How are we going to be remember - Tabitha April 30, 2022

 How are we going to be remember - Tabitha             April 30, 2022 

How are we going to be remember to others after our death in this life.  We know we are going to be changed when our Lord Jesus returns to the earth. 

Let’s stop for a minute, think about someone you really knew as a close friend and have died.  Waiting to see them in the future.  Remember how you were affected by them. 

Let’s look at the life of one woman from the Scriptures, a disciple of our Lord Jesus and what she did.  Dorcas restored to life.  Remember, in our discussion some do not believe women are considered disciples and doing what is good. 

Acts 9:36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was known for her good actions and acts of charity that she was always doing. 

Tabitha lived in Joppa, {today know as Jaffa} a seaport town in Palestine, 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem, a Mediterranean coastal city. Dorcas in the Greek (meaning "gazelle"), a saintly Christian noted for her good works and acts of love for the poor and deeds of love 

Solomon used this port to receive timber that was used for the building of the Temple. Joppa is where Jonah ran to catch a boat for Tarshish.  Joppa is situated in a fertile plain now celebrated for its fine oranges, 

Some things to observe about Dorcas, shows Christian character 

Dorcas had three names: She’s known as Tabitha, AKA Dorcas & Gazelle. Tabitha is her Aramaic (Syrian) name and Dorcas is her Grecian name. Both of these names mean gazelle or any small antelope of Africa and Asia, a creature with stunning eyes and swift feet and graceful movements. 

Dorcas is called a disciple in vs 36, that it may be seen that under the gospel there is no distinction between male and female 

Dorcas is the only woman called a disciple in the Scriptures. A disciple was a learner, a follower and one who was determined to be like his or her teacher.  She was committed follower of Jesus. 

Disciple: 3102; mathetria {math-ay-tree-ah} means a female pupil, a disciple. Used only here with Apostle Paul, 1 time 

Acts 9:10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. 

Disciple: 3101; mathetes {a learner, that is, a pupil – disciple} 268 times 

Lets look at this verse and tell me what do you think, are men and women disciples. 

Acts 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 

Galatians 3:28 Because all of you are one in the Messiah Jesus, a person is no longer a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a male or a female. 

Philippians 4:3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 

Acts 9:37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 

Dorcas was single or a widow: Most commentators think she was a widow or single because there is no mention of any man in her life. We know we do not need a man or woman to complete us, because we can serve God as a single person. 

Dorcas had fallen ill and died. She was prepared for burial and placed in the upper chamber, usually used as a guest chamber 

Apparently having heard of the healing of Aeneas by Peter, some disciples from Joppa sent to Lydda to fetch Peter, hoping that he could come and perform an even greater miracle on the behalf of their beloved Tabitha 

Acts 9:33-34 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.  (34)  "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. 

Acts 9:38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" 

There is no evidence that they expected that Peter would raise her up to life or from what I can tell, no Apostle had restored any as of yet, from dead to life. 

Acts 9:39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 

I believe the widows wanted comfort by the Apostle Peter with his present there.  Notice, all the widows stood around him. 

·      Dorcas did her deeds in secret:

·      Tabitha did not do anything heroic like Deborah or risky like Rahab.

·      She simply served her Savior by ministering to the people.

·      The needs of people moved her to action. She was not lazy.

·      She knitted those clothes for people. 

The Bible says that she was “full of good works.” Wouldn’t you agree that there are more people filled with words than there are people filled with works?  

These widows were the women who, with the dead Dorcas, had been busy in the good works to which they were all devoted to the people. 

What happened next is proof that our Lord Jesus is full of glorious, unrestrained power.  Following Jesus example. 

Acts 9:40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 

Peter just followed Lord Jesus example 

Matthew 9:25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 

Acts 9:41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 

Peter gave her his hand, and lifted her up as his Lord Jesus had done to his own mother-in-law 

Mark 1:31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 

The Bible says that she was “full of good works.” Wouldn’t you agree that there are more people filled with words than there are people filled with works?  

Acts 9:42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 

The resurrection of Dorcas was also a major reason so many people in Joppa believed.  This miracle performed in the name of Lord Jesus led many to faith in Lord Jesus. 

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 

Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 

Summary: It is true that deeds of believers follow them even after death. Thus when death occurs, let us be just this blunt about it, some believers leave a vacuum that just cannot be easily filled. After we become Christians, our deeds do matter here & beyond.  Count toward our rewards. 

