First Day of Unleavened Bread—2010

Greetings everyone, welcome to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 2010. It certainly has been a very eventful year and many things have taken place and a lot of things have happened around the world. We see prophecy marching on, yet we need to understand the most important thing that is taking place is what the people of God are doing, because we are the ones who keep the commandments of God. We are the ones who truly love God and follow Him and walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Let's come to Leviticus 23:4—we've already covered many of the other subjects leading up to the Holy Days, so we won't go through those again. But it says here: "These are the appointed Feasts of the LORD, Holy convocations which you shall proclaim in their appointed seasons.. [so God is the One Who's appointed them. It is His Feast.] .In the fourteenth day of the first month, between the two evenings, is the LORD'S Passover" (vs 4-5).

Remember that it is God's. It's not the Jews; it's not the church's; it is God's! And if you want to define it today, it would be properly defined the Christian Passover for the New Covenant, because that's what we do, and we do what Jesus said. And as I've mentioned many times before, we are Scripturalists. We've all had the Night to be Much Observed, which God says you shall remember that and do that. That's not an invention of men. That's an invention of God! He wants us to remember the event of coming out Egypt. We will see that's the theme for the First Day of Feast of Unleavened Bread: coming out of Egypt. They came out of Egypt physically. In today's world, we need to come out of Egypt spiritually. Just like they had to go where God led them, we have to walk in the way of the Lord.

Verse 6: ".on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. You must eat unleavened bread seven days. On the first day you shall have a Holy convocation. You shall not do any servile work therein, but you shall offer a fire offering to the LORD seven days.. [Now, those are all the offerings listed in Num. 28, concerning the offerings for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but the priests were to offer. We will see where He also tells us what we are to do as personal offerings, in just a minute.] . In the seventh day is a Holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein." So, there's the command of God for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

We've seen in Exo. 23 & 34 how important the Feast of Unleavened Bread is, and it's listed even among some of the Ten Commandments as it's reiterated in Exo. 34. Now, let's come to Deuteronomy 16, and let's see where God talks about the offering that we, as individuals, are to bring: the circumstances behind that, what we are to do, how we are to do it, what attitude we need to have and what we need to remember. Everything that we have comes from God. We have nothing that we didn't received. We have nothing of ourselves except God gave it to us, whether it's our physical body, the physical things, the air we breathe, the water we drink the planet we live on, etc.—it all comes from the Lord.

Deuteronomy 16:16: "Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the LORD your God in the place which He shall choose. [Why did God say 'all the males'? Because there are times when women are giving birth and they are not able to come. But it is required of all the males, the heads of the households.] .in the place which He shall choose. [Where does God choose today? Well, the New Testament tells us wherever 'two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of you, or among you.' So wherever we come together in the name of God, that is the place that He has chosen, because He has put His Spirit in us. So it's not a physical place, although since we're still physical, we have to meet in a physical place.] .in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles. And they shall not appear before the LORD empty. [We're not to come to God and say, 'Oh, I have to give something to God?' You need to understand what it is. You need to understand what you need to do. You need to prepare for it.] .every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God, which He has given you" (vs 16-17).

So, every offering that we give on the Holy Days, we're to count our blessings! We are to look and see how God has dealt with us:

physically

spiritually

mentally

emotionally

educating us

teaching us

learning of His Word

—all of those things are what we need to consider when we bring an offering to God.

That's what we're told to do here. We have several other Scriptures we need to look at. Let's come to Mark 12:41, and let's see how Jesus looks upon our hearts as we are giving an offering; as He also looked upon the hearts of those who were coming to the temple and putting their offerings in the treasury.

Mark 12:41: "And after sitting down opposite the temple treasury, He observed how the people were casting money into the treasury; and many rich ones were putting in much. And one poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins. [these are called mites] .which is equal to one copper coin. Then He called His disciples to Him and said to them. [Here's the lesson for us. Are we disciples of Christ? Yes! Is He the One Who is the Teacher? Yes! Are we to become like the Teacher? That's the whole purpose of the New Covenant—isn't it? Yes, indeed!] .'Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all of those who are casting money into the treasury.. [Not only was it the amount, but it was her circumstances and it was her heart and attitude.] .For everyone else contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her destitution put in as much as she had, giving all her living'" (vs 41-44). That wasn't all her living for the rest of her life, but probably for the rest of that day.

Then we have in 2-Cor. 9, that God is able, through His grace, 'to make us abound to all sufficiency in all things' if we do what God wants us to do, and how we are to do it, and the way we are to do it.

(At this time, we'll take a pause and we will take up the offering)

Let's see what God tells us, because there are some special things that we need to learn—the reason of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Let's understand something:

There are physical things that we need to do

There are spiritual things that we need to do.

There are also spiritual lessons for us who are in the New Covenant

—because there is the letter of the law and there is the spirit of the law, and also there is the function of using God's way and God's Holy Days as He lays out His plan for us. We know we're the first fruits; we know that we are the Church of the Firstborn.

