:37:19.700 --> 00:37:20.360 of other people 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:20.960 for example. 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.720 And when you go 00:37:23.720 --> 00:37:24.599 to those other things 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.579 like approval, 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:27.860 you end up a slave. 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:30.000 You end up a slave 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:31.079 to what other people think 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:32.159 or don't think of you 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:34.679 and people's criticism 00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.380 crushes you 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:36.260 or their praise 00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:36.920 elates you 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.440 and you end up 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:38.619 blown and tossed 00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:40.400 and then you end up 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:40.960 doing things 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.639 and saying things 00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.059 that you know 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:42.579 you shouldn't 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:44.280 because the approval 00:37:44.280 --> 00:37:44.679 of others 00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:45.279 is really 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:45.819 what your heart 00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:46.579 is resting in. 00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:49.899 And yet at root, 00:37:50.219 --> 00:37:50.919 what's happened? 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:53.960 We've forgotten 00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:54.719 who we are. 00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:57.019 We've forgotten 00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:57.919 who God is. 00:38:00.359 --> 00:38:01.460 We need to remember 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:02.119 that we've been 00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.719 bought with a price 00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:06.319 and that God alone 00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:06.819 is worthy 00:38:06.819 --> 00:38:07.859 of our heart's desire 00:38:07.859 --> 00:38:09.419 and that we're 00:38:09.419 --> 00:38:10.480 his beloved children 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:12.179 because of Jesus. 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:16.859 verse 9 here 00:38:16.859 --> 00:38:18.539 says that remembering 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.179 our redemption 00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:21.179 will function 00:38:21.179 --> 00:38:22.039 like a compass, 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:24.279 reorienting our lives 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.179 and our identity 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:26.559 to true north 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.359 as a sign 00:38:27.359 --> 00:38:28.059 on your hand 00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:29.440 and as a memorial 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.579 between your eyes. 00:38:31.899 --> 00:38:33.399 Not just individually 00:38:33.399 --> 00:38:35.139 but corporately too. 00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:37.899 And out of that 00:38:37.899 --> 00:38:39.500 reorientation 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:40.079 again and again 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:40.579 to God 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.239 and God's redemption, 00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:43.339 then genuine obedience 00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:44.100 and service 00:38:44.100 --> 00:38:44.840 to the Lord flow. 00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.400 Look how the rest 00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:46.079 of that verse runs. 00:38:46.600 --> 00:38:47.340 That the law 00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:48.000 of the Lord 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:49.220 may be in your mouth. 00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:51.340 As we reorient 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:53.039 back to God 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:53.660 and his redemption, 00:38:54.160 --> 00:38:55.200 then our lives 00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:56.000 begin to flow 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.900 and we begin to live 00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:57.400 the way we're meant 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:57.960 to live 00:38:57.960 --> 00:38:59.579 as his image bearers. 00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.539 Not just individually 00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:03.300 but corporately. 