Sometimes bad things do happen to Believers.  When what we see as bad things happen to believers, as with Tabitha, some in the faith begin to conclude and wonder why that happen to a believer.  

Be careful what you wish upon others. The Bible says “the same measure you measure shall be measured unto you.” 

Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone.  One person at a time.  Our time, financial limits cannot help many, but someone through a group to help.  Family, household of the Faith and then others. 

Tabitha was always doing good and helping the poor, but not interfering in their lives, example gossiping about those she help.  She cared for her family and the believers in the church. 

She is an example from Proverbs 31.  Tabitha was a seamstress

Proverbs 31:13 She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. 

Proverbs 31:19-20 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.  (20)  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 

Tabitha learn from the Apostle Peter that small things done with great love will change the world.  

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 

As we serve other believers, the Body of Christ, the church is strengthened. 

Peter came at once when asked by the Church.  The widows stood around Peter and showing him the robes and other clothing that Tabitha made everything they were wearing.  Total services to others in the Church. 

After we become Christians, our deeds do matter here & beyond. 

Interesting question, why did God allow Tabitha to be raised and not Stephen, who was killed and died as public martyred. 

Was she a huge financial contributor? Was she a miracle worker?

She was raised because God does not want compassion to die in the church!  

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

What did she do after being resurrected.  The Scriptures does not say.

Because of her character, she probably went right back to her quiet service to others. 

This miracle glorified our Lord Jesus and the Father, they believed 

Acts 9:42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 

I sure Tabitha was told by Peter what Jesus said about love. 

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  (35)  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

We are to show our love to other believers as Tabitha has done.

 1 Peter 1:22-23 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.  (23)  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 

How did Tabitha encourage each other in the church. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (25) not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Hebrews 3:12-13 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  (13)  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 

Dorcas is a fine example of how we are to meet the needs of those around us. Christians are to  

Galatians 2:10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. 

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

This was the type of religion Tabitha practiced. 

We also see in the story of Tabitha how the Body of Christ functions as a whole. We are united in Jesus, and the believers in Joppa mourned the loss of Dorcas as a close family member. 

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  (27)  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

Tabitha was one of their own, and her absence left a huge void in their lives. 

She was an Inspirational Woman to the Body of Christ, choosing to use her talents to serve others. 

What are some other women examples in the New Testament:

We will look at it in the next few weeks. 

7th Day - Feast of Unleavened Bread, 2022; April 22, 2022

 7th Day - Feast of Unleavened Bread, 2022                            April 22, 2022 

We are here today to celebrate this last, Feast Day, the seventh day of unleavened bread and is one of the annual Holy High Days. What do we do now, as we go forwards after this feast.  What does the Scriptures revealed about this day: 

How did it go this last week?  Did we make the effort to eat Unleavened Bread every day?  Are we already tired of the Unleavened Bread?  Are we ready for some real bread, like a juicy hamburger with bread, and leaven bread or hot rolls?  What did you miss most. 

What are we going to do now as we move past the Days of Unleavened Bread heading towards Pentecost, 50 Days away.  

Remember, we already covered leaven which represents sin on the First High Day and we are to put sin out of our lives or out of the Temple we are. 

Exodus 13:6-8 You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days, and on the seventh day there is to be a festival to the LORD.  (7)  Unleavened bread is to be eaten for seven days, and nothing leavened is to be seen among you, nor is leaven to be seen among you throughout your territory.  (8)  And you are to tell your child on that day, 'This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' 

What does the Scriptures really say about this day: 

Exodus 13:9-10 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead {Why} that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.  (10)  You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year. 

We are to come out of sin with high hand, realizing our sins have been forgiven. 

The seven Days of Unleavened Bread to picture that after our sins have been forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus  

1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch; as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 

We are to no longer to continue in the old ways but to walk in the true ways of the Bible. 

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

The Days of Unleavened Bread helps us to understand that sin is to put out of our lives and reminds us about this, sin: 

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  (9)  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.   {we seem to read vs 8, but not vs 9}

We know, the Bible explains how Israel came to a place they could not escape, God saved then and took them out of sin {Egypt is a type if sin}. 

Let’s us realize this occurs at the end of the week of Unleavened Bread on the Last High Day, not at the beginning. 