As we read this in Exodus 13, let's understand what it's telling us, and let's look at the spiritual lesson. Let's understand how these things apply to us, not only what we are to do physically, but what we are to do spiritually. In keeping the Sabbath there's a physical aspect of it: not working. There's a spiritual aspect of it—learning God's way:

• praying to God
• studying His Word
• loving each other
• loving the brethren
• loving God.

—that's all part of our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Too many people in the world say, 'Well, this is the Old Testament, so we don't have to do that.' You know, that has been such a powerful thing in world 'Christianity.' I got an e-mail the other day from a very staunch believer in Catholicism. He said, 'All other translations besides what the Catholics do is null and void.' So, my answer back to him was: The truth is, we're not dealing with what the Catholics have done because they didn't begin until 325 _A.D. under the pagan emperor Constantine. We are restoring original Christianity which then goes back to what did Jesus do? What did the disciples do? What did the apostles do? That's what we are focused in on.

So, let's read Exodus 13 from the point of view of what was required then, and then what's required of us today spiritually. Exo. 12:51 really should be the first verse. In the original order Bible we have that as the first verse before Exo. 13:1

Exodus 12:51: "12:51: "And it came to pass the very same day, when the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies, [13:1]: then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Sanctify all the firstborn to Me.'" There's a lesson for us. Let's start with the lesson of Jesus Christ: He was the firstborn of Mary—correct? Yes! He was also the firstborn from among the dead—correct? Yes! Now, we come into the Church and we are in the Church of the Firstborn. We'll talk more about that when we come down to Pentecost—we're also the firstfruits. They all belong to God! That's the thing that's important to understand.

Just like with us, brethren, we're not our own to do what we want, to do what we will. We belong to God. And the very fact, as we will see on the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, that you're going to be amazed how expansive the grace of God really, really is. Not in the sense that the Protestants have, because they have a lawless grace. One thing we need to understand: The Protestants understand very few things in the Bible. They really more like Catholics.

Verse 3: "And Moses said to the people, 'Remember this day. [Doesn't that sound an awful lot like the Sabbath? What did God say concerning the weekly Sabbath? Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy. Just like with the Holy Days, first thing people in the world forget about is the Sabbath. And, unfortunately, too many in the Church treat it very slight, too. The next thing they forget—or maybe it's in reverse order—the first thing they forget are the Holy Days.] (But this is): .'Remember this day. [which is what? The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread!] .in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for the LORD brought you out from this place by the strength of His hand. There shall be no leavened bread eaten. On this day you are going out, in the month Abib'" (vs 3-4). Later, that month was renamed Nisan, which is the first month.

Then he talks about when they went into the land, that they were to keep this. Verse 6: "'You shall eat unleavened bread seven days, and in the seventh day there shall be a Feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And there shall be no leavened bread seen with you, nor shall there be leaven seen with you in all your borders'" (vs 6-7). Today, what we do, we unleaven our homes and get it off our property. But back then, when they came into the land, they had to unleaven the whole country—everything! So that was a larger task that was to be done than what we are faced today.

Now, what are we to tell our children? Why do we keep this Feast? We will see. We are to tell our children. They are to learn and understand what the Feast of Unleavened Bread means. Verse 8. "'And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, "This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out from Egypt."'" All right, have we been called out of the world? Yes! Jesus said, 'Sanctify them with Your Word, Your Word is Truth. And I pray for them, not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one.'

We're not taken out of the world, brethren. We have to live in the world, but we have to come out of Egypt spiritually. And the Feast of Unleavened Bread pictures our spiritual journey of coming out of sin and out of Egypt, just like it pictured the actual physical leaving of Egypt by the children of Israel. Notice what this is to be. We need to compare this with Heb. 10 where it says that we are going to have His 'laws and commandments written in our minds and in our hearts.' Let's understand something: That is with the Spirit of God.

Also, let's understand this—I'll just give you a little hint for the sermon for the Sabbath during Unleavened Bread—to keep the commandments of God in the spirit and to have the Spirit of God in us and to have the laws and commandments of God written in our hearts and in our minds is an act of grace by God the Father and Jesus Christ. Now, you think on that! I'll show you where it tells us in the New Testament.

"'And it shall be a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in your mouth, for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this law in its season from year to year.'" (vs 9-10). Here's something special having to do with the firstborn, again. And this also, when you get to Deut. 16, helps explain all the offerings that were to be given 'from the flock and from the herd' and all of the extra things that were done in preparation for the Night to Be Much Observed, as we have already covered.

Verse 11: "'And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and shall give it to you, you shall set apart to the LORD all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes of any animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD'S" (vs 11-12). There were wholly dedicated to God. Well, what if the firstborn was a female? That was to be used in observing the Feasts. That's what it talks about in Deut. 14, that you shall 'eat the firstborn.' Have to be only the females. The males belong to God!

