Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Sometimes, as I’m preaching, I know I’m saying things that sound crazy.

Preaching a moral or ethical stand that is so out of tune to the world.

During the pandemic as I’d see who was joining in for Bible Study or Worship Services and I’m wondering what they are thinking.

And that caused me to go through a process of making sure that I’m presenting clearly what Scripture says in such a way that even those who reject the claims of the Christian faith can comprehend even if they don’t agree with what I’m saying.

Things in Christianity that don’t make sense to the world:

Yes, the moral statements in there that are becoming more and more foreign to the rest of the world.

Creation - God spoke things into existence.

Miracles - Israel crossing through bodies of water.

Or, the dead coming back to life! (Elijah to Jesus)

Especially the resurrection of Jesus.

Three days dead.

And in today’s world, the way we refer to Jesus - as a sheep.

Completely different than how our political parties have chosen to redefine that word.

Far different usage than how the Bible uses it.

But, one of the most powerful images in all of the Bible is found in Revelation 7.

God is personified as a Lamb.

And there is this great multitude standing around this lamb and praising it.

Even more when you realize this isn’t just any Lamb.

Pretty and white and fluffy.

No ordinary baby sheep.

Bloodied.

Yet with great power and knowledge (seven horns and seven eyes).

This whole image of the entirety of the church, all believers through all ages, gathering and worshipping a sheep, sounds like foolishness on its surface, removed from the context of the Bible.

A concept which the Apostle Paul had wrestled with.

As he would be preaching and thinking about how people must be receiving and rejecting what he is saying.

Today, on Palm Sunday, we will meditate on the death of God.

A concept which sounds foolish.

But, to those who believe, it is the power of salvation.

This morning, we will look at the origins of this language answering why Jesus was compared to a lamb.

Context of plagues.

Warning of

Judgment Is Coming

vv.

1-6

Over and over again, Pharaoh had chosen rebellion.

Now, he would experience the truth that rebellion leads to judgment.

While this judgment was intended for Egypt, there was preparation that the people of Israel would need to take as well.

You might think about an event that required a lot of preparation - prom.

Picking what to wear, hair, nails, make-up, cleaning your car (or renting a limo), what time to arrive, when to leave, after prom activities.

We put all this preparation into an event because it is an important event in the life of many high school students.

We prepare for important occasions.

For the Israelites, the most important day in their history was set to arrive - the LORD’s judgment upon Egypt.

This preparation represented a new beginning for Israel (v. 2).

As part of this preparation for judgment would be a meal (v.

3).

But, not just any lamb!

“Without blemish, a male a year old” (v.

5).

The animal’s perfection in age and condition symbolizes whole-hearted devotion and emphasizes their own impurities.

Then there was a four day waiting period of separation for the lamb until the timing of its death and preparation (v. 6).

For Egypt, this judgment was promised because of their rejection of God’s Word.

Rebellion is just as real in our day.

What Scripture tells us about ourselves is that we are all deserving of God’s judgment.

If we are real honest with ourselves…we have broken God’s Word and are sinners.

Yet, paired with this reality of our natural relationship with God, being enemies, God was working for your rescue before you even had a first chance to sin.

Prepare for the promised judgment.

Hope Is Coming

vv.

7-13

This lamb that would provide a meal for their home, it was also to be a provision of protection.

Judgment was coming, but hope was promised.

When the lamb was slaughtered, its blood was to be collected.

Then the blood was to be spread around on the doorframe to the home.

This marking by the blood and the participation in the meal is then given a name: “It is the LORD’s Passover” (v.

11).

What does this word mean?

A lot of different ideas.

One, the destroyer would pass over the land of Egypt.

Two: the destroyer would skip the homes marked with the blood.

The blood is important!

It is a sign, not to the destroyer, but to the Israelites (v.

13).

Signs are a memorial, a means of remembrance.

Hope is found in remembering who you belong to.

Frightening sounds outside.

Weeping and crying.

Leading to fear in the home.

They would question if they were truly safe.

Then they could look to the blood on the doorframe and remember.

The joys of shopping at Sam’s.

You buy something and you’re good for like months or years.

Box of taquitos.

Every two months.

Laundry detergent.

Every four months.

Paper towels.

Every two years.

Trash bags.

That’s a once every six year purchase.

Walking out of Sam’s…show them your receipt.

Proof that you have the right to walk out with all that stuff.

The blood on the door frame served as a reminder to them that they had been received protection!

Victor Hamilton makes this keen observation:

“‘Hebrewness’ will not save them.

Only the blood will.”

-Victor Hamilton

The blood of the lamb was directly related to their hope.

It could be found in nothing else.

Freedom Is Coming

vv.

21-27

Moses is given instructions for the participation in the meal in vv.

14-20.

Picks up the instruction to the people of Israel in v. 21.

Summary in v. 23.

But then notice this shift in expectation in v. 24.

Your sons.