God's Faithfulness: From Passover to Communion

Summary

### Summary

Tonight, we reflected on the story of Passover and its significance in our lives today. We began by remembering the fear and uncertainty faced by the Israelites in Egypt, who were enslaved and oppressed. This historical context set the stage for understanding God's deliverance through Moses, who was called to lead the Israelites out of bondage. Despite their initial reluctance and repeated disobedience, God provided for them, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness.

We explored the narrative from Genesis to Exodus, highlighting key figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and how their stories intertwined to bring the Israelites to Egypt. We then focused on Moses' journey, his calling, and the ten plagues that culminated in the first Passover. This event marked a pivotal moment where God instructed the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, sparing them from the final plague and leading to their liberation.

The sermon emphasized the recurring theme of human disobedience and God's persistent grace. The Israelites' struggle to follow simple instructions, such as gathering manna, mirrored our own tendencies to rely on our understanding rather than trusting in God's provision. Despite their failures, God continued to provide, illustrating His patience and love.

We connected the Passover to the Last Supper, where Jesus, the ultimate sacrificial lamb, instituted a new covenant through His body and blood. This act of communion reminds us of God's ongoing presence and provision in our lives, inviting us to participate in His story actively.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Faithfulness Amidst Human Disobedience: The story of the Israelites in Egypt and their journey to freedom highlights God's unwavering faithfulness despite human disobedience. Even when the Israelites failed to follow simple instructions, God continued to provide for them, demonstrating His patience and love. This reminds us that God's grace is persistent, and He remains faithful even when we falter. [44:21]

2. The Importance of Trusting God's Provision: The Israelites' struggle to trust God's provision, as seen in their gathering of manna, reflects our own challenges in relying on God. We often try to take matters into our own hands, but true sustenance comes from trusting in God's provision. This teaches us to depend on God for our needs, both physical and spiritual, and to follow His guidance faithfully. [43:43]

3. The Significance of Passover and Communion: The Passover event, where the Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Last Supper, Jesus instituted a new covenant through His body and blood, inviting us to participate in His story. This connection between Passover and Communion underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan and our role in it. [51:38]

4. God's Call to Each of Us: Just as God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He calls each of us to participate in His kingdom work. Our callings may differ, but they are all vital to building God's kingdom. Recognizing and responding to God's call requires us to trust in His provision and guidance, knowing that He equips us for the tasks He sets before us. [30:06]

5. The Cycle of Human Dependence and God's Provision: The Israelites' repeated cycle of crying out to God, receiving His provision, and then turning away reflects a common human pattern. This cycle teaches us the importance of remaining steadfast in our dependence on God, continually seeking His guidance and provision. It also highlights God's enduring patience and willingness to provide for us, even when we stray. [37:07]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[13:51] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[25:51] - Introduction to Exodus
[29:00] - Joseph's Journey to Egypt
[30:06] - God's Call to Moses
[31:51] - The Ten Plagues
[32:25] - The Tenth Plague and Passover
[35:17] - The Israelites' Journey to Freedom
[38:23] - The Israelites' Complaints and God's Provision
[42:23] - Gathering Manna and Sabbath Observance
[47:55] - Connecting Passover to Communion
[51:38] - Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb
[54:43] - Communion and God's Presence
[56:39] - Invitation to Communion
[57:25] - Communion Distribution

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 11:1-8 - The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn
2. Exodus 12:29-32 - The Passover and Exodus
3. Exodus 16:1-8, 14-15, 23-30 - God's Provision of Manna

### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give the Israelites regarding the Passover lamb and the marking of their doorposts? ([32:25])
2. How did Pharaoh react after the tenth plague, and what did he command Moses and Aaron to do? ([34:47])
3. What was the Israelites' reaction to their situation in the wilderness, and how did God respond to their complaints? ([38:23])
4. What were the Israelites supposed to do with the manna they gathered, and what happened when they disobeyed God's instructions? ([40:45])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose such a dramatic method (the ten plagues) to free the Israelites from Egypt? What does this tell us about God's power and justice? ([31:51])
2. How does the story of the Israelites' disobedience and God's provision in the wilderness reflect our own struggles with faith and trust in God? ([37:07])
3. In what ways does the Passover prefigure the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how does this connection deepen our understanding of Communion? ([51:38])
4. What does the repeated cycle of the Israelites' dependence on God and their subsequent disobedience teach us about human nature and God's grace? ([37:40])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's provision. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from the Israelites' experience with manna? ([43:43])
2. The Israelites often wanted to return to Egypt despite their suffering there. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to return to old habits or situations because they seem easier? How can you trust God to lead you forward? ([37:40])
3. How can you actively participate in God's story today, just as the Israelites were called to follow God's instructions during the Passover? What specific steps can you take this week? ([51:38])
4. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness when you face challenges or uncertainties? Consider creating a tangible reminder, like a journal or a visual symbol. ([44:21])
5. How does understanding the connection between Passover and Communion enhance your experience of the Lord's Supper? How can you make this sacrament more meaningful in your spiritual life? ([53:48])
6. Think about a time when you felt God's call in your life. How did you respond, and what can you do to be more open and obedient to God's guidance in the future? ([30:06])
7. The Israelites' story shows a pattern of crying out to God, receiving His help, and then turning away. How can you break this cycle in your own life and maintain a consistent dependence on God? ([37:07])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Faithfulness Amidst Human Disobedience
Despite our failures, God remains faithful and provides for us.

The story of the Israelites in Egypt and their journey to freedom highlights God's unwavering faithfulness despite human disobedience. The Israelites, enslaved and oppressed, faced fear and uncertainty. Yet, God delivered them through Moses, who led them out of bondage. Despite their initial reluctance and repeated disobedience, God provided for them, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness. This narrative reminds us that God's grace is persistent, and He remains faithful even when we falter. The Israelites' struggle to follow simple instructions, such as gathering manna, mirrors our own tendencies to rely on our understanding rather than trusting in God's provision. Despite their failures, God continued to provide, illustrating His patience and love. [44:21]

Exodus 16:4-5 (ESV): "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you relied on your understanding instead of trusting God's provision. How did God show His faithfulness to you despite your disobedience?

Day 2: The Importance of Trusting God's Provision
True sustenance comes from trusting in God's provision.

The Israelites' struggle to trust God's provision, as seen in their gathering of manna, reflects our own challenges in relying on God. We often try to take matters into our own hands, believing that our ways are better or more efficient. However, true sustenance comes from trusting in God's provision. The Israelites were instructed to gather only what they needed for each day, teaching them to depend on God daily. This teaches us to depend on God for our needs, both physical and spiritual, and to follow His guidance faithfully. By trusting in God's provision, we acknowledge His sovereignty and care over our lives. [43:43]

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV): "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to take control instead of trusting God's provision? How can you practice relying on Him more fully today?

Day 3: The Significance of Passover and Communion
Passover prefigures Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, connecting to Communion.

The Passover event, where the Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This act of marking the doorposts spared the Israelites from the final plague and led to their liberation. In the Last Supper, Jesus instituted a new covenant through His body and blood, inviting us to participate in His story. This connection between Passover and Communion underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan and our role in it. By partaking in Communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and acknowledge His ongoing presence and provision in our lives. [51:38]

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (ESV): "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. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Reflection: How does understanding the connection between Passover and Communion deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice? How can you actively participate in His story today?

Day 4: God's Call to Each of Us
God calls each of us to participate in His kingdom work.

Just as God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He calls each of us to participate in His kingdom work. Our callings may differ, but they are all vital to building God's kingdom. Recognizing and responding to God's call requires us to trust in His provision and guidance, knowing that He equips us for the tasks He sets before us. Moses initially doubted his ability to lead, but God assured him of His presence and provision. Similarly, we may feel inadequate or uncertain about our callings, but God equips and empowers us to fulfill His purposes. [30:06]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What is one specific way you feel God is calling you to participate in His kingdom work? How can you take a step of faith in responding to that call today?

Day 5: The Cycle of Human Dependence and God's Provision
Remain steadfast in dependence on God, recognizing His enduring patience.