Notice what else: "'And every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb.. [That requires an offering.] .And if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.. [that's a picture of the Church. We are the Church of the Firstborn. We are redeemed from the world. Christ has paid the penalty for our sins. Christ is bringing us out of spiritual Egypt.] .And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What does this mean?" you shall say to him, "The LORD brought us out of Egypt by the strength of His hand, from the house of bondage. And it came to pass when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn of the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the womb, that are males. But all the firstborn of my sons I redeem."'" (vs 13-15). That's a very important thing for us to understand.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, just like everything else, the New Testament does not do away with the Feasts of God. It brings a different aspect and meaning of keeping the Feasts of God. Likewise with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Every year we come to 1-Corinthians 5, so let's go there and let's read the spiritual things that we are to learn from the Feast of Unleavened Bread and what it means in our lives, because just like Christ came

to forgive us our sins—which He did

to bring us the righteousness of God—which He did

We all have our part in overcoming sin. He's given us His Spirit so that we can overcome sin, so that we can change. Notice how he [Paul] ties this in with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the meaning of leaven during the Feast of Unleavened Bread spiritually—that leaven equates to sin! With the covenant with Israel that they had, the unleavened bread and the meal that they were to eat with the Passover pictured the harsh bondage that they were in. So, likewise, we have been brought out of the bondage of sin into the liberty and the freedom of God. So there is a special meaning for it.

They [the Corinthians] had a problem and many churches have many problems. Brethren, the truth really is (when you get down to it): How do you solve those problems? Each and every person has to put sin out his or her life. And each one really needs to remember the covenant of the Passover that we have; that we are bought and paid for by Jesus Christ and we are not our own. We belong to Him. We are the firstborn. With this problem, Paul gives the lesson and we will see (as we have already covered)—because we come to this many times leading up to and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

1-Corinthians 5:6: "Your glorying is not good. Don't you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" That's what happens if you don't constantly put leaven out of your lives

not only during the Feast of Unleaven Bread to examine your lives and see where you have sin

not only in preparation for the Passover, which we've already kept

and taken our week to examine our lives and to see how we are doing

We are to be constantly be putting sin out of our lives. The whole purpose of the Feast of Unleaven Bread is to have us become unleavened in Christ. In other words, to be perfected! And the goal of being perfected is what? Matt. 5:48: we are to 'become perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect.' So that tells you the work of God working in our lives and our cooperation with God to make it work. We need to understand that as well.

Notice the instructions. This is our part. It may seem like a small thing to people to put leaven out of their homes. But let's see where Paul shows the spiritual application of it. Verse 7: "Therefore, purge out the old leaven, so that you may become a new lump, even as you are unleavened.. [So, they were unleavening their homes. There would be no reason for saying 'as you are unleavened'] .For Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us." That's the very reason that we keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That's quite the opposite of what the world does. They celebrate Easter, and, as you know, there is no place in the Bible where it talks about Easter as something to do for God. Everywhere it is a feast to the 'queen of heaven.'

There's one place in Acts 12 where they translated the Greek 'pascha'—which is for Passover—Easter, because the King James translators on those committees couldn't stand it that there wasn't anyplace where they could put 'Easter' in, except they thought, 'we'll do it in this one place, and aren't we good boys, we have Easter in the New Testament.' You ought to read some of the silly justifications for what they have on the reason for it being there, when it's just a plain, deliberate mistranslation to mislead.

Here is a New Testament command for us, as we've already covered, but we need to reiterate it so we know why we are here is for a specific reason; and why we are keeping the Feast of Unleavened Bread is for a specific reason; and why we keep the Holy Days is for a specific reason, in addition to it being the 'appointed time' that God has given to us to come before Him on these days.

Verse 8: "For this reason, let us keep the Feast. [Is that plain enough? Is that plain enough? Did Paul say don't worry about the Feast, Jesus did away with it? NO!] .not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness. [So leaven becomes a type of sin.] .but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth." What did Jesus say to His disciples, on the Passover night, concerning Himself. They asked Him, 'Where are you going to go, Lord?' and He said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me.' That eliminates all other religions. That eliminates all counterfeit religions of 'Christianity' as well, because He said this on the Passover night. We'll see some other things concerning it.

Let's come back to John 13; let's learn another lesson which we get from the Passover night, and here's something we need to know; we always need to keep this in mind. Let's learn the lesson of 'foot washing.' That's another thing that they forget. Some people do it, but you've got to do in the way and the time and the manner and on the day and at the time that Jesus did it. He gave us an example that we should 'do as He did' to the disciples. Tremendous lesson, not only for the Passover, but in our relationship with God.

John 13:12: "Therefore, when He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and had sat down again, He said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you?.. [Do you understand what I did. They're sitting there, 'Well, Lord, no! You washed our feet.'] .So He gave them the answer): .You call Me the Teacher and the Lord, and you speak rightly, because I am. Therefore, if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also are duty-bound to wash one another's feet; for I [Christ] have given you an example, to show that you also should do exactly as I have done to you'" (vs 12-15). We did this on the Passover night.