00:39:05.660 --> 00:39:06.980 Why do so many churches 00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:07.920 lose their way? 00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:13.480 Why do so many churches 00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:15.039 become intoxicated 00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:16.280 by the promise 00:39:16.280 --> 00:39:17.599 of political power? 00:39:21.680 --> 00:39:22.659 Why do churches 00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:23.599 become rife 00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:24.639 with conflict 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.440 and bitterness? 00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:28.880 Why do churches 00:39:28.880 --> 00:39:29.820 become proud 00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:31.579 and look down 00:39:31.579 --> 00:39:32.180 their noses 00:39:32.180 --> 00:39:32.860 at other churches 00:39:32.860 --> 00:39:33.840 who are less big 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.740 or less hip 00:39:34.740 --> 00:39:37.000 or less doctrinally precise? 00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:41.340 At the root 00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:41.880 of it all, 00:39:42.180 --> 00:39:42.760 brothers and sisters, 00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:43.840 is because we fail 00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:45.119 to remember 00:39:45.119 --> 00:39:46.380 our redemption. 00:39:47.680 --> 00:39:48.720 We forget 00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:51.240 and other things 00:39:51.240 --> 00:39:53.059 steal our hearts 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:55.280 and captivate us 00:39:55.280 --> 00:39:56.639 and make us captives. 00:39:59.039 --> 00:40:00.159 We fail 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:00.920 to keep God's 00:40:00.920 --> 00:40:02.079 gracious work 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:02.700 in Christ 00:40:02.700 --> 00:40:04.039 as the constant center 00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:04.680 of our 00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:06.400 congregational message 00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:07.880 and our corporate life. 00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:11.680 And if we think 00:40:11.680 --> 00:40:12.639 that we're immune 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.740 to these kinds 00:40:13.740 --> 00:40:14.260 of dangers 00:40:14.260 --> 00:40:14.820 at Trinity, 00:40:15.220 --> 00:40:16.680 we need to think again. 00:40:18.220 --> 00:40:19.099 We, too, 00:40:19.720 --> 00:40:21.380 are always in danger 00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:21.880 of letting 00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:23.639 some other narrative 00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:24.760 shape our life 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:25.360 and our identity 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:26.039 as a church. 00:40:26.119 --> 00:40:27.159 And so we must remember 00:40:27.159 --> 00:40:27.659 again 00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:28.700 and again 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:29.659 and again 00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:31.019 the redeeming work 00:40:31.019 --> 00:40:31.599 of Christ 00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:32.880 like a sign 00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:33.579 on our hands 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:34.800 and like a memorial 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:35.760 between our eyes. 00:40:35.760 --> 00:40:36.980 It has to be 00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:37.240 the thing 00:40:37.240 --> 00:40:37.840 that colors 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:39.140 everything we do. 00:40:39.800 --> 00:40:41.140 The inescapable 00:40:41.140 --> 00:40:42.140 mark on all 00:40:42.140 --> 00:40:43.160 of our words 00:40:43.160 --> 00:40:44.220 and all of our pursuits 00:40:44.220 --> 00:40:45.520 and all of our programs. 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.280 And that leads us 00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.940 to the last reason 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:52.360 why. 00:40:53.140 --> 00:40:53.760 Why do we need 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.180 to remember 00:40:54.180 --> 00:40:54.660 our redemption? 00:40:54.800 --> 00:40:55.140 It's not just 00:40:55.140 --> 00:40:55.960 for our children's sake. 00:40:56.200 --> 00:40:56.620 It's not just 00:40:56.620 --> 00:40:57.600 for our own sake. 00:40:58.380 --> 00:40:58.880 But friends, 00:40:58.920 --> 00:40:59.900 it's for the world's sake. 00:40:59.900 --> 00:41:02.019 At the end 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:03.000 of chapter 12 00:41:03.000 --> 00:41:04.200 verses 43 00:41:04.200 --> 00:41:05.599 through 49 00:41:05.599 --> 00:41:07.660 the Lord 00:41:07.660 --> 00:41:08.320 gives Moses 00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:09.260 instructions 00:41:09.260 --> 00:41:10.800 about who can 00:41:10.800 --> 00:41:11.700 and who can't 00:41:11.700 --> 00:41:12.480 eat the Passover 00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.660 when they celebrate it 00:41:13.660 --> 00:41:14.579 in the promised land. 00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:15.740 And God, 00:41:15.800 --> 00:41:16.440 it's very clear 00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:17.820 that non-Israelites 00:41:17.820 --> 00:41:18.639 are not allowed 00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:19.180 to eat it. 00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:21.220 Just as the New Testament 00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:21.639 is clear 00:41:21.639 --> 00:41:22.380 that the Lord's Supper 00:41:22.380 --> 00:41:23.639 is only for believers 00:41:23.639 --> 00:41:24.220 in Christ. 