God had to deliver the Israelites from Egypt {a type of sin} by a miracle. 

Numbers 33:3 They departed from Rameses on the first month, the fifteenth day of the first month. The day after the Passover, the Israelis came out confidently, and all the Egyptians watched them leave, 

This is how Israel celebrate the first day of Unleavened Bread.

They were FREE! They had just been redeemed.

They came out of sin as we came out of sin, Passover. 

Exodus 12:31 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.  (32)  Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me."    {3 days – Exodus 3:18, 8:27} 

Exodus 12:34-35 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulders.  (35)  Meanwhile, the Israelis had done as Moses said; they had asked the Egyptians for objects of silver and objects of gold, and for clothes.  

Exodus 12:36 The LORD had given the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that they gave them what they requested; and so they plundered the Egyptians.  {past payment for services as a slave} 

Exodus 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.  (38)  Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.   

Exodus 12:39 With the dough the Israelites had brought from Egypt, they baked loaves of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. 

They wanted to get out, as quickly as possible. 

Exodus 12:41-42 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years; on that very same day; it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. (42) It is a night of solemn observance {night of the LORD to be observed to the LORD} for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. 

They were thrilled to leave 

We can walk out of Satan's world which is often easier for us than it is staying out, because of the trials that comes on us later. 

Exodus 13:15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD {animal} the first male offspring of every womb and redeem {payment} each of my firstborn sons.' 

Pillars of Cloud and Fire 

Exodus 13:17-18 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."  (18)  So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle {orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt}..

It is always the right way when God is leading them and us personally. 

Exodus 13:20-22 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.  (21)  By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  (22)  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. 

·      We are told to walk by faith and not by sight, but God had quite a bit of mercy on Israel.

·      They had a visual aid that was there all the time, by day and by night, a cloud or a pillar of fire.

·      All they had to do was look up, and their faith could be encourage. 

·       Cloud for shade for during hot daylight time, fire for light and warm in the cold night 

We also have a visual aid, the Holy Scriptures to instruct us and the Holy Spirit to lead us.  Jesus gives us a promise. 

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.

Exodus 14:1-2  Then the LORD said to Moses,  (2)  "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 

They have been going eastward, but God told them to go south and camp by the sea. 

Verse 3 gives the reason why: 

Exodus 14:3 Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' 

·      Let’s look at the map, notice a ridgeline goes down the western edge of the Red Sea and cliffs become close to the water’s edge. 

·      The cliffs blocks them in front as they were traveling north,

·      To their east was the Red Sea. They were closed in on three sides

·      The Sea on the right, and the cliffs before them and to the left.

·      And guess who was coming from the south (behind them). 

Exodus 14:8-9  The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.  (9)  The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. 

We find that Israel is a type for us, and had to be baptized in the Red Sea as we are to be baptize.  Warning from the Apostle Paul. 

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  (2)  They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  (3)  They all ate the same spiritual food  (4)  and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.  (12)  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!   

Terrified is a typical human reaction when you have 100,000 men (and their horses and chariots) coming down on you, wanting your blood. 

Standstill, and see the salvation of the LORD, 

Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 

Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  (14)  The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." 

·      The crossing of the Red Sea was on the last day of Unleavened Bread.

·      This crossing of the Red Sea signified that Israel was, at long last, finally free from Egyptian domination. Freedom was then a reality.

·      For us, Jesus free us of sin and other trials that threaten to hold us back.

·      We need to trust in the Lord Jesus and He is standing on the far bank, with the Holy Spirit showing us the way. 

What was God's reaction to Israel:  Moses was given a directive to trust in God. 

Exodus 14:15-16 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.  (16)  Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.  

Standing still is never a solution, making it through a trial, always give our thanks to our Father and Lord Jesus. 

Exodus 14:17-18 (17) I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.  (18)  The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen." 

God said to move on or forward. 

Exodus 14:19-20 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, (20)  coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 

The cloud’s movement did two things here 

·      It stopped the Egyptian army from attacking, giving God and Israel time to act: God to open the sea, and Israel to cross it.

·      The second thing that it did, was that it blocked the Israelites from returning to Egypt. They could not surrender. They were forced to move forward.

·      Are we not forced to move forward in this Way of Life and not turn back. 

2 Peter 2:20-22 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.  (21)  It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.  (22)  Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud."