Here's the meaning of it, because this becomes very important, v 16: "'Truly, truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, nor a messenger greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them'" (vs 16-17). What is it concerning the Feast of Unleavened Bread? 'The messenger is not greater than the Lord. The Lord said, 'Keep the Feast.' Paul His apostles said, 'Let us keep the Feast.' And He gave the spiritual application of it—'the messenger is not greater than he who sent him.' Too many of those who profess Christianity violate this every Sunday and say, 'we're greater than the Lord. He did away with His law.' That's like asking God to cease to exist. That's totally nonsensical and it's not Biblical!

Now let's see what the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread really mean? What is it spiritually for us? Let's come to John, the sixth chapter. Let's see what Jesus said; these are His words. As Paul said, if anyone does not abide by the sound words, even the words of Jesus Christ, get away from them! Amazing statement—isn't it?

As you have heard in the series that we've been doing, Bible Answers to the Evangelicals. Listen, brethren, don't ever look at Protestants and think they 'just have a little different form of Christianity than we do, but they meet on Sunday.' Nonsense!

Here it gets down to the nitty-gritty; this is the unleavenness or the truth of the understanding of why God wants us to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and why it follows the Passover. We have our sins forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ and His shed blood, which we know occurred on the Passover. So what do we do then? Then we have a responsibility to get sins out of our lives. How do we do that? Let's see what Jesus said:

John 6:51: "'I am the living bread, which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is even My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.'.. [But you have been called as the firstborn of the firstfruits. God hasn't called the rest of the world yet. That's why we need to keep all the Holy Days of God so we understand His plan. That's why we have the book, God's Plan For Mankind Reveled by His Sabbath and Holy Days.

Verse 52: ".'How is He able to give us His flesh to eat?' Therefore, Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves.. [In other words, you don't have eternal life.] .The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day. [Pentecost, as we will see when we get around to that] .For My flesh is truly food, and My blood is truly drink. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood is dwelling in Me, and I in him.. [Because you are in a covenant with God the Father and Jesus Christ. That's why any counterfeit or substitute for the Passover is null and void. You need to think about that!] (here is the key; here is how we become unleavened): .As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father; so also the one who eats Me shall live by Me'" (vs 52-57). Think about that! How do we live our lives? By Jesus Christ

with the Spirit of God!

with His Word!

with His Truth!

with His righteousness!

That's what we are to do! Christ is the Light of the world, and He shows us where to go and what to do and how to do it!

Let's come back John, the third chapter, and let's see something about John 3 that carries on from v 16. Oh, yes, everyone likes to quote John 3:16, and did you know that in the King James Version that it's not translated correctly? John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish. [doesn't say 'should not' perish, because this in the Greek is in the subjunctive, meaning that there are conditions to it—right? Do we not have to be faithful unto the end? Yes! Is that not a condition? Do we not have to love God and keep His commandments? Are those not conditions? Yes! There are no conditions on God. It's not saying that God may love the world He loves the world unconditionally.] (but when He calls us we): .maynot perish, but may have everlasting life."

Now, notice how He explains it right here in the verses after, which are conveniently overlooked by 'Christianity' in the world. Verse 17: "For God sent not His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged, but the one who does not believe has already been judged because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment. [it happens automatic] .that the light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than the light because their works were evil' (vs 17-19). Jesus is the Light of the world! Do men want to follow Christ? No! They want the benefit without obedience. But, you can't have the benefit without obedience. That's why it is 'may not perish' but 'may have everlasting life'—according to the conditions that God has imposed upon us. They don't like to come to the Light because their works are evil.

"For everyone who practices evil hates the light." (v 20). Isn't that interesting? Stop and think about it for a minute. If you're a good Protestant and you're listening to this and you're kind of sitting there seething and wondering about this and you hate the Holy Days of God and you hate what is preached. I get e-mails saying, 'you belong to a cult.' No, a cult is where you have a religion that is substituted for the Truth that's in the Bible. That is a cult! The Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, all the religions of the world are cults and they keep occult holidays—don't they? Sometimes the truth is kind of hard to take. Why is that Protestants hate the Sabbath? Hate the Holy Days? Because they hate Christ! 'Oh no, we love Christ.' Jesus said, 'Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the will of the Father?'

".and does not come to the light, so that his works may not be exposed. [They don't like to think about their wonderful Sunday as sin; or their wonderful Easter as sin; or their wonderful Christmas and Halloween—all of those things are sin! They are!] (here is how we are to live): .but the one who practices the Truth comes to the light. [this is what we're doing; Christ is the Light of the world. We are coming to the Light] .so that his works may be manifested, that they have been accomplished by the power of God"  (v 20-21). Not our works. Our works will never save us. But the works which God the Father has given to us to walk in, and the Holy Spirit of God, that will save us. They won't come to the Light.

