Passing the Tests of the Firstfruits

Well, brethren, let's consider the very first Pentecost that's mentioned in the Bible anyway, from the very first Passover after the Israelites left Egypt. Were those 50 days from the wave sheaf offering during the days of 11 bread filled with tests for the Israelites? Or were they on EZ Street? How did that go for them? What about now? Any tests for Christians today? Have you had any tests or trials these past 50 days or so, as you've been counting down to Pentecost? I know a few of you are out of work and have been for quite some time. That will certainly test your attitude and approach. I remember of a new attendee in a different area several years ago who was being denied the Day of Pentecost off from work on Sunday. That certainly tested her faith. She was just starting out in the church, but she had to stand up strong and do what was right. I know some of you have some severe health trials and tests going on right now, and that may be testing your attitude and approach toward God and His way of life. Some of you are still being tested as to your approach toward perhaps a death in the family or a life-threatening or life-changing illness. And perhaps it's been months or even years since that trial and test began. Some of you have severe financial trials, I suppose, and tests that are troubling you even now on this Day of Pentecost. Well, what tests did the Israelites face on that first countdown to Pentecost? How about the New Testament? What tests did Christ's disciples face on their countdown to Pentecost right after Christ's death? What trials do we face today as we countdown to Pentecost each year and continuing throughout the year as we observe all of God's annual Holy Days? Trials and tests are very common in the past, the present, and in the future, it seems. In general, how do we overcome our trials and pass our tests in life? Yielding to the Holy Spirit makes all the difference in the world when it comes to passing your tests in life. If we yield to God's Holy Spirit and allow the Spirit of God to lead and guide us, we will pass all our tests in life. We will pass the tests of the firstfruits because now is our Day of Salvation. This is our opportunity, so let's talk about the testing of the firstfruits. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob became known as the children of Israel, and they were God's chosen to begin with. Let's first consider the trials and tests that besought the Israelites after that first Passover observance on their way to the Promised Land. We know that the Egyptians pursued the Israelites with their iron chariots into the Red Sea. This was a great test. Would they trust God to protect and deliver them? In Exodus chapter 14, let's go back to Exodus, where we consider Passover and the countdown to Pentecost. Exodus chapter 14 verse 30. Exodus chapter 14 and beginning in verse 30.

So the Eternal saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. We know that God gave them passage through the Red Sea. The army was drowned, the Pharaoh's army was drowned in the Red Sea, but the Israelites went across on dry land. So the Eternal saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord the Eternal had done in Egypt, so the people feared the Eternal and they believed the Eternal and His servant Moses. In Exodus chapter 15 verse 13, and this is the song of Moses after their deliverance, verse 13, you in your mercy have led forth the people whom you have redeemed, the chosen people of Israel. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation. God was leading them on the way to the promised land, and they were well on their way after God delivered them through the Red Sea and from the Egyptians. God was with them, but they weren't always real faithful, were they, these children of Israel? Dropping down to verse 22 of Exodus 15, verse 22, so Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, then they went out into the wilderness of Shor and they went three days in the wilderness and they found no water. Now that would be a trial, wouldn't it? To be out into the wilderness with no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Merah or Marah, and the people complained against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? So rather than just have patience, they began to complain. So he cried out to the the Eternal and the Eternal showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet and there he made a statute and an ordinance for them and there he tested them. Now we'll see that God continues to test us today. He tested them, he tested his chosen people back then, then he's continuing to test us today. And he said, If you diligently heed the voice of the Eternal, your God, and do what is right in his sight, and if you give ear to his commandments and keep all of his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Eternal who heals you. So this was a wonderful promise. If the Israelites could just keep those commandments, keep all the statutes, then none of the diseases were to come upon them.

Then they came to Elam where there were 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees. So God first delivered them by making the water sweet and then he delivered them with these 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees so they camped there by the waters. So even though God was testing them, he was also providing for them and being there with them.

