Silver Lake Presbyterian Church

THEN, AFTER OUR SCRIPTURE, I'D LIKE TO COMPARE THAT REMEMBRANCE AND CELEBRATION OF THEIR FREEDOM, FROM SLAVERY TO HOW WE REMEMBER JESUS AND HIS RESCUE OF US, FROM OUR SINS. THIS SCRIPTURE TAKES PLACE JUST BEFORE THE ISRAELITES CROSS THROUGH THE RED SEA. THEY HAVE BEEN FREED BY THE PHARAOH AND ARE HEADED FOR THE LAND GOD HAD GIVEN TO ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCENDENTS MORE THAN 600 YEARS BEFORE.

NOW, AFTER 430 YEARS OF LIFE IN EGYPT, THE LAST YEARS OF WHICH WERE AS SLAVES, GOD HAD USED MOSES AND AARON TO SET THEM FREE. LET'S READ OR LISTEN INTENTLY TO THE WORD OF GOD AS FOUND IN

EXODUS 13:1-13.

1 THE LORD SAID TO MOSES,

2 "CONSECRATE TO ME EVERY FIRSTBORN MALE. THE FIRST OFFSPRING OF EVERY WOMB AMONG THE ISRAELITES BELONGS TO ME, WHETHER MAN OR ANIMAL."

3 THEN MOSES SAID TO THE PEOPLE, "COMMEMORATE THIS DAY, THE DAY YOU CAME OUT OF EGYPT, OUT OF THE LAND OF SLAVERY, BECAUSE THE LORD BROUGHT YOU OUT OF IT WITH A MIGHTY HAND. EAT NOTHING CONTAINING YEAST.

4 TODAY, IN THE MONTH OF ABIB, YOU ARE LEAVING.

5 WHEN THE LORD BRINGS YOU INTO THE LAND OF THE CANAANITES, HITTITES, AMORITES, HIVITES AND JEBUSITESÂ—THE LAND HE SWORE TO YOUR FOREFATHERS TO GIVE YOU, A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEYÂ—YOU ARE TO OBSERVE THIS CEREMONY IN THIS MONTH: 6 FOR SEVEN DAYS EAT BREAD MADE WITHOUT YEAST AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY HOLD A FESTIVAL TO THE LORD.

7 EAT UNLEAVENED BREAD DURING THOSE SEVEN DAYS; NOTHING WITH YEAST IN IT IS TO BE SEEN AMONG YOU, NOR SHALL ANY YEAST BE SEEN ANYWHERE WITHIN YOUR BORDER

8 ON THAT DAY TELL YOUR SON, 'I DO THIS BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD DID FOR ME WHEN I CAME OUT OF EGYPT.'

9 THIS OBSERVANCE WILL BE FOR YOU LIKE A SIGN ON YOUR HAND AND A REMINDER ON YOUR FOREHEAD THAT THE LAW OF THE LORD IS TO BE ON YOUR LIPS. FOR THE LORD BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT WITH HIS MIGHTY HAND.

10 YOU MUST KEEP THIS ORDINANCE AT THE APPOINTED TIME YEAR AFTER YEAR. 11 "AFTER THE LORD BRINGS YOU INTO THE LAND OF THE CANAANITES AND GIVES IT TO YOU, AS HE PROMISED ON OATHS TO YOU AND YOUR FOREFATHERS,

12 YOU ARE TO GIVE OVER TO THE LORD THE FIRST OFFSPRING OF EVERY WOMB. ALL THE FIRSTBORN MALES OF YOUR LIVESTOCK BELONG TO THE LORD.

13 REDEEM WITH A LAMB EVERY FIRSTBORN DONKEY, BUT IF YOU DO NOT REDEEM IT, BREAK ITS NECK. REDEEM EVERY FIRSTBORN AMONG YOUR SONS.

JESUS TOLD US TO REMEMBER HIS SACRIFICE, ON THE CROSS, SO THAT WE COULD BE RECONCILED BACK TO GOD. IN OBEDIENCE, WE PRACTICE THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION EACH MONTH. TODAY IS ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS. I CHOSE THE OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGE FROM EXODUS TO HELP US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THIS CELEBRATION OF OUR SAVIOR.