Let's come to John 12:25—this tells us an awful lot. Here's all a part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. We count the cost, we know what we need to do, we know where we need to go, we know what we need to accomplish. As I read this let's each one of us ask ourselves, internally: Do I do this?

John 12:25: "The one who loves his life shall lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life.. [Do you understand that? The 'life' means the way you're living!] .If anyone will serve Me, let him follow Me. [Just like the children of Israel had to follow the light by night and the pillar of cloud by day—to follow God into the wilderness and later into the 'promised land.' We are to also follow Christ Who is the Light of the world.] .and where I am, there shall My servant be also. And if anyone serves Me, him shall the Father honor" (vs 25-26). That's something—isn't it?

Let's come back to John 8:12 and see where Jesus calls Himself the light of the world. "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world; the one who follows Me shall never walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'"

Isn't that something! That's what God wants to give us! That's how we come out of spiritual Egypt!

we follow the light of God's Word

we keep the commandments of God

we have the Spirit of God

we are overcoming human nature

we are getting rid of the leaven of sin in our lives

and we are being perfected by the process of conversion. That's what Unleavened Bread is all about!

Track 2 or Download

Let's see some other things that we can read to understand what it is to put out the leaven. That is, to put out sin! Let's come to the book of Proverbs, because there are some things here that when we read the Proverbs, what we need to do is read them through the eyes of the Spirit of God within us and apply it spiritually.

Here's something really important to understand. Here's how you resist temptation: You don't get close to it! And just like Paul said, we are to 'bring every thought into captivity, casting down vain imaginations that exalt themselves against God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ' (2-Cor. 10). That's what we are to do! This is how we are to operate mentally and spiritually living in this world, because around us is the world; around us is the way of Satan. We are not out of the world, but we are not to be part of the world. So, here in Proverbs 4 is some instruction, what we need to do.

Proverbs 4:13: "Keep hold of instruction. [All the instruction of the New Testament, keep hold of it. Don't let the leaven of your human nature come along and say, 'Well, you know, a little of this, a little of that, a little of the other thing..' Remember, when you think you don't have time to pray, that's when you need to pray. Remember, when you think you don't have time to study, that's when you need to study. Stop and think: Who is it that has called you? Who has given you the Holy Spirit? And God expects you to exercise and use the Holy Spirit so that it will lead you.] .Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Enter not into the path of the wicked. [Don't go their way! Stop! Turn! Go the other way! Get away from it! Cast the thought of temptation out of your mind!] .and go not into the way of evil men" (vs 13-14)—because a 'little leaven leavens the whole lump'—right? A little sin leads to more sin. Unless it's repented of, then it will grow; it will expand; the temptation will come, and then lust comes along and nourishes the thought. And it's really kind of a good thought. Then when it finally comes to full fruition then sin takes place.

Here's what you do, v 15: "Avoid it; do not go in it; turn from it, and pass on! For they do not sleep except when they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall, for they eat the bread of wickedness. [and we eat the Bread of Righteousness—and that is Christ—correct? Yes!] .and drink the wine of violence" (vs 15-17). We drink the wine of God, which is the blood of Christ. Quite a difference—isn't it? That's the way of the world. Here is the way we are to walk in. Here is the path that God has called us to.

Verse 18: "But the path of the just is as the shining light. [We are to follow Christ Who is the light. We are to come to Him Who is the light] .that shines more and more to the perfect day." And what is that perfect day? The resurrection!

Let's see what else we are to do—come to Psalm 34. Very interesting, and also the Psalms are very spiritual and tell us what we need to do and where we need to go. Let's see what we're taught here; quite instructive for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Let's apply this, with the Spirit of God, with the understanding that we have. This is a Psalm of David:

Psalm 34:1: "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall always be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear and be glad.. [You boast in God! Not yourself. We'll see this a little later in 1-Cor. 1 in just a minute.] .O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.. [How do we exalt the name of God? By living the way that He wants us to. And we will see that. We will see the perfection—that is talked about that is pictured by Unleavened Bread—is to imitate God! That's why we have the Bible.] .I sought the LORD. [and that's what we are to do! Seek the Lord! What did Jesus say? Seek and you shall find! Knock and it shall be opened! Ask and you shall receive! And you do this every day continually.] .and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears" (vs 1-4).

Now, let me tell you something here, brethren: There are a lot of people out there who live in fear. Even though all the things that we know are coming at the end-time, don't live in fear! Claim the promise of Psa. 91. Don't be afraid to love God! Don't be afraid to claim the promises of the grace of God!

Verse 5: "They looked to Him and were radiant; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard, and saved him out of all his troubles.. [That's a promise we can claim. Listen! You know and I know and we all know together—and we'll admit this together, it is true—we're all going to be confronted with problems and difficulties—correct? Is there anytime we don't have something we need to work on and overcome? No! But God delivers us out of all of them!