In Exodus 16, going on a little further, verse 1, And they journeyed from Elam, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of sin, which is between Elam and Sinai on the fifteenth day of the second month, after they departed from the land of Egypt. Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. So it says, the whole congregation. Now, I'm sure there were probably a few that were not included, hopefully Moses, Joshua, Caleb, a few, but pretty much the entire congregation complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Then the eternal said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you, and so forth. And so the manna was created specifically to bring them food and to provide for them. But they were complainers, weren't they? They were a bit stiff-necked, and they were just not willing to just accept that, you know, God is with us. He's obviously all-powerful. He does all these miracles in Egypt. He delivers plague after plague upon the land of Egypt. He brings us out of the Red Sea on dry ground. God can do anything He desires to do, and He loves us, and He's going to be there for us. Let's just be patient. Let's just wait on the eternal, because we know He will deliver us. In verse 8 of the same chapter, Moses said, This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the morning. So he was going to send— I'm sorry, in the evening. So he was sending them quail in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full. For the Lord hears your complaints, which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us, but they are against the eternal. So God kind of took this personally. It was against Him, but God was very merciful, and He was very gracious. He heard their complaints, and He actually answered their prayers. He delivered them. Well, they weren't even praying to Him. They were complaining to Moses and Aaron that God was gracious and merciful, and He provided for them. So they had plenty of quail, so much they got sick of it. And they had manna every day, and they were told how much of that to gather, and they didn't really listen to that. And they collected more than they needed to because the Sabbath was coming, and they were supposed to honor the Sabbath day. So there were lots of complaints as they were on their way to the Promised Land. In Exodus 17, it talks about more complaints and rifidim, because there was no water there. That's where Moses struck the rock. Water came out. The eternal, they asked, is He among us or not? They doubted God even then. They fought with Amalek at this time, and Moses held up the rod in his hands, and Aaron and her assisted him so that they could gain victory over the Amalekites. It wasn't an easy trip, was it? It was filled with hardships. It was filled with tests and trials. So they continued to complain, but God continued to deliver them, and then they make it to Mount Sinai, verse 8 of chapter 19, Exodus 19, verse 3.

Now, God was not going to bring diseases upon them. He was going to make them a very special treasure. They would be above all people, for all the earth is mine, and God had chosen the children of Israel, the 12 tribes of Jacob of Israel, and God was going to work through them.

So God was certainly with them, and he was willing to deliver them. He was willing to provide for them. He did want them to learn some patience and learn to wait on him and just have faith, and just believe that in due time God will deliver. So we can just wait. We can wait it out and know that God has never left us. He's never forsaken us, and he's never going to.

Now, it's believed that the law was likely given on Mount Sinai on the day of Pentecost. That's what the Jewish people believe, and it seems from reading the text that it could likely, certainly, be the case. So the law was given on the day of Pentecost very likely. Of course, they were afraid of God. God was thundering out the commandments. They were frightened of him. Again, they really didn't know him that well yet. They hadn't really learned to trust him.

They hadn't learned to love him. I remember when our daughter was firstborn. You know, there was something in me. I wanted to love her more, but I just didn't know her well enough yet. She was just a tiny wee little baby, and it was after I got to know her, spent some time with her, saw how precious and wonderful that she truly is that I really came to love her. The same was true with our son.

You know, in the beginning, until we really get to know them a little bit better, we can't really fully love them the way we do later on as we get to know them. So the children of Israel were not making it easy for God to get to know them. They were unbelieving. They were unfaithful. They were disobedient. They did continue to be tested. What about the golden calf incident? They didn't do so well with that one. There were giants in the land. They were afraid of the giants. They didn't want to go in and go into the Promised Land. So they wandered in the wilderness for years.

The Gibeonites deceived them because they weren't paying attention to what God said. The Amalekites, the Philistines, they were thorns in their flesh continually. Most were believing. They were unfaithful. They were disobedient. But some few were led by God's Holy Spirit, and God's Spirit was dwelling in them. Moses, Joshua, Caleb, later on David, Josiah, the prophets. You know, there were some that God was truly giving His Spirit to. But the main problem was most of the Israelites didn't have the Holy Spirit. It wasn't poured out on them. God had not yet poured out His Holy Spirit in a big way.

So the Israelites failed many tests because of this, and we know they ended up in captivity, and everything eventually fell apart for them. Assyria and Babylon, and they all were in captivity, and they just weren't doing very well with the testing that they were having to go through. In Exodus 31, it talks about a test commandment. Exodus 31 verse 15, Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, and holy to the Lord.

Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Exodus 31 verse 16, Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever. It is a sign. It is something that we should take note of, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth. And on the seventh day, He rested and was refreshed, and the Sabbath day was sanctified at creation. And when He made an end of speaking with Him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone written with the finger of God.

So the Sabbath was a very important commandment. It's considered a test commandment, and yet it seems that people like to throw out tests. They don't necessarily like to be tested in many cases, and so this was one of those that they figured out a way to get rid of, to toss out. The Sabbath was no longer that important, no longer a test.

Now Ezekiel 20, and I'm not going to take the time to go there, but that's an important chapter that you should all know. Ezekiel chapter 20 shows that idol worship and Sabbath breaking were two of the main reasons why the Israelites and the House of Judah, the House of Israel and Judah, went into captivity because they were idol worshipers, they were not faithful to the one true God, and they broke God's holy Sabbath day.

And that was something that God did take personally. God did not appreciate that. This was a test commandment. God said, I will be your God, and you will be my people. So honor me on this day. In the New Testament period between the days of 11 bread and Pentecost, at the time of Christ's persecution, Peter denied Christ three times during that time. He thought he was faithful, but he realized some time later that he really wasn't.

He didn't have God's Spirit dwelling in him. He was failing those tests. After Christ's crucifixion, they went back to fishing for a time. They didn't really truly believe or understand. Now in Luke 24, let's go to Luke chapter 24.

Luke chapter 24, we're going to read a few verses here in Luke 24.

Verse 1, Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they and certain other women with them came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it happened as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then as they were afraid and bowed their heads to the earth, they said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but he is risen. Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. And it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales. They just really didn't believe or understand. And they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb, and stooping down, he saw the linen clothes lying by themselves. And he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. So he was beginning to believe. Peter was beginning to get it. He was beginning to understand. If we go down to verse 25, then he said to them, O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken. This is Christ speaking, O not the Christ who have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, Christ expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So he did reveal himself to them. He began to teach them, and they began to understand, but they still lacked faith. Notice verse 36. Now, as they said these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said to them, Peace to you. But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And he said to them, Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Behold, my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

But while they still did not believe for joy, they marveled. And he said to them, Have you any food here? And so they gave him some food, and he ate some broiled fish and some honeycomb. And yet they still didn't really believe they were still lacking faith.

So there's only 120 followers that are there on the day of Pentecost. We might as well go there. I don't think we've actually turned to Acts chapter 2. So it wouldn't seem right not to do that. So Acts chapter 2, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues as a fire, and one sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. So God's Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, and so they began to boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter stood up boldly and gave a powerful sermon, and many were baptized—three thousand that first day—and they began to believe, and they were even willing to die for what they believed. So a great change was taking place with the chosen ones. After Pentecost, again, they boldly preached the gospel of Christ. Let's look at Acts chapter 3 verse 6. Acts 3 verse 6. So Peter and John were in the temple. It was around the ninth hour, and there was a certain man who had been lame for 40 years since he was born. He's now over 40 years old, and so many people knew him. He sat at the gate called Beautiful. So Peter and John came into the temple, and fixing their eyes on him, they said, Look at us. Verse 5. So the crippled man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. And Peter said, Silver and gold, I do not have, but what I do have I give you.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. So this was a tremendous miracle that was now taking place with Peter and John, with Christ's disciples. This man was over 40 years old, and they could not deny it. You know, the Pharisees and others could not deny that this miracle happened. It was causing a lot of grief for them, because they didn't want these people to follow Jesus Christ. They were the ones that killed Christ. In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John are thrown into prison because they refuse to recant the name of Christ. And they would not give in, and they would not stop preaching the gospel. They refused to stop preaching in Jesus' name. So they were tossed into prison. In Acts chapter 4, verse 29, this does not sound like people who are lacking faith now. Verse 29, now, Lord, look on their threats. This is what Peter and John are basically praying to God. Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word by stretching out your hands to heal and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant, Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. So things are really beginning to happen here. Things are really beginning to change. Now, the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say or say that any of the things he possessed was his own. So they had things in common. They were working together. They were unified. Verse 33, and with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. They prayed for boldness and they got it.

In fact, Peter's shadow would even pass over some and they would be healed. People were seeking them out. They were looking for them now because they saw that these men had great power through the power of God's Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter 5, we read of another test.