The Israelites' repeated cycle of crying out to God, receiving His provision, and then turning away reflects a common human pattern. This cycle teaches us the importance of remaining steadfast in our dependence on God, continually seeking His guidance and provision. It also highlights God's enduring patience and willingness to provide for us, even when we stray. By recognizing this cycle, we can strive to break it by maintaining a consistent and faithful relationship with God. This involves daily seeking His presence, trusting in His provision, and acknowledging His sovereignty in our lives. [37:07]

Psalm 78:38-39 (ESV): "Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you turned away from God after receiving His provision. How can you remain steadfast in your dependence on Him moving forward?

Quotes

1. "Who does God call? Seems like recently God calls old people but also God calls you too. In and where you are to do something. God spoke to Moses telling him to go back to Egypt to help free the Israelites from Pharaoh's grip. And God gave Moses the words to say Moses had a speech impediment but God gave him back his brother Aaron who helped him in speaking to Pharaoh what God was instructing him to do." [31:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What we see here is that God provided even in their despair, even in their unfaithfulness, even in having no trust in the one true God who has given to them over and over and over and provided for them over and over and over, they still had issue with looking to God for the full sustenance and substance that they need that they're calling and crying out to God for." [44:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We fail as humanity does. We fail at fully living into our callings, the movements of God, because we think we have a better way when in fact if we just allow the sustenance of God, the actual true sustenance from God, to be the gift from God that is given to us, to accept it as a gift from God given to us, it will be a lot easier to fulfill the callings that each and every one of us have to live a life in this God story and what a greater blessing it will be." [47:14] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And we skip many, many, many years now into who we are today as followers of Jesus Christ. And we see that in the last days of Jesus' life, Jesus is, as we understand, God incarnate, 100% human, 100% deity. The math doesn't make sense, but that's who God is. Not half God, fully God, in human form, walked this earth. And in his last days, his last days, he was offered as the ultimate sacrificial lamb to fulfill the forgiveness of sin for all of us." [51:38] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so in the simple, in the simpleness of bread, in the simpleness of juice, the presence of God is with us. The presence of God's spirit is somehow swirling among us. It's, as odd as that may sound, God's spirit is present in this room tonight. And most importantly, God's presence is within this meal for us tonight. It's a meal on this table that is open to every person that has entered these doors." [54:43] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When we cry out to God, when we are looking for the help from God, when we are trying to listen for God, are we really wanting to listen and take an answer from God? Are we really wanting God's help? The people here that have followed Moses and the Moses that God has called to bring God's people out of slavery, did they really want help from God? Did they really want to listen to instruction from God?" [42:58] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "God calls every single one of us in some way to do something for the building of God's kingdom. Why did God call Moses? If we kind of go back a little bit we understand Moses figures out his identity as a Hebrew right? And then this is just some imagery of some plagues happening, right? So he figures out his identity as a Hebrew so he kills one of the slave masters. He jets off fifty years later when the man's in his eighties he goes back. God calls him back to Egypt to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go." [30:06] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "What are the key elements for us from this passage, us as a part of the story of God and us moving forward living out and living within the story of God? First off, when we sort of talked about this in the last several weeks, when we cry out to God, when we are looking for the help from God, when we are trying to listen for God, are we really wanting to listen and take an answer from God? Are we really wanting God's help?" [42:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And then those families, the Hebrew people, then left Egypt. And we skip many, many, many years now into who we are today as followers of Jesus Christ. And we see that in the last days of Jesus' life, Jesus is, as we understand, God incarnate, 100% human, 100% deity. The math doesn't make sense, but that's who God is. Not half God, fully God, in human form, walked this earth. And in his last days, his last days, he was offered as the ultimate sacrificial lamb to fulfill the forgiveness of sin for all of us." [51:38] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And so in the simple, in the simpleness of bread, in the simpleness of juice, the presence of God is with us. The presence of God's spirit is somehow swirling among us. It's, as odd as that may sound, God's spirit is present in this room tonight. And most importantly, God's presence is within this meal for us tonight. It's a meal on this table that is open to every person that has entered these doors." [54:43] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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