Notice what else; here's a blessing that comes: "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them.. [God has His angels about you. You have His Spirit in you. That's tremendous, brethren. That is a great and marvelous thing.] (This is why he says, v 8, and this ties in with what Jesus said that you 'eat My flesh and drink My blood' You don't do it literally. It is the way of Christ): .O taste and see that the LORD is good. [No one's going to run up and 'chomp'; clump a chunk out of God. This means His way, taste and see by experiencing, by doing, by obeying, by loving] .that the LORD is good. [and remember this, never forget this in whatever difficulties you are in, that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose and love God! Everything! Don't forget that!] .blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. O fear the LORD, all you saints, for there is nothing lacking to those who fear Him" (vs 8-9). Isn't that something?

Verse 12: "Who is the man that desires life. [Who is the one that desires eternal life? Everyone would say, 'Yea, that's me, I want eternal life.'] .and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it" (vs 12-14). And that's the peace that comes from God.

What did Jesus say on the Passover night? Peace I give you. Not as the world gives to you do I give it to you; I give My peace to you. So, in the midst of all troubles and difficulties and trials you can still have peace of mind because it comes from God and His Spirit.

Notice what else, v 15: "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous. [We are righteous through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And having God's Spirit in us, don't you think that God's eyes are upon us? God's eyes are upon us. His angels are about us. That's why we have nothing to fear. That's why God has called us. It's a tremendous thing, brethren. And that's why the Feast of Unleavened Bread.] .and His ears are open to their cry." That's why it all gets back to what you've heard, how many times through the years? Prayer and Bible study and living God's way—that's it, isn't it? Yes, indeed!

Let's see how we are to walk. Let's come to the Epistle of 1-John. This is really very instructive; very inspiring, brethren. And let me tell you what also is important. Your relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ—through prayer, through study, through living and through growing and overcoming—is the most precious thing that there is. There is nothing greater than that fellowship. There is nothing greater than that relationship. And what you need to realize is this: It comes from God the Father and Jesus Christ Who have lived through all eternity and God is dealing with you (as you will see for the sermon on the Sabbath during Unleavened Bread). God is looking upon us. We are the center of His activity on the earth (in case you didn't understand that).

Notice how far back this goes. 1-John 1:1: "That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our own eyes, that which we observed for ourselves and our own hands handled, concerning the Word of life." Remember, John 'handled Him'; the apostles 'touched' Him after He was resurrected. Can you imagine the amazing experience of that!? John is writing here is so that you can understand and that same kind of understanding and feeling can come to you through God's Spirit; because God's Spirit is eternal and this is how we come out of spiritual Egypt. This is how we walk in the way that is true. This is how we become unleavened and become perfect before God. That's what the Feast is all about.

Verse 2: ".and are reporting to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us)." This is a tremendous thing! An eyewitness report by John to us down through all ages. Think of that! We are to share in that. We are to understand it. And that's what the Feast of Unleavened Bread is all about:

that we put away the world

we put away our lusts

we put away our sins

through Jesus Christ

we grow

we change

we overcome

we build the character of God, through a personal relationship with God, called fellowship! And fellowship also means partnership.

Verse 3: ".that which we have seen and have heard we are reporting to you in order that you also may have fellowship with us; for the fellowship. [the central point of our relationship with God—THE fellowship!] .—indeed, our fellowship—is with the Father and with His own Son Jesus Christ." Isn't that amazing?! Yes! You need to realize it! We need to keep this in mind always.

Verse 4: "These things we are also writing to you, so that your joy may be completely full.. [and that's how you feel when you're growing and overcoming the way God wants you to.] .These things we. [whoever was with John at this time: Andrew, Philip and maybe Mark] .are also writing to you, so that your joy may be completely full And this is the message that we have heard from Him and are declaring to you: that God is light, and there is no darkness at all in Him. If we proclaim that we have fellowship with Him, but we are walking in the darkness, we are lying to ourselves, and we are not practicing the Truth" (vs 4-6). Isn't that interesting and profound? You can't claim Jesus Christ and live in sin! You can't claim Jesus Christ, Who is to be our light and lead us and guide us, and practice wickedness. An impossibility!

Verse 7: "However, if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His own Son, cleanses us from all sin." Continually, every day!

That's why every day we ask for forgiveness.

That's why every day we yield ourselves to God.

That's why every day we do the things that we need to do.

So, keep that in mind.

Now, let's come over here to 1-John 2; let's see something. Talks about keeping the commandments, but I want to emphasize vs 5 & 6—this is real important! Though we've heard this many times before, let's understand it more fully with the spiritual understanding concerning the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

1-John 2:3: "And by this standard we know that we know Him. [We've got to know and understand that we know God!] .if we keep His commandments.. [That's how it is. And part of His commandments is what? The Sabbath and the Holy Days. And what did He say about the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Remember this day! Yes, indeed!] .The one who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is not in him. On the other hand. [This is what we need to emphasize and understand.] .if anyone is keeping His Word, truly in this one the love of God is being perfected.. [Because, brethren, that's why the Feast of Unleavened Bread; that we become perfected in Christ

through the Spirit of God

through growing

through changing

through overcoming

through repenting

through yielding to God in every way!

