A NEED AND PROMISE OF PROTECTION

A NEED AND PROMISE OF PROTECTION

“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)

 

SAFETY AND SECURITY IS A CONCERN:

We live in an unsafe world. There are potential and inherent dangers all over. The world is dealing with potential threats to human and natural safety. The good news is, there is a one-stop-shop, all-purpose and unfailing protection – THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

 

Divine Protection: The blood of the Passover lamb served as a protective mark on the Israelites’ homes, causing the death angel to "pass over" them during the final judgment against Egypt. This illustrates how the blood of Jesus Christ provides protection from spiritual death and judgment for whosoever will.

 

Obedience to God's Command: The effectiveness of the blood was contingent upon the Israelites’ obedience to God’s instructions. This teaches that faith must be accompanied by action. Believers today are called to obey God’s Word to experience His deliverance.

 

Application of the Blood and remaining within the territory: Avengers of blood are everywhere but the application of Jesus’ blood upon our hearts and abiding within the spiritual territory is the antidote.

 

1. Who gave the instructions to God’s people for preparing the Passover lamb? What can we conclude regarding God’s plan for spiritual authority? See Ephesians 4:11-13.

 

God is the Source: It is good to establish the source of any instruction. Godly or worldly? It has to be from God.

God loves orderliness: He is not the author of confusion

Spiritual communication process/hierarchy: God speaks to us through his servants

To the law and to the testimony/instructions: It has to agree with God’s spirit

Gospel guidelines: We have various “Gospel standards”. These are also Bible standards

Importance of leadership roles: Leadership is crucial and essential

Leadership & Integrity: Leaders are to maintain spiritual and moral integrity

Leadership is a call: Making the call and election sure is our responsibility

You are a leader in your own capacity and in your little corner

Spiritual authority controls the physical

How is your relationship with your Spiritual leader? If you are out of tune with your spiritual leaders, you are heading for trouble.

 

2. Why were the Israelites instructed to sacrifice a lamb without blemish? What special significance does this portray? See Hebrews 9:12-14 and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

God is perfect

Holiness unto the Lord is essential

The best is best for God

We owe it all to God

Honour and worship are due unto God

From God, back to God

Perfect output/answer deserves perfect input

 

3. What was to be done with the blood of the lamb?

Covenant Provision: There was a need for redemption. We were totally lost

Lifeline (back to God) Our only hope of reconciling with God

Spiritual Prescription: Spiritual problem demands spiritual prescription

Displayed remedy/identity, not passive identification: It must be visibly applied and visible. We cannot hide our spiritual identity

Physical display of inner transformation: The application and transformation work are spiritual and hidden, but the fruits must be visible

Application to avail: It would only avail and effective when applied

Living/abiding under spiritual territory is essential

There is wonder-working power in the blood, when applied.

 

4. List some of the ways in which the Passover lamb was a type of Christ.

God’s latter best: After the fall of man, God devised another best plan

Purposefully prepared

Damage-redemption: God did not just try to control the damage, but he redeemed it

Perfect selection process: There was no alternative best to Jesus

Unassuming: The Lamb ordinarily looks innocent and unpopular. Jesus also came as a lowly babe in a manger.

Fulfilment of God’s plan: Perfect solution to fulfil God’s purpose

Efficacy: The blood of Jesus has never and will never fail. Beautiful for every situation

 

5. Why was it necessary for the Israelites to eat this first Passover feast in haste?

The why: We must be able to establish why we are doing something

Necessity: There was a situation that requires an intervention

Relative & Peculiar: We often find ourselves in various situations. What is God saying about it?

Rapid response/answer requires immediate obedience

Day of divine visitation: The spirit of God will not always strife with us but there are days of divine visitation. Don’t miss it!

God is still calling/responding… today: When the Saviour calls/arrives will you be ready?

Rise up and do it immediately!

 

6. What was the final judgment God sent upon the Egyptians, and why? See Exodus 11:1,5.

Delayed obedience/action/response brings harder measures

Always do the right thing/respond at first time, every time, all the time

Hardness of heart leads to sudden destruction (without remedy)

Rapid response saves nine

The earlier the best (to avoid compounding consequences)

Procrastination is a thief of time and a destroyer

When two opposing sides entangle, the less eventually gives up

Wilderness experience/Schooling can be shortened by simple obedience

An unchanging God (It is we that must change to fit in)

 

7. The Israelites had to take some action to escape God’s judgment. What action must people take today if they expect to escape the judgment of God on this world? See Romans 3:23; Acts 17:30; John 3:16 and 8:31.

 

Situation: Are you tired of the situation or you can still manage?

Provision: What is God’s promise concerning the situation?

Responsibility: What are your responsibilities and action needed to activate solution?

Inherent Consequences: For every delay and disobedience, there are attendant consequences

Human Mortgaged legacy: Without God, humanity was doomed for eternal destruction

Inherited liability: It is not just about you. Your past has to be taken care of

Suspense Judgment/consequences: Are what we inherited, naturally.

Perfect love remedy: God has the perfect love and remedy, free of charge

No alternative

Believe to live

Abundant life/restoration is possible, irrespective of your past

Full measure blessing is available

Keep the legacy and the terms and conditions: Trust and obey

 

8. The Israelites were instructed to keep the Passover as a memorial forever. At Jesus’ last Passover supper, He instituted something which Christians today do in remembrance of their Passover Lamb. What is it called and what does it commemorate? See 1 Corinthians 5:7 and 11:23-26.

 

A redemption memorial, worth celebrating

A charge to keep (A God to glorify)

Lifestyle of holiness (not just an event but perpetual living)

Practical righteous living: You will be tested on all the spiritual knowledge and virtues

Spiritual communion: Spiritual team bonding with the Trinity and the church

Knowing the body of Christ: Up to date Keeping his instructions as a lifestyle

 

9. Why is it so important to answer yes immediately to the call of God to one’s heart? See Genesis 6:3; Matthew 24:44 and James 4:14.

 

The why: Do you know the blessings, opportunities and responsibilities involved?

The importance: How important is your positive response to God and yourself?

Attitude: Attitude determines altitudes, how far you will go with God

Response: Your response will define your destiny

The natural man: Will have excuses because he lacks spiritual vision

Moving of the spirit: When God speaks, wonderful things happen. Don’t say no

An encounter with God is a privilege and an opportunity of a lifetime

Day of divine visitation: God may not call again. There are others willing

Uncertainties of life/circumstances: We don’t owe our lives, we only have today

Dealing with the heart (Do you own it, are you really in control of it?)

Spiritual communication (Every time I feel the spirit…yield/say yes)

 

CONCLUSSION:

“The fact that the Israelites had faith in God, and had killed the lambs, did not save them from death. Only by following instructions and applying the blood to the doorposts were they saved. Today it takes the Blood of Jesus to save us from eternal death. When Jesus died on the Cross and rose again, He completed God’s perfect plan of salvation. As the truly unblemished Lamb, He shed His Blood that we might be saved.”

 

Are you washed in the Blood of the Lamb?

Are you abiding under the Spiritual hedge?

There is yet hope!