Good morning,

God rules over His creation. Is that theology or practicality in our lives? Another election cycle will be over this week. The results will not be known for days, weeks, or months.

God is not a politician.

This week we see, from the Scriptures, that God reigns over His creation. It is His. He made it. Whether we agree with the outcome of the election, God is still in control. Never forget that.

1)  GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

G.  GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

H.  CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? ⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; ¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

I.   GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11) 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 J.  GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

K.  GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Over the years I have heard stories of men and women who have tried to flee from the presence of God. Since God is everywhere, that is not possible. They might ignore Him or turn their back on Him, but they are never out of His presence.

God gave us His plan in the Bible.  One book that explains God’s complete plan from creation to our eternal home in heaven. In between, he fills in all the details. The Bible tells us why our world is so chaotic. It gives the back round of the Middle East conflict. The Bible is never wrong.

God has power over death. His will not be thwarted by men.

Do we allow God to be in control of our lives? Do we acknowledge God as our sovereign? Do we want Him to be?

Those are important questions. They will determine how we deal with events in our lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God rules over His creation. Is that theology or practicality in our lives? Another election cycle will be over this week. The results will not be known for days, weeks, or months.

God is not a politician.

This week we see, from the Scriptures, that God reigns over His creation. It is His. He made it. Whether we agree with the outcome of the election, God is still in control. Never forget that.

1)  GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

A. GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.¹² Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

B. THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.¹¹ I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.

C. GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

D. GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6)

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.⁵ For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.⁶ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

E. GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

F. GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

From the inception of sin into our world, man has been in rebellion with God. Man has always thought he was wiser, smarter, and had a superior plan to God’s.

Man has always been wrong!

This is God’s world. He will run it in accordance to His plan. He has given us a glimpse of His plan in the Bible, but there is so much more that we are not privy too.

When we look at the election results will we say, Thy will be done God or Your will is not my will, and reject God’s plan?

We have a choice, choose wisely!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

I. Passover (Exodus 1-12) Key Verse: Exodus 12:12-13 Key Phrase: Let my people go

1. The blood was a visible sign of obedience (Exodus 12:13)

2. The blood covered Israel’s sin but did not take them away

3. We are justified through Jesus blood (Romans 5:9) Through Jesus blood our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. (PSM 103:12)

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.¹³ 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 12:12-13)

The blood permeates this whole Foundation Stone series. Genesis 3, an animal was sacrificed so that Adam and Eve could be clothed. Genesis 4, Cain failed to bring a blood sacrifice to God and then killed Abel. The ark carried animals in by twos, male and female, for reproduction, but of the clean animals seven, to sacrifice to the Lord.

Pharaoh failed to realize that the God of Israel was the true God. He took that belief with him to his dying day.

We cannot rebel against God and expect to prosper. Rebellion is sin and God is opposed to sin. It breaks a believer’s fellowship with God.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” (Psalm 66:18)

We need to repent and then obey God’s word.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Jesus blood paid the sin debt that we owed, but could not pay. He was the spotless lamb of God, sacrificed for my sin.

No blood, no salvation.

Have you trusted Christ for the payment of your sin debt?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

H. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) Key verse: Gen 50:20 Key phrase: And the Lord was with Joseph

1. God allowed Joseph to dream and interpret dreams (Gen 37:5-11, 40:2-22, 41:1-40)

2. Joseph had impeccable character (Genesis 39:7-9, 12, 45:1-8, 50:19-20)

3. Obedience saved 2 nations

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

Character matters in all that we do.

Joseph’s life exemplified character. In every situation he experienced, he followed God and did righteously. Never wavered from doing right.  

He was obedient to his father. When confronted by Potiphar’s wife, he ran, in prison he was patient, and when he sat in Pharaoh’s court, he was humble. He waited on God and God protected Joseph.

Now at the end of Jacob’s life, his brothers are concerned that Joseph would take his revenge. Not only does he not take revenge, he blesses them and tells them he would make sure they were fed and he would take care of them.

God used him to save two nations from ruin. God allowed him to prosper for eighty years.

When we are wronged, how do we react? Do we practice Bible principles such as love, patience, long suffering, turning the other cheek? Or are we prone to lash out, seek vengeance, pray for there hurt?

