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Baptism and the Last Day of Unleavened Bread
CGG Weekly by Ronny H. GrahamOn the last day of Unleavened Bread, God symbolically baptized the children of Israel as they went down into the Red Sea during the night and stepped out of their watery grave the next morning. As they looked behind them in the dawn, hundreds of Egyptian soldiers and horses lay dead along the shore, and many others floated in the waves. They could literally see that God had destroyed those who had oppressed them for hundreds of years. The Egyptians would never again be able to afflict them in any way, as God had washed away and destroyed what had enslaved them. They were clean and free! Seeing this, the Israelites feared God and broke into a song of praise to the Lord.
Baptism and Unleavened Bread
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamThe pattern of burial and rescue from a watery grave appears often in scripture, indicating that baptism plays an enormous role in God's overall purpose.
Our Bread of Life
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Unleavened Bread, as outlined in Exodus 12, is a week-long festival with the first day and the last day, the seventh day, designated as holy days for worship and teaching. These days commemorate the Israelites' release from Egyptian bondage. The first day specifically memorializes the initial steps out of Egypt on Nisan or Abib 15, when God, through Moses, led them out of Goshen at sunset, marking the beginning of their journey. The last day, the seventh day, also celebrates their coming out of Egypt, signifying the completion of their exodus. Though not explicitly stated in Scripture, it appears to represent the day they fully left Egypt, likely crossing the Red Sea after a six-day journey from Goshen. This crossing, occurring on the seventh day, symbolizes their final escape from Egyptian territory and the pursuing army, highlighting God's salvation as He opened a way through the sea, led them across, and destroyed their enemies. This event underscores the theme of salvation, illustrating how God intervenes to save His people from powerful adversaries, rendering their threats impotent. In a spiritual sense, this mirrors what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection, opening a way to life and to the Father, far surpassing the physical deliverance at the Red Sea.
The Unleavened Vanguard with Christ
Sermon by Mark SchindlerOn the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, after seven days of eating unleavened bread, the significance of this practice remains clear. Jesus Christ, through His selfless act of outgoing concern, is bringing all of mankind into the Family of God, with the Father placing each individual in the vanguard alongside His Son, in positions determined by His perfect perspective. During these seven days, the focus has been on the perfect, sinless life lived by God in the flesh, emphasizing the need to continually take in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth and to act upon it in daily life. This annual weeklong observance serves as a reminder of the privileged responsibility to strive to live apart from the leavened lives surrounding us, aiming to be a true witness for the only One who could perfectly demonstrate how to do so. This can only be achieved by the grace of God, as each person must be individually dedicated to living an unleavened life, faithfully serving the Body of Christ in the specific roles the Father has assigned, growing to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The importance of ingesting the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth through Jesus Christ is paramount to maintaining unity with Him and one another, ensuring that the lamp of faith continues to burn brightly within a unified Body that learns and lives the Word of God. Repentance and the ability to persist in the unleavened life of Jesus Christ are solely by the grace of God, underscoring that none of this transformation is due to personal effort, but entirely through Him.
Baptized in the Sea
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOn the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, a significant event occurred that is tied to the concept of baptism. This day, which we observe and celebrate, marks the occasion when nearly two million Israelites experienced a type of baptism as they passed through the Red Sea, under the cloud and in the sea, as described in I Corinthians 10:1-2. This event, occurring on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread approximately 3500 years ago, symbolizes a profound commitment as all of Israel was baptized into Moses, committing to his leadership and to God's guidance. This historical moment serves as a powerful reminder of the connection between the Last Day of Unleavened Bread and baptism, prompting a renewal of the commitment made at our own baptism into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Israelites' passage through the Red Sea, with water on either side and possibly covered by the cloud above, mirrors the immersion of baptism, signifying a transition from an old life to a new one under divine protection and guidance.
He Lives, We Live
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Unleavened Bread is a week-long festival, with the first and last days designated as holy convocations for worship. This festival commemorates God releasing the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, emphasizing His active role in their liberation. The first day, Nisan or Abib 15, memorializes the initial departure from Goshen as God, through Moses, led them out of Egypt. The last day, the seventh day, while not explicitly defined in Scripture, appears to celebrate the completion of their exodus through God's power. It marks the point when they fully left Egypt, likely coinciding with the Red Sea crossing, a natural border and the final barrier to their complete freedom. On this day, Pharaoh's army was decisively defeated in a last attempt to re-enslave the Israelites, glorifying God in the process. The Red Sea crossing on the seventh day serves as a powerful example of God's direct intervention, making a way of escape when none seemed possible, and destroying the enemy's power. This event parallels the spiritual deliverance provided through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as God opened a path for the Israelites, He opens pathways to life for us, guiding us toward Him and glorifying Himself while thwarting the adversary's attempts to hinder our salvation. The last day of Unleavened Bread thus underscores the hope and assurance of complete deliverance, reflecting how Christ's resurrection ensures our journey toward eternal life in His Kingdom. As we conclude this feast, we are reminded to continue feeding on the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, submitting to God's will to be saved and raised on the last day to live forever with Him.