I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT TODAY BY MIXING THE SERMON AND OUR COMMUNION SERVICE, SO LET'S BEGIN WITH OUR FAMILIAR WORDS: CHILDREN OF THE LORD, HEAR WHAT GRACIOUS WORDS OUR SAVIOR SAYS TO ALL WHO TRULY TURN TO HIM:

COME UNTO ME, ALL YOU THAT LABOR AND ARE BURDENED DOWN WITH CARES, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN FROM ME; FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART; AND YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE; ANYONE THAT COMES TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER; AND ANYONE THAT BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER THIRST. WHOEVER COMES TO ME, I WILL IN NO WAY CAST OUT.”

THIS IS AN OCCASION THAT CHRISTIANS FEEL THE PRESENCE OF GOD, IN A SSPECIAL WAY, AND IT IS AN OCCASION WHEN WE SHOULD FIND GREAT MEANING IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES.

(UNCOVER ELEMENTS)

COMMUNION IS THE PRIVILEGE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN. INDEED, OF ALL OF THE MIRACLES THAT JESUS PERFORMED AND OF THE INSPIRED TEACHINGS THAT HE GAVE US, THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTION THAT HE WANTS AND TELLS US TO REMEMBER IS THAT HE DIED FOR US FOR OUR SALVATION.

IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMAND, CHRISTIANS REGULARLY MEET AROUND THIS TABLE TO BE REMINDED OF THE PRICE THAT WAS PAID ON OUR BEHALF.

THIS MORNING, LET'S PREPARE OURSELVES BY GOING BACK SOME 3,500 YEARS AGO TO THE TIME OF MOSES.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THERE WAS A TIME THAT WAS CALLED 'PASSOVER'. MUCH OF THE SYMBOLS WE HAVE WITH OUR COMMUNION COME FROM THAT TIME OF CELEBRATION. IN THE PASSOVER MEAL, THE BREAD HAD A SPECIAL AND SPECIFIC SIGNIFICANCE. WHEN THE HEBREW WOMEN MADE THEIR HOUSEHOLD BREAD, THEY TOOK A PIECE OF FERMENTED DOUGH THEY HAD SAVED FROM A PREVIOUS DAY, WITH YEAST CAUSING THE FERMENTATION AND MIXED IT INTO THEIR PURE FRESH FLOUR. WITH TIME, THE YEAST WOULD OVERTAKE THE DOUGH AND SHE COULD THEN MAKE HER FAMILY'S DAILY BREAD. (AFTER SAVING A PIECE FOR FUTURE BAKING, OF COURSE.) IF YOU AREN'T A BAKER, YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE YEAST MADE THE BREAD RISE AND BE SOFT. UNLEAVENED BREAD IS FLAT AND HARDER. WHEN GOD DELIVERED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPTIAN BONDAGE, THERE WASN'T TIME TO BAKE BREAD OR ALLOW THE YEAST TO FERMENT. THEY HAD TO EAT THEIR BREAD UNLEAVENED.

EATING UNLEAVENED BREAD, WHICH DIDN'T LOOK OR TASTE AS GOOD, BECAME A REMINDER OF THE TIME WHEN GOD DELIVERED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OUT OF BONDAGE.

IN EXODUS 13:8-9, GOD GAVE MEANING TO THE UNLEAVENED BREAD, WHEN HE SAID, "AND YOU SHALL TELL YOUR SON ON THAT DAY, SAYING, 'IT IS BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD DID FOR ME WHEN I CAME OUT OF EGYPT.' "AND IT SHALL SERVE AS A SIGN TO YOU 'THAT THE LAW OF THE LORD MAY BE IN YOUR MOUTH; FOR WITH A POWERFUL HAND THE LORD BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT."

AT THE LORD'S SUPPER, WHICH HAPPENED DURING THIS JEWISH PASSOVER CELEBRATION, THE BREAD THAT CELEBRATED THE PEOPLE'S DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPTIAN BONDAGE TOOK ON A NEW MEANING. TODAY, IT COMMEMORATES JESUS' BROKEN BODY AND CELEBRATES THE CHRISTIAN'S DELIVERANCE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN. BECAUSE OF JESUS' DEATH ON THE CROSS AND HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE TOMB, ETERNAL LIFE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST. AS WE PREPARE TO RECEIVE THIS SYMBOL OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, LET’S PRAY TOGETHER. FATHER GOD, OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE AND JOY AT THE WONDER OF YOUR SALVATION. LORD THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW WE FEEL, KNOWING JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR. HELP US NOW TO GRASP SOMETHING OF THE PAIN YOU SUFFERED IN SEEING YOUR SON DIE UPON A CROSS AND SOMETHING OF THE PAIN JESUS SUFFERED FOR EACH OF US. LORD MAY I NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. AS I NOW RECEIVE COMMUNION, MAY I KNOW YOUR PRESENCE AND BLESSING IN A NEW WAY. WORK IN MY LIFE I PRAY AND MAY I BE THE PERSON YOU CALL ME TO BE. OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE JESUS AND ALSO THAT I REMEMBER THE PRAYER YOU TAUGHT YOUR DISCIPLES SAYING, “OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN; HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE; ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS; AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION; BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL; FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER. AMEN

