God's Passover Lamb (Part 2)
Jesus Christ is the Eternal Lamb who was slain to take away the sin of the world, and we must hold onto God's promises and be prepared for judgment.
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the significance of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, drawing parallels between the Old Testament Passover and Christ's sacrifice. He highlights the importance of the blood of Jesus, which opens the way to God, contrasting it with the hardness of heart shown by the Jews who resisted God's work. Stegen warns against taking God's promises lightly, using Judas as an example of lost opportunity due to greed. He reminds believers to examine themselves and remove the old leaven from their lives, symbolizing the need for spiritual renewal. The sermon culminates in the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, affirming His identity as the Son of God and the giver of new life.
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Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen, 20 Apr 2014
John 19
14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
When the Israelites had to kill the passover lamb, some of the blood had to be placed on the doorposts. The firstborn in any house without the blood was killed, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the captive in the jail (Exo 12:29).
When Jesus was slain the thick vail, to the Holy of Holies, was torn and opened. God Himself tore the vail to show that the way was now open for all to enter, God having provided the Eternal Lamb to take away the sin of the world (Matt 27:51).
When Jesus told the High Priest that He was the Son of God and would come again on the clouds, the high priest tore his robe and accused Jesus of blasphemy, little knowing that he was resisting God's work (Matt 26:65). It is recorded that after the vail was torn, the Jews sewed together the torn vail and hung a second behind it so that it would never tear again, as they thought. It only lasted until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It shows the hardness of man's heart. In stead of bowing before God and entering into His will, they resisted Him and tried to remedy the situation in their own way.
The Bible says, 'hold on to what you have received lest someone take your crown' (Rev 3:11). Jesus said to the twelve that they would sit with Him on twelve thrones, yet Judas lost it for the love of money. Do not count God's promises lightly, but treasure it.
Don't think it helps to slaughter for the ancestors. It's appointed for man once to die and after that the Judgment (Heb 9:27). There is a gulf also between heaven and hell as Abraham told the rich man (Luke 16:26).
We've commemorated His death on Friday and today that He arose from the dead.
The Passover celebration comes from the Old Testament where the angel would pass over those who had the blood sprinkled on the doorposts.
Jesus, in rising from the dead, showed thereby that He was indeed the one He claimed to be, the Son of God. And so too when He is born in your life, and His blood applied in your life, He gives new life.
Never take it lightly what God has done to save you. Take out the old leaven, even as the Israelites had to make sure there's no leaven with them in the house. The leaven represents the old life.
We must examine ourselves lest we partake unworthily and bring a curse upon ourselves (1Cor 11:27-34).
Sermon Outline
- I. The Significance of the Passover Lamb
- A. The Israelites' need for the blood on the doorposts
- B. The consequences of not having the blood
- II. Jesus as the Eternal Lamb
- A. The tearing of the veil in the temple
- B. The opening of the way to God for all
- III. The Importance of Holding onto God's Promises
- A. Don't count God's promises lightly
- B. Treasure God's promises in your heart
- IV. The Reality of Death and Judgment
- A. There is a gulf between heaven and hell
- B. We must be prepared for judgment
Key Quotes
“hold on to what you have received lest someone take your crown” — Erlo Stegen
“It's appointed for man once to die and after that the Judgment” — Erlo Stegen
“We must examine ourselves lest we partake unworthily and bring a curse upon ourselves” — Erlo Stegen
Application Points
- We must hold onto God's promises and not take them lightly.
- We must examine ourselves before partaking of the Lord's Supper.
- We must be prepared for judgment and the reality of death and heaven or hell.