.By this means we know that we are in Him. Anyone who claims to dwell in Him is obligating himself also to walk even as He Himself walked" (vs 3-6). We'll see that in just a little bit. We have that obligation. Do you do that? When was the last time you studied through the Gospels to see how we are to live the way Jesus said? You might go back and do that.

Let's come to the second Epistle of John and let's see how he clarifies this. this is really quite something when we understand it; when we put it together; when we realize what it's telling us. It's telling us an awful lot, even in these 13 verses.

2-John 1: "The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in Truth. [this is symbolic of the Truth, because we are the 'chosen lady.'] .and not I alone, but also all those who have known the Truth." I want you to understand how many times he mentions 'Truth.' What is Truth? Jesus said, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.' Jesus said, 'Your way is Truth, sanctify them in Your Truth.' Psa. 119 says 'Your law is Truth, Your commandments are Truth; all Your precepts concerning all things are true. That's the way we are to be walking.

Verse 2: "For the sake of the Truth that is dwelling in us. [we have the Spirit of Truth. You combine all of those things together, and through the power of that we are to put away sin; we are to become unleavened in Christ.] .and shall be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace shall be with us from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love" (vs 1-3).

Notice, one, two, three, four times he mentions 'truth' right there. How important is it? What was happening then to these people? They were beginning not to walk in the Truth. But here the faithful ones he's commending.

Verse 4: "I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found among your children those who are walking in Truth, exactly as we received commandment from the Father." And if God's Word is Truth, the Passover is Truth, the Days of Unleavened Bread are Truth, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles are Truth—right? And those are all the things that the world rejects!

Verse 5: "And now I beseech you, lady, not as though I am writing a new commandment to you, but that which we have observed from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is the love of God. [defines it again] .that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, exactly as you heard from the beginning, that you might walk in it. [notice the conflict that they had; the same conflict that we have today]: .because many deceivers have entered into the world—those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is the spirit of the deceiver and the antichrist" (vs 5-7). There are a lot of people who don't believe that Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. They are antichrist. They may look nice; they may sound nice; they may act nice; they may behave nice; but they're not of God. We need to understand that. ".This is the spirit of the deceiver and the antichrist."

Verse 8: "Watch out for yourselves. [That's what the Feast if Unleavened Bread is all about. Take stock of yourself, see where you fall short, see what sins you still have to overcome and put out.] .in order that we may not lose the things we have accomplished, but that we may receive a full reward."

Now, let's see what the Apostle Paul wrote for us concerning how we need to live. Let's, first of all, come back here to Galatians, the sixth chapter, and let's see how Paul considered himself toward the world. When you understand, the whole operation of baptism is we are conjoined to the sacrifice of Christ. And this is why Christ inspired Paul to write it this way.

Galatians 6:14: "But as for me, MAY IT NEVER BE that I boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Do you count yourself that way, crucified to the world?

Galatians 2:20—Let's see what he says about being crucified and what it is concerning the way of God. "I have been crucified with Christ, yet I live. Indeed, it is no longer I; but Christ lives in me.. [That's the true whole spirit of the Feast of Unleavened Bread: Christ living in us!] .For the life that I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith—that very faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me." That's something!

Now let's see how we are to live; let's see what we are to do. So, take this as a model for the whole Feast of Unleavened Bread. Let's come to Ephesians 4; let's see what it tells us what to do. We've already seen that we are to put out leaven. But leaven is a type of sin and we are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread 'in sincerity and in truth; not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness.' Here are the instructions that follow right along with the Feast of Unleavened Bread spiritually:

Ephesians 4:22: "That concerning your former conduct, you put off the old man. [the old man is crucified. Christ said that He died for us. Paul said that when he was baptized he died. Paul said that when he was baptized, he was crucified to the world, and the world to him.] which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts. [we have the change; we have to grow; we have to overcome] .and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (vs 22-23). That's where conversion takes place: in the mind, the heart, which then motivates us to live God's way.

Let's come to Romans, the twelfth chapter, and let's see how we are to be renewed in our minds. It says there 'in the righteousness and the true spiritual Holiness.' Romans 12:1: "I exhort you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy and well pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service.. [That is to love God; have a relationship with God; keep His commandments in the spirit and so forth.] (just like he wrote to the Ephesians): .Do not conform yourselves to this world. [though we live in the world, we're not of the world] .but be transformed by the renewing of your mind in order that you may prove what is well pleasing and good, and the perfect will of God" (vs 1-2). So, yes, we can do the things that please God. How many people are trying to overcome and change like those who have the Holy Spirit of God, Who know the Truth of the Passover, Who know the Truth of the Holy Days and the Feasts of God? Not very many! Is God pleased that we do so? Yes, indeed!

