Exodus 12:24-32 “Obey
these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your
descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will
give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your
children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell
them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the
houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the
Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. The Israelites
did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. At
midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt,
from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the
prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the
livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the
Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for
there was not a house without someone dead. During the night Pharaoh summoned
Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go,
worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks
and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”
We just crossed over into
year 2019 AD. AD is short for the Latin “Anno
Domini”, translated as "Year of the Lord." Every time someone speaks
or writes the date, they acknowledge Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of the
world. This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle started a new sermon series and preached a message
that was applicable for starting a new year in our lives.
As we entered into a new
year, it’s natural to take inventory and make an analysis of where we stand,
then formulate a plan and construct appropriate changes to create corrections
and meet goals for improvement, growth and maturity. Just as faith in God’s plan
of salvation through the Christmas gift of the blessed Redeemer Jesus by grace
set us free from the bondage of sin, we need to constantly be moving from
slavery to freedom. In order to do so, we need to remember that first and
foremost, freedom isn’t free. There is a cost in our freedom. Understand your
personal bondage to sin. There was suffering and sacrifice in God’s promise and
redemption paid by the Lord. Blood had to be spilled to pay for those sins. Our
sin and associated death were passed over and we need to feel that loss and appreciate
what God has done.
1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Cleanse
out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.
For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
Secondly, in order to move
out of slavery and into freedom, we need to act accordingly and take steps to
move towards greater freedom. God wants us to cast off the things that weigh us
down in slavery (physically, mentally and spiritually). Fallen sinners saved
need t recognize the items and issues in their lives that are not pleasing in
the eyes of the Lord. Healing moment need to led to a healing process. Admit
wrongs and repent because sin creates a slave mindset pattern. Church is one
major healing element, so make the assembly of the sanctified a priority.
Let's continue Pastor Kyle's message on "freedom" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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