This is about Ananias and Sapphira. People still are making choices, aren't they? They're still making choices on how they're going to live their lives, just as you and I have to make our choices today. Ananias and Sapphira pay the price for failing their test. You know the story.

They lied about what they were doing, what they were giving, what they were donating. They lied about it. They were found out and they were both carried away. They fell over dead. And God was miraculously working with people. Some were passing the test. Some were not passing their tests. God was establishing the New Testament Church of God by many miracles and signs. The Apostle Paul was miraculously protected and delivered several times. We read about that. We don't have time to do it today, but hopefully you know the stories. In Chapter 5, verse 12, And through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, because the Pharisees still had great influence over the people.

None of the rest dared join them, even though they might have wanted to. They were still afraid. Some of them were not passing the test, but the people esteemed them highly, and believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets, laid them on beds and couches that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. So there was great power for those who were tapping into that power and were making decisions based on God's Holy Spirit. God allowed others to be tested even to their deaths, but they were faithful. Some became martyrs. We know that almost every one of the apostles ended up eventually dying. Peter was stoned a number of times. He got up and walked, but eventually he was also martyred. But they were passing their tests, and even in being martyred, they passed their tests. That's what God was requiring at that time. Now, you and I are tested daily in various ways. Perhaps we're tested with gossip. Will we gossip or will we not? Will we choose not to gossip? Will we lose our temper or will we be self-controlled? Will we yield to the Holy Spirit and keep control of ourselves and not allow ourselves to become too angry or too agitated? Will we covet something that belongs to someone else? Now, that's a test. Will we be ungrateful? That's also a test. Will we act in selfish ways? Will we let someone steal our joy? Will we lust and commit adultery in our hearts and in our minds? Will we steal something perhaps very small? Will we lie? Will we allow ourselves to become envious? Will we harbor hatred and resentment toward others? Will we be lazy and just refuse to serve and help out? As New Testament followers of Christ, we are tested in many, many ways. Perhaps not dramatic ways oftentimes, but in small ways.

In John chapter 14, you don't have to go there. I'm just going to read this one quickly. It's just a one-liner. Verse 15, Christ said, If you love me, keep my commandments. So we're tested every day as to whether or not we're going to keep God's commandments. The sons and the fathers' commandments are the same. I and my father are one. You know, they're not different, even though some people may try to convince you that they are, because they have a deception that they want to continue and to pass along to us. If we will listen, if you love me, keep my commandments. It's talking about the Ten Commandments. It's talking about more than that. It's talking about all of God's laws and His statutes and His judgments, whatever we find in the Bible, cleaning unclean foods. Those things are still in effect today. Those are tests for us. Will we take them lightly or will we respond in a godly manner? In 2 Corinthians chapter 10, here it talks about learning to bring every thought into captivity. That is a tall order, but it is something that God does expect of His called-out ones, His chosen ones, His elect at this time. Not elite, but elect. This is our day of salvation. 2 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 1, Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent I am bold toward you. But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. God's people are to walk according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. God gives us what we need, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. So we are to capture our thoughts and make sure that we're thinking like Christ thinks, putting on the mind of Jesus Christ. That's the way we're supposed to think and bring our thoughts into captivity and consider each and every one of our thoughts as that's also a test. Are we going to go down that road where we dwell on things we should not dwell upon that will lead to sin? As James, I think it's chapter one, talks about how it starts with a thought and then we go on from there.

So casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That is a high calling. It is a great expectation, but it is for the elect now. So there is responsibility that goes along with being elect, being part of the firstfruits. God does expect more of us. God has opened our minds so that we aren't deceived about many of these things, so we are held accountable. And so we should try our best to observe these things so God will be pleased with us. And it says in verse 6, and by bringing every thought into captivity, being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. So getting the the mode out of your own eye or the big big chunk, the big speck, getting all of it out of your own eye so you can see clearly to help others grow and overcome as well. That's what God wants to see us do. He tells us also that we are to make no provision for the flesh. We're to walk in the Spirit. From the last 50 days, we were to be walking in the Spirit. That's what the Bible tells us, that we should walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. And so when we count down from Passover to Pentecost, we should be practicing our walking in the Spirit. In Romans 11, I'm sorry, Romans 13. Romans chapter 13, it tells us to not make provision for the flesh. And you know, that's real easy to do because we are still flesh. So it's real easy to make provision for the flesh, but we have to resist that. Romans 13 11, Romans 13 verse 11, and now do this knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. This was written 2,000 years ago. So if it was time to wake up back then, I would say it's certainly time to wake up now. It's high time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night as far as spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness. Let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day, not in revelry or drunkenness, not in lewdness, not in lust, not in strife and envy. And you know, I must say that being the pastor here, you made it pretty easy for me over the last several years because I don't see a lot of this kind of conduct. You may be hiding it, but it hasn't come to me and I'm grateful for that. And I thank you for that. So I commend you to keep walking in the Spirit and don't allow yourself to walk in the flesh. Philippians 2, we're not going to take the time to go there, but Philippians 2 verses 5 through 8 talks about putting on the mind of Christ, learning to think like He does, bringing every thought into captivity unto Christ. And then we're to think on these things, Philippians 4. Think on the things that are right and good and pure and lovely. That's how we should spend our time. And we should be redeeming the time because the time is short. We don't know how much time we have, but we know it could be very short for some of us. We just don't know how long we're going to live. We don't know how soon Christ is coming. In Galatians 5, it talks about how we are to produce the fruit of God's Holy Spirit.

And God's Spirit is dwelling in the firstfruits. And now is our time of testing. So are we producing love and joy and peace and patience? There's that patience we talked about earlier that many of the chosen ones back in the old days, they didn't have a lot of patience. Are we willing to wait on God and trust Him even when He allows severe tests and severe trials in our lives? And I look around and I see some of you who have gone through some very severe tests, and you've done well. You've passed the test. You're here. You're continuing to fight the good fight. You're continuing to battle and fight the good fight. And you know that song that was sung by the trio of ladies here, I wrote down just a little bit of it. It says, He's refining. He's transforming through battles and strife. So it is through our battles and our strife that we are refined. So we should be thankful for trials. Think it or count it all joy when we fall into various trials because they do perfect us and transform us. In 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 7, for God has not given us a spirit of fear.

He has given us a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. So you have what you need to pass the test. God has given you what you need to pass all the tests that will come in the future. You can count on God. He's promised to never leave you or forsake you. You know, God's Holy Spirit gives us understanding. It helps us understand. As Mr. Permar said, Satan has deceived the whole world, but God's Spirit has given us understanding. We know about God's Holy Day plan. It's revealed in His Holy Days what He's doing, His plan of salvation. We understand that better than anyone on earth, probably. Now is not the only day of salvation. We know that. Many people do not understand that. We know that now is not the only day of salvation, but it is the day for us. It's our day of salvation. But God loves all and everyone in their own order. They'll have their opportunity. So we know about the truth of the resurrections. We know there's more than one resurrection. There's a better resurrection, so there has to be at least two. And it seems likely that there's three, based on what we understand the Scripture says. Everyone will have an opportunity. You know, God hasn't cut off the billions of people who never even heard the name of Christ. That's important to understand that, to know that. We are different because God has opened our minds to understanding. We realize that the Trinity doctrine is false. We're not duped by that, and yet some people say that's the litmus test for who a true Christian is.

You have to believe in the Trinity. We know that the Holy Spirit is not a person. You know, the Scriptures clearly show that it's not a person. God's law has not been done away. It does remain in effect. The Sabbath is still holy.