Now, come back here to Ephesians 4:23, again: "And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man. [that 'new man' is Christ. You learn from the Word of God. You practice the things of God, the things that Jesus has taught.] .which according to God. [according to God's way, God's Spirit, God's Word, God's Truth, Jesus Christ in us; the Father in us]: .is created. [the reason that we keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread is to let God create in us the character qualities that we need to have. And we'll see how we do that in just a bit.] ..in righteousness and Holiness of the Truth" (vs 23-24). That's quite a profound thing—isn't it?

Now, here's what we are to do. We are to overcome! And you say, 'Boy! I've got a long way to go.' So does everyone. That's why we have the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread every year. That's why we need to be renewed every year.

God made us so we can be renewed.

God made us so we can be redeemed.

God made us so we can repent and yield to Him

—and get rid of those sins. But we have our part.

Verse 25: "Therefore, let each one put away lies and speak the truth with his neighbor because we are members of one another.. [We have to change our character!] .When you become angry, do not sin.. [That's a hard one. Takes a long time to come to that.] .Do not let the sun go down on your anger. [Why? Because it causes you to not forgive! And to relive and relive and relive something you need to put out of your mind and let God handle it.] (Why?): .Neither give place to the devil" (vs 25-27). We are the devil's enemy #1! You need to understand that! He wants to come along with his subtleties and his niceties to try and get us. And if we give an 'opening'—because we're sinning, and we're going along with these sins, and we're enjoying these sins, and we're not trying to cast them out—the devil is right there saying, 'Oh, yes, that's okay, go right on.' So don't give place to the devil! It also tells us that if you're angry all the time you're giving place to the devil. Who does that come from?

Verse 28: "Let the one who stole, steal no more; rather, let him labor with his hands, working at what is good, so that he may impart something to the one who has need. Do not let any corrupt communication come out of your mouth, but that which is good and needful for edification. ['edification' is building up] .that it may give grace to those who hear. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God by which you have been sealed for the day of redemption" (vs 28-30). How do we 'grieve' the Holy Spirit? By trying to go our ways! By trying to hold on to just a little bit of sin, because you're still comfortable with it!

"Let all bitterness, and indignation, and wrath, and clamor, and evil speaking be removed from you, together with all malice. [Now, here's how we are to live. Here is the 'eating' of Christ, and 'eating' of His flesh and 'drinking' of His blood—so that we may develop the character of God. Here's how we are to live]: .and be kind and tenderhearted toward one another, forgiving one another, even as God has also in Christ forgiven you" (vs 31-32).

Remember this: You want forgiveness? Never say, 'I'll never forgive that person.' That's the one you need to forgive—even though it's hard!And even though you've got to swallow a lot of pride. And even though they haven't come to you to ask forgiveness, you need to forgive them before God and clean your slate. Put them in God's hands. Let Him take care of them.

Ephesians 5:1—here's what we are to do; here's how we are to walk; here is what we are to follow: "Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. [because we're His sons and daughters—correct? Yes! We're called to eternal life. Is that correct? Yes! We are called 'the children of God!' And 'behold what glorious love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God.' We are to imitate God as beloved children] .and walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor" (vs 1-2).

Now notice, putting out sin; don't get involved in it—v 3: "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, do not permit it even to be named among you, as is fitting for saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking or jesting, which are not becoming; but instead, thanksgiving.. [Then he gives a warning; and we need the warnings—don't we? Yes!] . For this you know, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God" (vs 3-5). You want eternal life, this shows us what to do and what to avoid.

Verse 6: "Do not let anyone deceive you with vain words. [Prove all things by the Scriptures; 'hold fast to that which is good'; cleave to that which is good!] .for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be joint partakers with them. For you were once darkness; but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (vs 6-8)—and develop the character of:

• love
• hope
• faith
• joy
• temperance
• goodness
• kindness
• meekness

—against such there is no law. And, as Paul said that if you walk in the spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Let's finish right here, v 9: "(because the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and Truth;) proving what is well pleasing to the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." (vs 9-10).

Brethren, this is how we come out of the world, which can be called spiritual Egypt! We are redeemed by the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We have been given the Spirit of God. We have been given His grace to live His way. And now, this is our part, as shown through the Feast of Unleavened Bread

To grow, to change, to overcome, to have that relationship with God to walk in the light and the Truth of His Word

Scriptural References:

1. Leviticus 23:4-6
2. Deuteronomy 16:16-17
3. Mark 12:41-44
4. Exodus 12:51
5. Exodus 13:1-4, 6-15
6. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
7. John 13:12-17
8. John 6:51-57
9. John 3:16-21
10. John 12:25-26
11. John 8:12
12. Proverbs 4:13-18
13. Psalm 34:1-9, 12-15
14. 1 John 1:1-7
15. 1 John 2:3-6
16. 2 John 1-8
17. Galatians 6:14
18. Galatians 2:20
19. Ephesians 4:22-23
20. