Passover - A Great Lesson

As you know, the Bible is inexhaustible as far as what we can learn from it. Some of us have been keeping the Passover for decades and decades, and you'd think, oh, I've heard it all. But it looks like you start going over the Passover passages in the Bible, and there's always something that appears. And that happened as well that I'd like to share. This is an interesting revelation about the Passover from the book of Hebrews. Of all places, you wouldn't think that it covers Passover, but it does. It gives us an important lesson. Very important one. You can call this the special message today, a special example from the book of Revelation about Passover. Let's go to Hebrews chapter 1. And Graham already touched a little bit on this topic about the creation of the universe, and very interesting about how the parallels between physical creation and the point of Christ coming through a miracle that God the Father did, and how He walked amongst us. So in Hebrews chapter 11, starting in verse 1, this is called the faith chapter, because it begins. And actually, this isn't so much a definition of faith as it is a description of faith. It says, now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So here it's explaining what faith and how it is carried out. From Worsby's commentary, it says, faith is the confident obedience to God's word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Faith is confident obedience to God's word in spite of circumstances and consequences. I like that. It's very close to what I have, which is faith is the certainty that God's word is true and should be obeyed above all things. And so with that introduction in Hebrews 1, it goes on to say in verse 6, actually, here is more of a definition, not description, definition of faith. It says verse 6, but without faith, it is impossible to please Him. For He who comes to God must believe that He is, in other words, like other translations say, that God exists. If you're going to have faith, you have to believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, that He's an active God. And so we can bring up the point that we go through hardships, and here is something that we should consider. First, God is involved in the hardships and trials of our lives. He's not some absentee landlord up there in heaven. No, He is there with us. Secondly, God has a purpose for our hardships and trials. And thirdly, God's purpose is greater than our hardships and trials.

That's part of faith as well. And so as we go to verse 23, we see how in this chapter of faith, Passover is mentioned. It has to do with Moses' life. Hebrews 11, 23 through 30. It says, by faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid of the king's command. So the first thing that helped Moses become a servant of God is that he had believing parents. These parents had faith. They trusted in God that that child would be protected.

And they were not afraid of the king's command. They risked their lives by doing that, because they trusted in God, in God's protection and guidance. Then it's the faith of Moses that is brought up next. By faith, Moses, when he became of age, when he was a young man, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. And that was a great sacrifice, because Moses had everything to win. As I've mentioned before, according to archaeology and Egyptian history, actually it was through the mother's line that the next Pharaoh would come. So he could have been in line to be the next Pharaoh. And yet, you can here divide Moses' three great themes of life into three words. Refusal, reproach, and reward. So here it tells us that by faith, when he became of age, a man, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He refused something that would have given you great rewards in this life. He could have had a very easy, cushy life and be one of the great ones, if not the great one. Political position, fame, fortune, and he gave that up. Why? This is the second part.

It says, choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.

So here, he just refused. A lot of people can do that. People in the church have had to refuse many things. You know, careers, inheritances. A lot here have done that. And it says, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. And so he just saw that vision. Sometime in your life, you see, hey, I can be part of that coming kingdom of God. And when you start coming into the church, it's a group of people that are training for the kingdom of God. Those are called, are brought in by God to the church, and they begin their training to look beyond the physical, the difficulties, and look beyond that, and look at that wonderful future that we have. But you also have to esteem the reproach of Christ greater, because that means rejection. It means Satan is going to be after you. He doesn't go after the world in the same way. And God allows that to be tested because the reward is so great he wants to see what's inside of us and how we react to what is reproach, which means humiliation, what it means Satan's attacks, the world's attacks. Our human nature attacks us as well. It doesn't want to conform to God's will. And why? The third aspect? For he looked to the reward. He knew there's a reward behind that. He wanted God's praise, not necessarily man's. And then it goes on to say, by faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood. Remember how they sprinkled on the door posts? Lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. And by faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians attempting to do so were drowned. And then the same Moses and then Joshua, by faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. So basically when God calls somebody, he calls the person out of this world. You have to begin being part of the citizenship of the kingdom of God. You have to begin and become one of those future leaders. Doesn't matter what age, doesn't matter what health problems we have, God is offering us all a crown. A crown of reigning under Jesus Christ and God the Father. So first he calls us out, then he calls us through the trials that we go through, and then he calls us in, in his kingdom. That's how it works. So one thing, don't complain about getting tested because God has also a short time to test us, to see what is truly in our hearts. Because once Christ comes, become part of the first resurrection, get resurrected without human nature, with God's same type of nature. Well, all these trials are going to be very different. We're not going to have to go through dealing with human nature and all this world and Satan afterwards. Satan can't do anything to us once we're spirit beings. We're stronger than Satan. Far stronger! It's just now that we are at this disadvantage.

Notice what it says in 1 Peter chapter 1.