Go Forward
Sermon by Mark SchindlerOn this Last Day of Unleavened Bread, observed on the 21st of Abib, we are reminded of the vital responsibility to move forward with the tools God has provided, undistracted by the challenges ahead. This day serves as a powerful lesson, echoing the circumstances faced by Moses thousands of years ago on this very day, urging us to proceed with faith toward the reality that lies before us. God calls us to carry out our duties, using the abilities He has granted, as we navigate our life's journey. As we conclude this week of eating Unleavened Bread, we are encouraged to stay focused beyond this time, ready to continue forward as part of the great cloud of witnesses, learning to love as He loves us. This day reinforces our mission and privilege to be a bright light in a dark world, diligently following Jesus Christ's command to love one another as He and the Father love us.
Pioneers: Our Job Is the Journey
Sermon by Mark SchindlerOn this Last Day of Unleavened Bread, we commemorate a significant piece of God's incredible purpose to create man in His image and likeness, marking the final deliverance of Israel from their slave masters in Egypt. More importantly, this day prompts us to consider our own final deliverance from the slavery of this world, found only in Jesus Christ. Just as Israel was delivered through the miraculous intervention of God, freeing them physically from bondage in Egypt, we too have passed through the waters of baptism, burying the old man to be raised anew with Jesus Christ. Yet, we continue to battle our carnal nature on our wilderness journey, knowing that through Jesus Christ, our citizenship is already beyond the wilderness and in heaven with the Father and the Son. The fidelity of the Father and the Word, regardless of the cost, remains a hallmark characteristic in accomplishing Their purpose for our journey into Their Family. Just as the Word guided Israel through the Red Sea and out of bondage, He now guides the elect, and eventually all of mankind, out of satan's bondage to sin, toward the places He has prepared for us. He not only serves as our guide but provides everything needed to successfully complete this journey. However, as it was costly to Him, so too must it be costly to us if we are to succeed, staying behind Him and receiving grace upon grace. If we keep our eyes focused on Him, using the gifts He has graciously given, we will reach the journey's end that the Father and the Word determined from the beginning. On this day, as we recall our journey from the slavery of sin to the Kingdom of God, pictured in Israel's miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, we recognize that God finalized His deliverance of Israel from Egypt, though a long journey lay ahead. Had they obeyed Him, they could have been free, reflecting God's faithfulness to accomplish what He has set out to do. God provided everything Israel needed for His glory, establishing a pattern of order for them to maintain throughout their journey, just as He has given us innate talents and abilities, along with His Holy Spirit and its gifts, to focus on the journey's end while working together as one united body. Despite God's awesome physical presence with Israel, they failed to stay focused on His faithful promise due to faithlessness, often taking His presence for granted. This day serves as both a warning and a great hope, reminding us that our job is the journey, learning to live as God lives, with God always providing for His people as we move forward together toward His Kingdom.
Psalms: Book One (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we observe the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, we commemorate the culmination of Israel's journey out of Egypt, a pivotal moment orchestrated by God Himself. On this holy day, Israel prepared to leave Egypt for good, having been in the wilderness area of Egyptian territory throughout the week. God moved the pillar of fire to the rear, protecting Israel from the advancing Egyptians, casting darkness and terror on the Egyptian side while providing light to the Israelites as they readied to depart. This mirrors their initial hasty exodus on the first holy day, yet now they stood at the brink of complete freedom. God caused a wind to blow all night, driving back the Red Sea and drying the land to create a causeway for Israel to cross on dry ground. They moved their wagons and cattle safely, with no risk of getting stuck, as God had thought of every detail. While it was still dark, they began to cross, led by God's hand in the darkness, just as they had left in haste at the start of this week. Through this act, God demonstrated His power over Egypt and Pharaoh, ensuring Israel's complete liberation as the waters returned and destroyed the pursuing Egyptian army, leaving not one of them remaining. This event on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread stands as a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to save His people, reinforcing the significance of this day in our observance.
Escape From Box Canyon
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOn the last day of Unleavened Bread, the Israelites faced a dire situation as they found themselves trapped at the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army in pursuit. This moment, occurring at the end of the period symbolizing their journey out of bondage, marked a critical test of their resolve. As they stood between the sea and the approaching enemy, fear gripped them, yet it was here that God demonstrated His power through a miraculous deliverance. He parted the sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground, while the waters later closed over the pursuing Egyptians, destroying them. This event on the last day of Unleavened Bread underscores that even at the end of a long struggle, when challenges seem insurmountable, God intervenes with His mighty works to save His people. It highlights a contrast to the boldness and joy of the first day of Unleavened Bread, showing that perseverance through trials, even to the very end, is met with His salvation.
The Great Work the Lord Has Done!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod intended the keeping of the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, along with the eating of unleavened bread for the entire seven days, to serve as a reminder of what He has done for us. Unleavened bread is to remind us of how He brought us out of bondage. On the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, during the night, the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind, making the sea into dry land and dividing the waters. The children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, with the waters forming a wall on their right hand and on their left. God opened a pathway through the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross, demonstrating His power and deliverance. On the east coast of the Red Sea, there was great rejoicing in the camp of Israel on the seventh and Last Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
The Faith of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeNot only did Israel cross the Red Sea on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, but it was also when Jericho's walls fell and when Jesus healed the lame man.
How Much Would You Give Up for the Kingdom of God?
Sermon by Kim MyersWe should be willing to give up anything for the Kingdom, controlling our speech, thoughts, behaviors, and lives. We cannot grow in grace without works.