Joseph is a good example of what to do. Jesus is even a better example. After being beaten, humiliated, and scorned, he went willingly to the cross to shed his precious, holy, sinless, blood to pay the sin debt for all mankind. That is true love.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Choose to follow the examples of Joseph and Jesus when we are wronged.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

CONCLUSION

GENESIS 1:1

INTRO: What we learned. Take aways from the OT Foundation Stone Series

A. Introduction  

1. God’s word is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. 39 books:  17 historical, 5 poetry and 17 prophetical

B. Creation (Genesis 1:1-31) Key verse Gen 1:1

1. In the beginning God…  (Genesis 1:1)
2. God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience
3. Jesus made all things (John 1:1-3 and 14)
4. God created, said, saw, called, made, set, divided, and blessed

C. Sin (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17, 3:1-24) Key verse: Gen 3:6

1. Satan is a fallen angel who chose to challenge God’s authority (IS 14:12-15, EZEK 28:12-19)

2. God’s command (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17)

3. Man’s response (Genesis 3:6)
4. God’s response to man’s sin (Genesis 3:23-24a) 

D. Flood (Genesis 6-9) Key verse: Gen 6:8, 9, 22

1. Man’s sin-God’s judgment (Genesis 6:5-7, 6:17)
2. God’s provision for Noah (Genesis 7:1)
3. God’s preservation of Noah (Genesis 8:15-19)

4. God’s promise to Noah (Genesis 9:9-16)

E. Abraham (Genesis 12-22) Key Verse: Gen 12:1-4

 1. God covenants with Abraham established that God’s people would be Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:1-8)

2. Abraham’s lack of faith instituted the strife between Arabs and God’s people Israel (Genesis 16:1-5, 7-12, 17:20-21, 21:9-12)

3. Abraham’s faith in sacrificing Isaac and how God provided a substitute is a picture of Christ’s substitutionary death for us.  (Genesis 22:1-12)

F. Jacob’s dysfunctional family (Genesis 12-31) Key verse: Gen 28:20-21

1. Jacobs grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him (Genesis 20:1-8 Read v2, 26:6-11 read v7, 27:1-46 read v24 )

2. Jacob’s dysfunctional life (Genesis 25:28, 25:29-34 read v31, 27:18-29 read v24)

3. Jacob reaps what he sowed (Genesis 29:15-27 read v25)

G. Jacob/Israel honors God (Genesis 32-35) Key verse: Gen 32:10

1. Obedience results in blessing (Genesis 31:11-13, 31:17-18, 32:10, 32:27-30, 35:9-15)

H. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) Key verse: Gen 50:20 Key phrase: And the Lord was with Joseph

1. God allowed Joseph to dream and interpret dreams (Gen 37:5-11, 40:2-22, 41:1-40)

2. Joseph had impeccable character (Genesis 39:7-9, 12, 45:1-8, 50:19-20)

3. Obedience saved 2 nations

I. Passover (Exodus 1-12) Key Verse: Exodus 12:12-13 Key Phrase: Let my people go

1. The blood was a visible sign of obedience (Exodus 12:13)

2. The blood covered Israel’s sin but did not take them away

3. We are justified through Jesus blood (Romans 5:9) Through Jesus blood our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. (PSM 103:12)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

E. Abraham (Genesis 12-22) Key Verse: Gen 12:1-4

 1. God covenants with Abraham established that God’s people would be Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:1-8)

2. Abraham’s lack of faith instituted the strife between Arabs and God’s people Israel (Genesis 16:1-5, 7-12, 17:20-21, 21:9-12)

3. Abraham’s faith in sacrificing Isaac and how God provided a substitute is a picture of Christ’s substitutionary death for us.  (Genesis 22:1-12)

F. Jacob’s dysfunctional family (Genesis 12-31) Key verse: Gen 28:20-21

1. Jacobs grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him (Genesis 20:1-8 Read v2, 26:6-11 read v7, 27:1-46 read v24)

2. Jacob’s dysfunctional life (Genesis 25:28, 25:29-34 read v31, 27:18-29 read v24)

3. Jacob reaps what he sowed (Genesis 29:15-27 read v25)

G. Jacob/Israel honors God (Genesis 32-35) Key verse: Gen 32:10

1. Obedience results in blessing (Genesis 31:11-13, 31:17-18, 32:10, 32:27-30, 35:9-15)

Did it ever occur to you that the conflict we see in Israel today began with Abraham’s lack of faith? Read Genesis 16. God promised that Abram and Sarai would have a natural born child from their own bodies.

When God gives a promise, He always fulfills His promise. When we try to help God, we fail to trust God. Rest in Him. Isaac, not Ishmael, was the promised child.

Jacob goes from deceiver, to being deceived, to a lover of God. He deceived his brother Esau twice. He tries to bargain with God. Then he is deceived by Laban. When Jacob returns home, He meets with God, and submits to Him.

Where are we? Do we trust God and allow Him to lead our lives or do we deceive God and others?