00:41:25.099 --> 00:41:25.420 However, 00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:27.599 in verse 48 00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:29.619 we read this. 00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:32.940 If a stranger 00:41:32.940 --> 00:41:34.900 shall sojourn 00:41:34.900 --> 00:41:35.320 with you 00:41:35.320 --> 00:41:36.860 and would keep 00:41:36.860 --> 00:41:37.380 the Passover 00:41:37.380 --> 00:41:38.119 to the Lord 00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:39.680 let all his males 00:41:39.680 --> 00:41:40.539 be circumcised 00:41:40.539 --> 00:41:42.539 then he may come 00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.860 near and keep it. 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.420 He shall be 00:41:45.420 --> 00:41:46.539 as a native 00:41:46.539 --> 00:41:47.740 of the land. 00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:50.740 Do you see 00:41:50.740 --> 00:41:51.320 what this verse 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:52.139 is envisioning? 00:41:52.900 --> 00:41:54.139 The people of Israel 00:41:54.139 --> 00:41:55.579 celebrating the Passover 00:41:55.579 --> 00:41:56.700 in the promised land 00:41:56.700 --> 00:41:58.019 and outsiders 00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:59.139 who have come 00:41:59.139 --> 00:41:59.480 to dwell 00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:00.360 in the promised land. 00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:01.800 They see 00:42:01.800 --> 00:42:02.719 the common life 00:42:02.719 --> 00:42:03.179 of Israel 00:42:03.179 --> 00:42:04.099 and they hear 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:04.559 the story 00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.039 of the Exodus 00:42:05.039 --> 00:42:06.019 and they see 00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:07.300 the Passover celebration 00:42:07.300 --> 00:42:08.820 and they want 00:42:08.820 --> 00:42:09.659 to be a part of it. 00:42:11.019 --> 00:42:11.920 And then 00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:13.599 they actually 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:14.500 come in. 00:42:15.880 --> 00:42:16.219 God says 00:42:16.219 --> 00:42:16.719 they can get 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:17.420 circumcised 00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:18.159 and they can become 00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:18.699 a part 00:42:18.699 --> 00:42:19.740 of the people 00:42:19.740 --> 00:42:20.760 and God says 00:42:20.760 --> 00:42:21.760 they shall be 00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:22.800 as natives 00:42:22.800 --> 00:42:23.460 of the land. 00:42:24.980 --> 00:42:25.500 In other words, 00:42:25.539 --> 00:42:26.159 the outsiders 00:42:26.159 --> 00:42:27.659 will become insiders 00:42:27.659 --> 00:42:29.239 and the strangers 00:42:29.239 --> 00:42:29.960 and the foreigners 00:42:29.960 --> 00:42:30.920 will become natives 00:42:30.920 --> 00:42:32.579 and the homeless 00:42:32.579 --> 00:42:33.500 will find a home. 00:42:36.319 --> 00:42:37.019 God's mission 00:42:37.019 --> 00:42:37.460 for Israel 00:42:37.460 --> 00:42:38.099 wasn't just 00:42:38.099 --> 00:42:39.099 to be a holy club 00:42:39.099 --> 00:42:39.699 that excluded 00:42:39.699 --> 00:42:40.679 everyone else. 00:42:40.899 --> 00:42:41.440 Their mission 00:42:41.440 --> 00:42:42.599 was to be a light 00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:43.199 to the nations 00:42:43.199 --> 00:42:45.139 and though they fell short 00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.359 time and time again, 00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:47.940 God still didn't give up 00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:48.559 on his people 00:42:48.559 --> 00:42:49.159 or his mission 00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:49.819 for his people 00:42:49.819 --> 00:42:51.079 because now that Jesus 00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:51.599 has come 00:42:51.599 --> 00:42:52.639 and poured out 00:42:52.639 --> 00:42:53.219 the Holy Spirit, 00:42:53.359 --> 00:42:53.980 that mission continues 00:42:53.980 --> 00:42:55.619 through the church today. 00:42:55.619 --> 00:42:56.559 We need to keep 00:42:56.559 --> 00:42:58.260 remembering God's redemption. 00:42:58.900 --> 00:42:59.380 We need to keep 00:42:59.380 --> 00:43:00.280 holding it up 00:43:00.280 --> 00:43:00.980 perpetually, 00:43:01.519 --> 00:43:02.119 tangibly, 00:43:02.519 --> 00:43:02.940 verbally, 00:43:03.159 --> 00:43:03.719 verbally 00:43:03.719 --> 00:43:04.719 because God 00:43:04.719 --> 00:43:06.679 has many 00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:07.699 people 00:43:07.699 --> 00:43:08.679 in this city 00:43:08.679 --> 00:43:10.880 who are his people. 