1 Peter chapter 1, because he's telling us the same thing.

Starting in verse 6. So he says to the brethren, verse 6 of chapter 1, And this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be. In other words, there are going to be trials in our lives. It doesn't happen all the time, but God knows when we have to go through different trials, different seasons in our life. Then all of a sudden we're faced with a trial. Now what kind of trial that can be with the people that are unconverted around us? Those are tough trials. Maybe nobody else knows it. God knows it. It can come from unconverted relatives, family. It can come from unconverted friends. It can come from unconverted employers. And it can come from unconverted false brethren. So persecution is not only on the outside, it can come in from the inside as well. And of course, it can come from health trials, which are really tough. So then he says in verse 6 at the end, he says, This you greatly rejoice about that reward, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. And that happens right before the Passover, because Satan is reminded what happened when his people got defeated in Egypt by God intervening. And how this tribe of slaves that Satan hates so much, they went right through that the two walls of the Red Sea and defeated at that time the most powerful nation. And so Satan is reminded that through the Passover, he gets defeated every year. He doesn't like that. So he goes after the saints, can't go after God and Jesus Christ. It says in verse 7 that the genuineness of your faith, how real is that faith? Being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. That's when a person gets to praise. Don't think you're going to get much praise in this life, but it's much better to have it with Jesus Christ. Well done, faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord. The end of Matthew 25. It says, whom having not seen you love. Talk about Christ. Though now you do not see him, yet believing you rejoice with joy, inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. That's part of the reward. Notice in chapter 4, Peter continues because he certainly suffered many persecutions and died a martyr's death. He was killed. In 1 Peter 4, verse 12, it says, Beloved, do not think it's strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. So don't be surprised when trials come. Whether they're health trials, trials of unconverted people that can attack you, all kinds of things. He says, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. So yes, the title is Passover, a Great Lesson, suffering for Christ, for Christ's sake. He says, in verse 14, if you are reproached, remember how it used that term about Moses, if you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Kind of strange, right, that he puts that in that category. But to God, some gossiper or slander is in that same category as this evildoer.

Because you can assassinate someone's character without physically taking the life. He says, yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. This is when we are being tested. And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? If the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Nobody can survive trials. If those that God calls and strengthens with his Holy Spirit, if we can't do it, what's the hope of the rest of the people? He says, therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God, God permits it, commit their souls to him and doing good as to a faithful creator.

And I mentioned about false brethren, and that's something that not everybody has been in the church has truly converted. And tests have been going on through decades. It's a sifting process to see a person's heart and see what's in them. Only God can really show that. But through testing, that attitude eventually comes out. Notice 2 Corinthians 11 verse 26.

2 Corinthians 11 verse 26. Paul is talking about his sufferings for Christ. He says, In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, talking about the unconverted Jews attacking him, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. And so that's something God permits too.

So during the last Passover, on the night before he died, Jesus said in John chapter 16 verse 33, John 16 verse 33, he said, In the world you will have tribulation. And all who live for Christ discover that truth. But that's not all Jesus said. He also said, Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. As we walk with Christ, we should expect two things that happen. We should expect troubles, and we should expect Christ's help to overcome them and attain that spiritual victory. Are we going to attain spiritual victory or spiritual defeat? Now I'd like to give you another definition of what true faith is. True faith in action happens in the book of Acts in chapter 5 and verse 29. Acts chapter 5 verse 29, when they came before the Sanhedrin, they were threatened to be beaten, even to be killed. It says in verse 29, when they told them in verse 28, it says, Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood on us. That was a Jewish leadership. Problem was they were unconverted, and they didn't know it. And the converted ones were being attacked, so sometimes that'll happen. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. That's a definition of faith. That's very simple. Who are you going to obey? What God says is in His word, or what man says, and what man threatens to do.

That's where you see the true mettle of the person being guided by God. And so in verse 40, they continued preaching God's word.

And so they were going to kill them, but Gamaliel, one of the Pharisees there, respected, said, Don't do it, because who knows if this is through God or not. And then verse 40 in the Sanhedrin, it says, And they agreed with Him, And when they had called for the apostles, and beaten them, that means with rods, usually that meant receiving 39 blows, because in their own detailed way, they said, Well, the maximum is 40, but we do not want to lose count and go 41. So we start, we can beat somebody almost to death. As long as it's 39, it's okay. But we have to follow the rules. And of course, they beat them. So here the apostles basically had to bear their shoulders and their backs to these beatings. All 12 were beaten at that time.

And they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. Well, how would you feel if we were here and we all got beaten at 39 rods? We're walking around. Oh man, that was horrible. Look at mine, bleeding all over. And people, I don't want to stay in the church anymore. That's enough for me. I've already gotten beaten physically and look at my back and all this. Well, it says, verse 41, so they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. So they said, wow, man, we were able to taste a little bit of what Jesus Christ did for every one of us. And that we're worthy to have done it not because of our own nature and our sins, but we actually did it for Jesus Christ. And then they disobeyed the Sanhedrin, the council, and daily in the temple and every house they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as a Christ. Well, now you know why even in this unconverted world, they made such an impact that over a billion people call themselves Christians. And although they don't understand much of the truth, at least they did improve society. And it's a society where God's church can live much more at peace than in that police state called the Roman Empire. Now Paul, what about him? How did he feel about suffering for Christ? Notice in 2 Timothy chapter 2, 2 Timothy chapter 2, in verse 23, this is what he recommends to do.

Verse 23, it says to Timothy, but avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. Sometimes you just can't convince someone and it doesn't matter. They're already set in their ways. This is what they believe. And it says, look, just avoid these foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. You're not going to get anywhere. You can try to teach as best as you can, but there are people that are set in their ways. They're not going to change. He says, and a servant of God, as Timothy was, one of the ministers, must not quarrel but be gentle to all. So that's one of the qualifications that we need. It's not a quarrelsome that is picking fights with people all the time, going after them, whatever. Rather, suffering many times silently.

Be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility, correcting those who are in opposition. Those that are against the sound doctrine and against the ministry and whatever. It says, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth, they can see themselves, not as they see themselves, but as God sees them. He's the only one that can really change a person's heart. And that they may come to their senses. That means they've lost their senses over something. And we've seen people that just saw them picky issue and they will just stand on top of that hill and they'll plant their flag. It doesn't matter if it's a tiny little hill that's insignificant. This is my way of doing things and I'm not going to change. They may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. And so that's inside the church. It's not talking about people outside the church. And we have to be gentle. We have to be patient. We have to try to win them over, help them see that situation. But there comes a time when we just can't have endless disputes over some things. Notice in Timothy, rather Titus chapter 1 and verse 7. Titus chapter 1 verse 7. Again, Paul was giving instructions to these young ministers how to handle difficult cases. And so he says the term here, bishop, is pastor. It's the same equivalent term. For a pastor must be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered. So I know that has happened before. A person that has a quick temper, he's that way, it's going to cause a lot of problems in the church.

Not given to wine, which means drinks too much wine. And a person we've had people in the church, pastors even, that have fallen into drunkenness and to an addiction. And they've had to be removed.

Not violent, not given, not greedy for money. So some make a business and still try to run a church at the same time. Now there are some that are part-time elders or part-time pastors that they're just given part-time and they can still work. Or we also have voluntary pastors don't receive any salary. They just say we just want to be voluntary pastors. So there's all kinds of categories. He says, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just holy self-control, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught.

So he's not going off with his own pet theories. He checks things out, makes sure it's what we have been taught. That he may be able by sound doctrine. The term sound there is a medical term, which means a sound bone. It's not broken. It's something healthy that helps others. It's not some crack bone that can't support weight. Teaching is that same type of thing. It doesn't support the weight of Scripture. Both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

So God permits that. People that contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, which some were still insisting the Gentiles had to be circumcised. You couldn't get them convinced otherwise. And they were a thorn in the side of the church, whose mouth must be stopped, whose subvert household, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain. Usually what happens is they will say, no, this is what I believe. And yes, it's different, but I believe I'm right. And they start talking, especially some person in the household.

And then they start getting convinced. Well, let's invite them. Let's all talk together. And pretty soon, yeah, we think this is the right way. And then they form their own little church group. And then they give their funds to them. So you see, oh, they say, oh, I never, I didn't mean for this. It just happened to be that they're giving me their tithes now. And so here we have another mushroom of a church popping out because of this. And then it goes on to say here in verse 14, it says, not giving heed to Jewish fables. There's all kinds of things from the Mishnah, the Midrash, all of these Jewish traditions.

And if you want to know Heinz 50, is it seven? Heinz 57? Jews can give you about 57 different interpretations. Well, rabbis said this is interpreted. Another rabbi here. The whole Talmud is used about all these different rabbis coming up. And so you've got all these choices. And of course, they form different groups too. He says, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men, the traditions, who turn from the truth. And I just personally, one of the toughest things that you can deal with is the person that gets into Judaism and then begins using apparels that the Jews have.

And they start bringing their own ideas of these Jewish traditions. And Jewish traditions are such that they even command which shoe you should put on in the morning. It should be, you know, the right shoe. If you put on the left shoe first, you violated one of God's laws according to their tradition.

So if you want to go that way, good luck. But I'm not interested. It says, and who turned from the truth. And then this is a startling analysis from Paul. It says, to the pure, all things are pure. You know, pure hearted. They're going to think the best. They're not out there trying to accuse and bring slander or whatever. To the pure, all things are pure.