Exodus 14:21-23 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,  (22)  and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.  (23)  The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.   

Exodus 14:24-25 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.  (25)  He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt." 

A remarkable miracle has occurred.  

Exodus 14:26-27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."  (27)  Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 

The Egyptians seems as if they got confused, fleeing the wrong direction. 

Exodus 14:28-29 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.  (29)  But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.   

Exodus 14:30-31 (30)  That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.  (31)  And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. 

They were caught in a box canyon and God delivered then a way out.

If we get caught in a box canyon or trials in our lives, God promise that He will deliver us from trials in our lives. 

The Song of Moses 

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 

·      Always remember, trust in God, for He is the source of freedom. 

·      Trust in ourselves, for only we have the power to move ourselves forward with the Holy Spirit directing our way. 

·      Never stop moving forward.

·      Seek freedom from sin and pursue freedom because it is precious.  Remember, this as we eat Unleavened Bread this feast. 

Israel passed through Red Sea and was baptized into Moses on the seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread described as “the salvation of the LORD”. 

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  (2)  They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  

1 Corinthians 10:3-4 They all ate the same spiritual food  (4)  and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 

God will always provide a way for us to escape. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.ays of Unleavened Bread.  We are to go on in this Way of Life, following Jesus, our Lord and Creator. 

We are to study His words to grow in grace and knowledge and to learn the Way of Life that Jesus instructed us to learn.  

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 

Finally, we are commanded to: 

Mark 16:15 Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone. 

Just not by our words, but by our actions.  Let’s our light shine to the world and we go forward to the next feast day and High Day, Day of Pentecost.

1st Day of Unleavened Bread – 2022: April 16, 2022

 1^st Day of Unleavened Bread – 2022                   April 16, 2022 

Welcome to the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

·      We are in the season of the Spring Holy Days which starts the beginning of God’s plan for salvation for all mankind and for each of us, personally.

·      We just finish up the service for the Passover and, last night, the Night to be Much Observed. 

·      Today is going to be a review, of what this day means – to keep in our mind thoughts. 

2 Timothy 4:2 the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 

2 Timothy 4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

Is this why many individuals turn away for celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread 

·      What do we do at this time, every year, we remove the leavening from our homes, cleaning our homes and vehicles. 

·      We understand the meaning behind our actions, of removing physical and spiritual leaven from our lives.

·      How many have stopped doing this in their lives. 

Let us turn to the chapter in the Scriptures that covers the Feasts of the Lord. 

 Leviticus 23:1 The LORD said to Moses,

 The Lord is the one we called, Jesus our Messiah, our Elder Brother.

 Leviticus 23:2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 

Notice, Jesus said these are my, my appointed festivals and sacred assemblies.  Command assemblies.   How do we show our love to Jesus our Lord is by obeying His commands.  This is one of His command. 

Leviticus 23:6 "On the fifteenth day of that month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread. 

Notice the command by Jesus that we are to eat Unleavened Bread 

Interesting, in my past, the emphasis was on not eating leavened bread, but

Avoiding leavened bread and leavened product. 

This command was eating unleavened bread during this spring feast. 

Leviticus 23:7-8 On the first day that you hold the sacred assembly you are to do no servile work.  (8)  Instead, you are to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD daily for seven days. On the seventh day you are also to hold a sacred assembly during which you are to do no servile work." 

Notice, we are to hold an assembly, which is what we are doing right now. 

Our bodies are a living sacrifice offering, tested by fire – daily trials 

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Tested by fire 

1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  (7)  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith; of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire; may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Exodus 12:15 You are to eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day be sure to remove all the leaven from your houses, because any person who eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh will be cut off from Israel. 

·      This verse adds a little more information.  

·      We are to remove all the leaven from our homes. 

·      Things we will eat.  Only 7 days

·      Cookies, bread, ice cream cones, baking soda, baking powder, yeast, etc.   Hard to be tempted if these items are removed from the home. 

Use some common sense.  Are going to eat, like tooth paste? 

Exodus 12:16 Also, on the first day you're to hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day you're to hold a holy assembly. No work is to be done during those days, except for preparing what is to be eaten by each person. 

Exodus 12:17 "'You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread, since on this very day I brought your tribal divisions from the land of Egypt. You are to observe this day from generation to generation as a perpetual ordinance. 