00:43:12.400 --> 00:43:13.860 And though they may 00:43:13.860 --> 00:43:15.440 seem strangers now, 00:43:16.599 --> 00:43:17.559 God's plan is to 00:43:17.559 --> 00:43:18.440 call them 00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:19.800 and bring them 00:43:19.800 --> 00:43:20.659 to his self. 00:43:20.659 --> 00:43:25.719 for the sake 00:43:25.719 --> 00:43:26.719 of the world, 00:43:27.299 --> 00:43:28.799 we need to remember 00:43:28.799 --> 00:43:31.579 because God says 00:43:31.579 --> 00:43:32.420 there's a place 00:43:32.420 --> 00:43:33.879 at my table, 00:43:34.279 --> 00:43:35.399 in my family, 00:43:35.699 --> 00:43:36.519 in my home 00:43:36.519 --> 00:43:37.319 for everyone 00:43:37.319 --> 00:43:38.079 who believes. 00:43:42.119 --> 00:43:42.799 Friends, 00:43:42.879 --> 00:43:43.579 the reality is 00:43:43.579 --> 00:43:45.119 we are 00:43:45.119 --> 00:43:46.299 a forgetful 00:43:46.299 --> 00:43:47.059 people. 00:43:48.379 --> 00:43:49.440 Left to our 00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:50.319 own devices, 00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:51.580 we would forget 00:43:51.580 --> 00:43:52.660 and we would 00:43:52.660 --> 00:43:53.140 drift 00:43:53.140 --> 00:43:54.059 and we would 00:43:54.059 --> 00:43:54.780 allow the cares 00:43:54.780 --> 00:43:55.420 and concerns 00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:56.059 of life 00:43:56.059 --> 00:43:56.620 and all those 00:43:56.620 --> 00:43:57.380 competing narratives 00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:58.180 to choke out 00:43:58.180 --> 00:43:58.580 the growth 00:43:58.580 --> 00:43:59.100 of the gospel 00:43:59.100 --> 00:43:59.880 in our lives 00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:00.960 and to choke out 00:44:00.960 --> 00:44:01.300 the growth 00:44:01.300 --> 00:44:01.800 of the gospel 00:44:01.800 --> 00:44:02.559 in our church. 00:44:03.940 --> 00:44:04.640 But here's 00:44:04.640 --> 00:44:05.440 the good news. 00:44:06.720 --> 00:44:07.160 God, 00:44:07.320 --> 00:44:08.080 in his grace, 00:44:08.620 --> 00:44:09.180 not only 00:44:09.180 --> 00:44:10.240 tells us 00:44:10.240 --> 00:44:10.760 to remember, 00:44:11.600 --> 00:44:12.680 but he gives us 00:44:12.680 --> 00:44:13.620 the very means 00:44:13.620 --> 00:44:14.400 by which 00:44:14.400 --> 00:44:15.440 we can remember. 00:44:18.380 --> 00:44:19.240 So as we have 00:44:19.240 --> 00:44:20.019 now heard 00:44:20.019 --> 00:44:21.139 God's word, 00:44:21.579 --> 00:44:22.139 we're going to 00:44:22.139 --> 00:44:22.840 go to the table 00:44:22.840 --> 00:44:23.380 this morning 00:44:23.380 --> 00:44:25.559 and having heard 00:44:25.559 --> 00:44:26.079 and considered 00:44:26.079 --> 00:44:26.559 God's word, 00:44:26.619 --> 00:44:26.920 we're going to 00:44:26.920 --> 00:44:27.840 do just that. 00:44:28.199 --> 00:44:28.739 We're going to 00:44:28.739 --> 00:44:29.639 grab hold 00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.519 of these means 00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:31.199 of remembrance 00:44:31.199 --> 00:44:33.099 and we're going to 00:44:33.099 --> 00:44:33.619 pray that God 00:44:33.619 --> 00:44:34.340 uses them 00:44:34.340 --> 00:44:35.159 to orient 00:44:35.159 --> 00:44:35.679 ourselves 00:44:35.679 --> 00:44:36.739 back to God 00:44:36.739 --> 00:44:37.199 and God's 00:44:37.199 --> 00:44:38.039 great salvation, 00:44:38.039 --> 00:44:38.739 not just 00:44:38.739 --> 00:44:39.860 for our own sake 00:44:39.860 --> 00:44:40.679 and for our 00:44:40.679 --> 00:44:41.420 children's sake, 00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:42.599 but what we do 00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:43.179 here is for 00:44:43.179 --> 00:44:44.000 the world's sake. 00:44:44.000 --> 00:44:44.059 God's sake. 00:44:46.059 --> 00:44:46.739 Let's pray. 00:44:54.380 --> 00:44:54.820 Lord, 00:44:54.900 --> 00:44:55.340 thank you 00:44:55.340 --> 00:44:56.860 for all 00:44:56.860 --> 00:44:57.420 the many 00:44:57.420 --> 00:44:58.059 and varied 00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:58.960 ways that you 00:44:58.960 --> 00:44:59.699 have given us 00:44:59.699 --> 00:45:00.800 to remember 00:45:00.800 --> 00:45:02.119 our redemption. 00:45:02.980 --> 00:45:03.320 Lord, 00:45:03.400 --> 00:45:03.739 thank you 00:45:03.739 --> 00:45:04.480 for the reminder 00:45:04.480 --> 00:45:05.699 that we need 00:45:05.699 --> 00:45:06.360 to keep it 00:45:06.360 --> 00:45:08.019 in front 00:45:08.019 --> 00:45:08.599 of our faces 00:45:08.599 --> 00:45:09.500 at all times. 00:45:10.679 --> 00:45:11.119 Lord, 00:45:11.179 --> 00:45:11.500 thank you 00:45:11.500 --> 00:45:12.039 for the table 00:45:12.039 --> 00:45:13.300 where you 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.880 promise to meet 00:45:13.880 --> 00:45:14.219 with us 00:45:14.219 --> 00:45:14.699 in a special 00:45:14.699 --> 00:45:16.500 way and feed 00:45:16.500 --> 00:45:17.039 our faith 00:45:17.039 --> 00:45:18.139 and realign us 00:45:18.139 --> 00:45:18.460 to you 00:45:18.460 --> 00:45:18.780 and to your 00:45:18.780 --> 00:45:19.059 kingdom. 00:45:20.519 --> 00:45:21.139 We thank you 00:45:21.139 --> 00:45:21.500 for all this 00:45:21.500 --> 00:45:22.199 in Jesus' name. 00:45:22.619 --> 00:45:22.820 Amen.