But to those who are defiled and unbelieving, in other words, impure, nothing is pure. But even their mind and conscience are defiled. And these people still think they're part of the church. They profess to know God, but in works, in their deeds and actions, they deny Him being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. And so Paul had quite a number of people that they couldn't stand them. He mentions in 2 Timothy, right there, even in prison, he had false accusers.

People had been in the church who went after him. Notice in verse 14 of 2 Timothy 4, he says, Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm.

May the Lord repay him according to his works. He just gave them up. God will take care of it. But this Alexander the coppersmith is one of those opponents that contradicted Paul, followed him. Apparently here Paul was in prison, about to be judged by Nero himself. And Alexander the coppersmith was still there, accusing him. And if you go and you have an Alexander the coppersmith type, and you say, oh yes, I'd like to hear your version of the apostle Paul. Well, don't you think the apostle Paul has done all these wonderful things and look at the healings that he's done? What does Alexander the coppersmith say? Oh, you know, those are all black magic. You know, Satan has his workers, so all of those things are black magic. And how about all these letters? Yeah, well, he paid somebody to do that. You know Paul, he had that bad background before, persecuting the church and everything. Well, you can't win with that type of person. To those who are impure, even the purest motives, you're going to find something to attack a person by. So this is an important lesson as we take the Passover symbols. And remember, Satan always goes after the head. As soon as you start becoming a church leader or whatever, helping, you know Satan's not going to be happy. And that's where he'll go to the highest head he can to attack Christ's body.

So if we're committed to God's way of life, it should be no matter what happens, we are not going to separate our relationship with God. Notice Romans chapter 8 and verse 17.

So it says here in the middle of this paragraph, he says, and if children, talking about children of God, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. So part of the conditions is to, just like Christ was maligned and he was attacked, well don't expect anything different. And then in verse 28, Paul, still always close to God, comforting himself, says, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. God's in charge. If he says, well this person needs to go through this because I'm developing that faith, and it's something that is needed. He knows us so well better than ourselves. Notice in verse 35 of this same chapter, he says, he says, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword, as it is written, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. And we go through trials. We got unconverted people. Some people hate us for what we do. Comes with the territory. Verse 37, yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. If you have the faith, if you put God first, He's going to be there. He's going to dissipate any trial. He's going to help us overcome. It says, for I'm persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers, as we talk about Satan, nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth, nor any other created things shall be able to separate us from the love that agape, a sacrificial love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You know, we're not playing church here. This is the reality of our lives, and that's why we take the passover as we prepare for it, examining ourselves. What kind of attitudes do we have?

And so in 2 Timothy chapter 2, 2 Timothy chapter 2, verse 10, it says, therefore, says Paul, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying, for if we died with him, as we do spiritually in baptism, we shall also live with him. If we endure, talking about suffering, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. So it's conditional. This is an eternal guarantee that we are already going to make it into the kingdom. We can deny him either through our works or our words. Verse 13, and if we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself. God does not change. It's up to us to change for the better. So as we start winding down the sermon, just two more scriptures. One in Esther, chapter 4, verse 12. You remember Queen Esther? Boy, did she ever get tried and tested. She had an awful test for a young girl. In chapter 4, verse 12, here she had to go see the king because the Jewish people had been sentenced to death throughout that empire. This was the most powerful empire at that time. And so they told Mordecai Esther's words. Mordecai was the older cousin of Esther.

Esther 2.7 tells us that. And Mordecai told them to answer Esther. Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace being Jewish. She might have thought, well, it's not gonna happen to me. He says, any more than all the other Jews in that empire. For if you remain completely silent at this time, you don't do anything, relief and deliverance will arise from the Jews from another place. But you and your father's house will perish. You see, God is calling us to be part of the church, to suffer with Christ, to accept our trials, our sufferings, with faith, with patience. And then he says, yet who knows whether you have come to this kingdom for such a time as this? Yes. So time, Esther, to step up to the plate. God has been preparing you. You've got a chance to be used as God's instrument to save your people. But if you turn that offering down, if you turn your back on God, if you're not going to do anything, be passive, don't be courageous, don't stand up, don't make waves. God will bring someone else along, but you just lost the opportunity to be part of that first resurrection.

And then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, go gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise, and so I will go to the king, which is against the law. If she wasn't invited, it was lopping her head right off. And if I perish, I perish. So she showed faith, and guess what? She's part of Hebrews 11. She's part of the heroes of the faith. Do you see anybody that failed? Be part of that chapter 11? No. They're all the winners of faith. And so can we. In Revelation 3 verse 11.

Just remember what Christ tells us, and we believe we're still part of that Philadelphia era, that same attitude, preparing for the return of Christ, doing a great work. In Revelation 3 verse 11.

It says, Behold, I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. The easy reading version says, I am coming soon. Hold on to the faith you have, so that no one can take away your crown. Let's remember this commitment as we take the New Testament Passover.