On the Third Day
WHATEVER IS LEFT WILL BE CONTAMINATED
Leviticus 7:18
If any of the meat from this peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted by the LORD. It will have no value as a sacrifice, and you will receive no credit for bringing it as an offering. By then, the meat will be contaminated; if you eat it, you will have to answer for your sin.
How many days can you fridge leftovers? At some point they get contaminated.
Jesus claimed that like Jonah was three days in the belly of a whale, He would be three days in the earth and then rise again. He claimed that His body would not get contaminated.
No resurrection, then no real Christianity. Jesus’ claim to be God would have failed the test.
But what does this third day theme mean for me and you on a personal level?
Had Jesus not arisen from the dead, there would be no hope for you and me.
We are going to look at the significance of what has happened on the third day in various scriptures.
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
YOUR SACRIFICE WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU
Abraham: Genesis 22
Isaac: Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.
Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life.
Matthew 16:25
If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.
What have you given up for the Lord? What have you sacrificed?
Job: “Lord gives and takes away.” Job gave it up freely and God returned it to him.
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
GOD WILL SPEAK TO YOU
Israel: Exodus 19:9-15
Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a thick cloud so the people themselves can hear me as I speak to you. Then they will always have confidence in you. "Moses told the LORD what the people had said. 10 Then the LORD told Moses, "Go down and prepare the people for my visit. Purify them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for I will come down upon Mount Sinai as all the people watch.
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
GOD WILL PROVIDE
Israel: Exodus 15:22
Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the Shur Desert. They traveled in this desert for three days without water.
Times when you don’t necessarily need God to speak to you, but you need Him to “show Himself mighty” on your behalf.
If it is within His will, He will provide. All you need to do is ask. We don’t have b/c we don’t ask. When we ask we consume (James).
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
GOD’S VISION WILL BE FULFILLED
Israel: Josh 1:11
"Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your God has given you."
Has God placed a vision in your heart about what He wants to do with you?
If it is His vision, it will be fulfilled.
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
GOD WILL GIVE VICTORY OVER YOUR ENEMY
Spies: Josh 2:16, 22
"Escape to the hill country," she told them. "Hide there for three days until the men who are searching for you have returned; then go on your way." The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them had searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned to the city without success.
Did you know the enemy is searching for you?
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
What sin do you struggle with? Did you know God can give you victory over this temptation?
Always leaves you a way of escape.
Ask God for a hiding spot.
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
YOUR NAME WILL BE CLEARED
Cupbearer: Genesis 40:13
Is someone smearing you?
Someone think ill of you?
Let God deal with it.
ON THE THIRD DAY . . .
GOD CAN HEAL YOUR BODY
Hezekiah: 2 Kings 20:5
"Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ’This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the LORD.
Thank God for the resurrection; we look forward to a day when their will be no sickness. We thank God that He has the power to heal.
Come what may, we know that GOD HAS THE FINAL WORD.
FRIDAY WAS FULL OF PAIN AND AGONY, B/C OF WHAT THE SAVIOR HAD TO ENDURE FOR US,
BUT FRIDAY WASN’T THE END, SUNDAY CAME.
IN YOUR LIFE AND MINE, IT MAY BE FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY IS COMING.
Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
Cornerstone Community Church
Marlborough MA
www.faithandreality.com
info@faithandreality.com