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob teach us that we must trust the Lord totally, without any reservations. When we do, God will reveal His plan for our lives to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

A. Introduction  

1. God’s word is inspired by God

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. 39 books:  17 historical, 5 poetry and 17 prophetical

B. Creation (Genesis 1:1-31) Key verse Gen 1:1

1. In the beginning God…  (Genesis 1:1)
2. God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience
3. Jesus made all things (John 1:1-3 and 14)

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

4. God created, said, saw, called, made, set, divided, and blessed

C. Sin (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17, 3:1-24) Key verse: Gen 3:6

1. Satan is a fallen angel who chose to challenge God’s authority (IS 14:12-15, EZEK 28:12-19) 2. God’s command (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17) 3. Man’s response (Genesis 3:6)

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

4. God’s response to man’s sin (Genesis 3:23-24a) 

D. Flood (Genesis 6-9) Key verse: Gen 6:8, 9, 22

1. Man’s sin-God’s judgment (Genesis 6:5-7, 6:17)

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.⁶ And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.⁷ And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Genesis 6:5-7)

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.⁹ These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:8-9)

2. God’s provision for Noah (Genesis 7:1)
3. God’s preservation of Noah (Genesis 8:15-19) 4. God’s promise to Noah (Genesis 9:9-16)

God wanted us to know about His plan for the world. He gave us the inspired word of God, the Bible, to teach us.

God’s creation is given to us in detail. He tells us how everything came into being. God is supreme. He is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful. Knowing this, we can trust Him in time of need.

God’s creation was perfect. No flaws. No sin.

He placed his two created beings, Adam and Eve in a perfect garden. The ground would always produce food. They would always be nourished and be taken care of by God.

God also created the angels. Lucifer being one of them. Lucifer desires to sit on the throne of God. He rebels against God and takes one third of the angel with him.

God gave men and women a free will to obey or disobey God. Adam and Eve choose to follow Lucifer (Satan) and rebel against God. The first sin.

That sin lead to Cain murdering Abel. Then the wickedness on the earth became so great, God destroyed all the inhabitants, except for eight, with a flood.

God created, man destroyed, God provides His mercy, grace, and salvation, to eight souls. We are the product of those eight souls.

God is still providing His mercy, grace, and love to all who will come to Him by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

If you would like to know more about salvation in Jesus Christ get in contact with me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Meditate on HEAVEN

Play Audio  Download Audio

(William Dyer, “Christ’s Famous Titles”)

Meditate often on these four last things:
   Death, which is most certain.
   Judgment, which is most strict.
Hell, which is most doleful.
   Heaven, which is most delightful.

Meditate on HEAVEN, which is most joyful.

“Then the King will say to those on His right: Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:21

Heaven is a place where all joy is enjoyed.
In Heaven, there will be:
  mirth without sadness,
  light without darkness,
  sweetness without bitterness,
  life without death,
  rest without labor,
  plenty without poverty.
Oh, what joy enters into the believer–when the believer enters into the joy of his Lord.

Who would not . . .
work for glory with the greatest diligence, and
wait for glory with the greatest patience?

Oh, what glories are there in glory!
   Thrones of glory,
   crowns of glory,
   vessels of glory,
   a weight of glory,
   a kingdom of glory.

Here on earth–Christ puts His grace upon His spouse.
There in Heaven–He puts His glory upon His spouse.

In Heaven the crown is made for them, and
in Heaven the crown shall be worn by them.

In this life believers have some good things–but the rest and best are reserved for the life to come.

Oh sirs, meditate upon Heaven, for meditation on Heaven will make us heavenly.

Heaven is not only a possession promised by Christ
–but a possession purchased by Christ.

When our contemplations and minds are in Heaven–then we enjoy Heaven upon earth.
  To be IN Christ is Heaven below;
  to be WITH Him is Heaven above.

There cannot be a better thing for us, than for us to be with the best of beings.
“To me to live is Christ–and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Let our condition now be ever so great–it is Hell without Christ.
let our condition now be ever so bad–it is Heaven with Christ.

“I had rather be in Hell with Christ–than in Heaven without Him.” said Luther
Hell itself would be Heaven–if Christ was in it.
Heaven would be Hell–if Christ was out of it.

That which makes Heaven so full of joy, is that it is above all fear.
That which makes Hell so full of horror, is that it is beyond all hope.

The vessels of grace–shall swim in the ocean of glory.

We may talk of the greatness of our crowns–but we shall never know the weight of our crowns until they are set on our heads.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Meditate upon HELL

Play Audio  Download Audio

(William Dyer, “Christ’s Famous Titles”)

Meditate often on these four last things:
   Death, which is most certain.
   Judgment, which is most strict.
Hell, which is most doleful.
   Heaven, which is most delightful.