Exodus 12:18 In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month, you are to eat unleavened bread. 

How many times does Jesus have to command this, eat unleavened bread 

Exodus 12:19-20 For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And anyone, whether foreigner or native-born, who eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel.  (20)  Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread." 

Did Jesus and His parents observed the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread? 

Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 

Luke 2:42-43 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. (43) When they had finished the days {or festival was over}, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 

Notice Verse 43 states, “the finished the days” which meant the Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread was over. 

Did Jesus observe the Days of Unleavened Bread as an adult? 

Mark 14:1-2 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. (2) But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people." 

Remember, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is only 7 days long, the Jewish Leadership counts Passover as a day and that makes it 8 days.  Verse 1 and 2 pertain to the planning of Christ’s enemies to arrest Him.

By trickery – wicked people 

Mark 14:12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover meal?" 

They were well aware that He would be observing the Days of Unleavened Bread. Verse 12 show how Christ directed His disciples in arranging for the Passover meal. 

Did the Apostles observe the Days of Unleavened Bread after Christ’s death and resurrection?  Doctor Luke wrote: 

Acts 12:2 Then he {Herod} killed James the brother of John with the sword. 

Acts 12:3 When he saw how this was agreeable to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter, too. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.     {about 50’s A.D.} 

Luke wrote about Apostle Paul and himself 

Acts 20:6 After the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and days later we joined them in Troas and stayed there for seven days.   {about 55 A.D.} 

Luke uses this reference as an event that was observed by the Church this many years after Jesus resurrection.  Over 20 years later. 

What instruction or command did Paul give Gentiles Christians in regard to observed this festival? 

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  (7)  Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 

The Apostle Paul wrote about 25 years later to the Church members (Gentiles) in Corinth and told the Christians to observe this festival. 

Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  {Around 55 or 56 AD} 

Paul commanded the Corinthian Christians—mostly gentiles—to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. His instructions show that Christians from non-Jewish communities and cultures kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. 

Leaving is used as a symbol for sin. 

Matthew 16:6 Jesus told them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" 

Matthew 16:11-12 How can you fail to understand that I wasn't talking to you about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"  (12)  Then they understood that he did not say to beware of the yeast used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

There was, and is, nothing wrong with eating things containing yeast at other times, but for the purpose of the Days of Unleavened Bread it was used as a symbol of sin.  Coming out of sin. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union with the Messiah Jesus our Lord. 

Upon repentance and baptism, Christ's sacrifice blots out all of one's past sins. When Paul asked if we should continue in sin, what did he answer? 

Romans 6:15-16 What, then, does this mean? Should we go on sinning because we are not under Law but under grace? Of course not!  (16)  Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 

Paul was expressing that as Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, we should proceed to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Remember, Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. 

Setting an example for all Christians today, these Jews and non-Jews observed these days in accordance with God's laws. 

Paul tells us that Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead.  The First born. 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 

Jesus says the sign is: 

Matthew 12:38-40 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."  (39)  He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  (40)  For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. {Grave} 

God said Jesus was dead, brought to life as the Firstborn, the first of many in the future. 

Paul tells us Jesus was the firstborn, we His Saints will follow, 

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Hebrews 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 

John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  (6)  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 

Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of the Messiah 

Colossians 1:12 and might thank the Father, who has enabled us to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. 

Revelation 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to their faithfulness in Jesus: 

·      We went through all these verses and kind of understanding, why are we to eat Unleavened Bread during the feast. 

·      We are to separate from the world but still in the world. 

·      Following Jesus Way of Life is an endurance walk of the Saints. 

Passover night, Jesus said unleavened bread represents His Body and because it was the symbol of rejecting sin in Satan spiritual world.  It is a symbol of choosing Life because of Jesus Way of Life, we are Saints.  Satan way of life {sin} which leads to death. 

So, we need to continue this week to look or examine ourselves during these Days of Unleavened Bread in our walk with Jesus, in His Way of life 

Repeat:  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We are the church of the firstborn. 

As we eat unleavened Bread during the Feast, take these things and think about our lives, our families, friends and mediate about what it really means to us personally. 

Ask God to give us the wisdom with His Holy Spirit to grow, to change, to overcome, so we can become more Christ-like in the way we live. 

Enjoy ourselves during the Feast of Unleavened Bread because of the Truths that the Holy Spirit lead us. Have a good Feast of Unleavened Bread