Passover Series

THEME: IT IS FINISHED

TOPIC: THE PASSOVER

MAIN TEXT: EXODUS 12:7-13, LUKE 22:1,8-22

INTRODUCTION

Passover was established by God, when God rescued His people from Egyptian slavery. It commemorates the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. The day that the spirit of death would passover the houses of Israel because of the blood covenant- Exodus 12:13. It is also significant in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ; liberating us from the bondage and slavery of sin and evil.

A) JESUS CHRIST AS THE PASSOVER LAMB

The Law of Moses which gave the Passover to Israel carefully prescribed the manner in which it was to be kept. The outstanding feature of that religious feast was the lamb offered by the Priests in the temple of Jerusalem, commemorating the Lamb slain in Egypt. In the Old covenant, they sacrificed a lamb and ate unleavened bread with bitter herbs as they did on the night of their departure from the land of Egypt. In the New covenant, it is celebrated with wine and bread which is known as the Lord's Supper or the Holy Communion. The wine represents the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross while the bread speaks of His body broken for our salvation. This speaks about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I) Jesus Christ is the only qualified Saviour - Revelation 5:5-12

ii) Jesus Christ was prophesied by Prophets as the Lamb - Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29

iii) Jesus Christ as the last Lamb - John 19:28-30, 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Question: Since the sacrifice of lambs was written in the Old testament by Moses, should we continue in it? And why?

B) THE NEW COVENANT: Luke 22:20, Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23

Covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. The new covenant is now made in the blood of Jesus Christ. It is dependent on the death of Christ - Hebrews 9:16-22. It indicates and promotes the communion of believers with Christ and represents the mutual fellowship among Christians. The new covenant is the seal and foundation for all believers. This is the covenant of life - the God kind of life - John 6:51-56, 1 Corinthians 11:26.

C) MANNER OF PARTAKING IN THE LORD'S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION)

I) You must be born again - John 6:53-58

ii) Examine yourself and amend your ways through confessional prayers - 1 Corinthians 11:27-30

iii) It should not be taken in divisions, strife and hatred - 1 Corinthians 5:8, 1 Corinthians 11:17-18, 1 Corinthians 10:17

iv) In remembrance of Jesus' death and victory on the cross - 1 Corinthians 11:26, John 19:30.

v) It should be seen and taken as sacred - 1 Corinthians 11:33-34, 1 Corinthians 11:21-22

CONCLUSION - Do not be part of this Holy Communion on earth alone but be there on the Lord's Table in heaven - Matthew 26:29. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.