Meditate upon HELL, which is most doleful.

Heaven is a place where all is joyful;
and Hell is a place where all is doleful.

In Heaven–there is nothing but happiness;
but in Hell–there is nothing but heaviness.

“The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17
Mark, sirs–the wicked shall be turned into Hell.

Oh, dreadful place–where the devil is the jailer.
Hell is the prison,
damnation is the punishment,
eternity is the duration,
brimstone is the fire, and
men and devils are the fuel.

To endure this will be intolerable;
and to avoid it will be impossible.

This is the day of God’s long-suffering;
that will be the day of man’s long-suffering.
There they will suffer:
  pain without ease,
  torment without end,
  sorrow without support,
  and misery without mercy.

Sirs, meditate upon Hell.

Oh, what hells are there in Hell! Hell is:
  the loss of God,
  the loss of Christ,
  the loss of all good.

Endless, ceaseless, and remediless torments must be their eternal portion!

Oh, that you would often think of Hell.

If once you drop into Hell–then after a thousand years:
  you will be as far from coming out of Hell,
  as you were at your first entrance into Hell.

There is only one way to KEEP a man out of Hell
–but there is no way to GET a man out of Hell.

In this world, the wheat and the chaff both grow together, but they shall not always both lie together.

In Hell, there shall not be a saint among those who are terrified.
In Heaven, there shall not be a sinner among those who are glorified.

The sea of damnation–shall never be sweetened with a drop of compassion!

Will you pity a person who is going to the gallows–and
will you not pity a person who is going to the bottomless pit?

What a dreadful visitation is that, where . . .
  the black horse of death goes before, and
  the red horse of wrath follows after!

Oh, that must needs be sad, when one death comes upon the back of another; when the second death comes upon the back of the first death.

A man’s condition in this life may be honorable,
and yet his state in eternity may be damnable. Poor Lazarus goes to Heaven–
when rich Dives goes to Hell.

It is far better to go to Heaven poorly
–than it is to go to Hell richly.

Oh sirs, let us go to Hell by contemplation, that
we may never go to Hell by condemnation.

Oh sirs, meditate upon Hell!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The shedding of blood has been essential to the atonement for man’s sin. The shedding of blood is directly tied to our salvation. Jesus shed His perfect, precious blood to pay our sin debt.

The Passover, instituted by God, is a picture of salvation for Israel. When they applied the blood, God passed over their house. Right after that they were freed from their Egyptian enslavement.

This week we look at the progressive mistreatment of the Hebrew slaves, preparation for deliverance of the Hebrew slaves, the Israelite’s delivered from Egyptian bondage, and Israel redeemed by the blood of the Lamb-Passover.

Israel redeemed by the blood of a lamb — Passover. (12:1-13:16) Christ is our sacrifice Hebrews 10:4-10 (READ)

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.⁵ Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:⁶ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.⁷ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.⁸ Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;⁹ Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

1. Beginning of the year is changed (12:1-2) (READ)

“And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,² This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.”

2. Passover instituted (12:3-20) (READ)

“Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:⁴ And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.⁵ Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:⁶ And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.⁷ And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.⁸ And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.⁹ Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.¹⁰ And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.¹¹ And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover.¹² For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.¹³ 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.¹⁴ And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.¹⁵ Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.¹⁶ And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.¹⁷ And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.¹⁸ In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.¹⁹ Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.²⁰ Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.”

3. Procedure for Passover ceremony (12:21-30) (READ)

“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.²² And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.²³ For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.²⁴ And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.²⁵ And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.²⁶ And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?²⁷ That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.²⁸ And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.²⁹ And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.³⁰ And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.”

4. Unleavened bread (12:31-39) Also called the feast of matzah-7 days
5. Death of the firstborn (12:40-42) 
6. Passover to be observed annually (12:43-50) 

 CONCLUSION:

• And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!  (John 1:36)
• Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18-19)
• Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:             (1 Corinthians 5:7)
• FOUNDATION STONE: The blood.  It covered but did not take away the sin of Israel.  Jesus blood takes away the sin of those who repent and come to Him.

The blood covered the houses of the children of Israel. When God saw the blood, He passed over that house, and the first born did not die. The children of Israel were obedient to the instructions God gave them through Moses.

A lamb was slain. The blood was applied to the lintel and doorposts.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth to be the sacrificial lamb for the sin of all mankind. He allowed Himself to go to the cross, to take the sins of all mankind on Himself, to pay our sin debt.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Salvation is for all men and women, boys and girls. Please call or write to me about how you might get saved.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com