Again, clean and unclean foods. It makes a difference. We are to be holy, even as God is holy, or, you know, God wants us to be like Him. And He decided to set certain foods apart for us to eat and some not to eat. So we honor Him when we keep these commandments, these statutes, these laws. And again, the Sabbath is a test commandment. We shall be tested to determine the strength of our faith in the future. We're going to continue to be tested. We shall be tested to determine the power and the depth of our love for each other. Now, God does want us to be a church without spot, without wrinkle, without any such thing. And that means we have to become love. We have to really understand what love is, and we need to treat each other with loving kindness. Why do we sin? Isn't it primarily because we lack faith at times? We don't see God for who He truly is, and we also lack love. And so we should pray for these things. Pray that God will grant us more faith. Give us more love. As firstfruits, we know we have a Savior. We have accepted Him as our Savior. We know that we are saved by grace. There's no doubt of that. We, you know, we have no illusions that will earn our salvation. God is love. We know He doesn't sin. He's perfect. He's true. He's faithful. And again, He won't leave us or forsake us. In James chapter 4, it talks about a spiritual mindset. I think it was Mr. Porter that talked or someone talked about the mindset of the elect. They use that wording. Well, James chapter 4 gives us the mindset of the elect. James chapter 4 verse 7, Therefore submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you, draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. So get to know God. Get to know Him well. You'll love Him more. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves on the side of the Lord, and He will lift you up. And do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but you are a judge. So there is one lawgiver who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge or another? It's talking about condemning others. It's not our job to condemn others. We should strive to love others, not condemn others. God is the lawgiver, and He is the ultimate judge. But we are to be single-minded, not double-minded any longer, passing those tests and learning to be single-minded. And then in Colossians chapter 3, a couple of verses here, Colossians 3, it tells us to set our minds. We do have to do something as God's people. We have to learn to set our minds. Colossians 3 verse 1, If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, set your mind on things above. Set your mind on godly things, spiritual issues, spiritual things, not on things on the earth. So lay up your treasures in heaven, not here on earth. Set your mind and continue to pass the tests of the firstfruits. You will be tested. So to summarize some things, we shall be tested as God's firstfruits. You can count on that. We're going to continue to be tested. Now is our day of salvation. This is your time of testing. To pass life tests and trials, we will need to yield to God's Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

This time between Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets, in a sense, it symbolizes our day of salvation as firstfruits. From right now on Pentecost to trumpets. Now, we're the firstfruits. Yes, God has called us, but it's our time of testing. It's our time of trial to prove that we are faithful. It's the called, the chosen, and the faithful who will rise with Christ at His return.

So now is our time to be faithful and true and to get our act together, so to speak, spiritually, and make excuses no longer. We have been called and chosen of God when we committed ourselves to this way of life. We accepted Christ as our Savior. At baptism, hands relied upon us. We received the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. And we have to believe that and know that we have what it takes. God is what it takes. So we trust in Him. We are to remain faithful until our death or until Christ returns when we shall be changed as spirit beings in the family and the kingdom of God. And it is through yielding to the Holy Spirit that we shall remain faithful and endure to the end. So that's the key to overcoming those tests. Will we yield to God's Holy Spirit? Will we produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives? It is a choice. You get to choose whether or not you will yield to God's Holy Spirit, or will you resist the Spirit of God? That's what Stephen said when he was being martyred. He said, you resist the Holy Spirit. And they resisted the Holy Spirit so badly that they stoned Him to death. We must no longer resist God's Spirit. So if we fail to yield to the Spirit of God and we sin against Him, what are we going to do then in the future? Will we harden our hearts? Will we continue to defy God and sin against Him, or will we seek repentance? Will we seek forgiveness for our sins? You know, God is quick to forgive us, but we do need to repent. We do need to be sorry, and then we're going to sin less because we're just not walking in that direction. We're walking with God in the Spirit. So we should, we need to yield to God's Spirit and know that our sins are forgiven. We need not fear anything as long as we have the right fear and respect of God. God will deliver us as surely as He delivered the children of Israel through the Red Sea. So God is forgiving. He is merciful. He does want us to walk in newness of life as His children, as His elect, as His firstfruits. So we should be truly grateful for all that God has given us, especially His forgiveness, because we do fall short. But with God, all things are possible. Be grateful that forgiveness for forgiveness and strive to be worthy of such a loving, merciful God. So, brethren, as we continue to observe Passover or Pentecost, there's just one last scripture, 2 Peter chapter 1. 2 Peter chapter 1 and verse 10.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. If you do the things written in God's Word, and if you trust God and wait on Him, you will never stumble. And if you do, you'll get back up. I mean, that's what it's saying. If we do stumble, if we do stumble, we get right back up and we continue walking on in the Spirit. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So God does surely want to give us His kingdom. We are the firstfruits. We are the elect. No, we're not special oven by ourselves, but certainly with God choosing us now, it is our day of salvation. So, brethren, let us face all of our trials with renewed courage and strength through the power of God's Spirit. Let's stir up the Spirit every day. You know how to do that. You read the Bible. It tells you. You know how to do it. Stir it up every day. And you will have strength through the power of God's gift. Strength through the power of His Spirit.