THE LORD JESUS, ON THE NIGHT OF HIS ARREST, TOOK BREAD, AND AFTER GIVING THANKS TO GOD, HE BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES, SAYING: 'TAKE, EAT. THIS IS MY BODY, GIVEN FOR YOU. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.' THIS IS THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE BREAD OF HEAVEN, EAT ALL OF IT.

AT THE FIRST COMMUNION, WHEN JESUS HANDED THE CUP TO HIS DISCIPLES, THEY NATURALLY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB SMEARED ON THE DOORPOST OF THEIR ANCESTORS' HOMES IN EGYPT. THIS WAS DONE IN PREPARATION FOR THE TENTH PLAGUE, AFTER GOD INSTRUCTED THE DESCENDENTS OF ABRAHAM TO PUT THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB ON THE TWO DOORPOSTS AND ON THE LINTEL OF THE HOUSE.

GOD HAD MADE A COVENANT WITH HIS CHILDREN: WHEN THE DEATH ANGEL SAW THE BLOOD ON THE DOORPOSTS, IT WOULD "PASS OVER" THAT HOUSE.

BUT ANY HOUSE THAT DID NOT HAVE THE BLOOD ON THE DOORPOSTS AND LINTEL, THE DEATH ANGEL WOULD VISIT THEIR HOME AND KILL THEIR FIRST BORN SON.

THE LORD SAID IN EXODUS 12:13

"AND THE BLOOD SHALL BE A SIGN FOR YOU ON THE HOUSES WHERE YOU LIVE; AND WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD I WILL PASS OVER YOU, AND NO PLAGUE WILL BEFALL YOU TO DESTROY YOU WHEN I STRIKE THE LAND OF EGYPT."

AS OUR LORD’S DISCIPLES DRANK THE WINE, THEY REMEMBERED THE BLOOD COVENANT, BUT THAT NIGHT OF HIS BETRAYAL, ARREST, TRIAL AND EXECUTION--JESUS REINTERPRETED THE WINE TO SYMBOLIZE A NEW COVENANT.

IN THE LORD’S SUPPER, JESUS' BLOOD NOW SYMBOLIZES MORE THAN DELIVERANCE AND SALVATION FROM A SINGLE NIGHT OF TERROR 3,500 YEARS AGO. INSTEAD, IT CELEBRATES ETERNAL SALVATION FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM.

PETER WRITES IN 1 PETER 1:18-19 "KNOWING THAT YOU WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH PERISHABLE THINGS LIKE SILVER OR GOLD FROM YOUR FUTILE WAY OF LIFE INHERITED FROM YOUR FOREFATHERS, BUT WITH PRECIOUS BLOOD, AS OF A LAMB UNBLEMISHED AND SPOTLESS, THE BLOOD OF CHRIST."

TODAY, AS WE PARTAKE OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE, WE CELEBRATE ETERNAL SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST.

THEN, THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,

"AND WHEN HE HAD TAKEN A CUP AND GIVEN THANKS, HE GAVE IT TO THEM, SAYING, "DRINK FROM IT, ALL OF YOU; FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS POURED OUT FOR MANY FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME"

THIS IS THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, THE CUP OF SALVATION. DRINK ALL OF IT.

LET'S STAND TOGETHER FOR PRAYER AND THE SINGING OF OUR BENEDICTION HYMN.

LOVING GOD, WE THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE FED US IN THIS HOLY MEAL, UNITED US WITH CHRIST, AND GIVEN US A FORETASTE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST OF JESUS, YOUR SON, THAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, SOME DAY. PLEASE STRENGTHEN US IN YOUR SERVICE THAT OUR DAILY LIVING MAY SHOW OUR THANKS. WE PRAY THIS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR. NOW MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY GHOST, BE WITH YOU ALL, AMEN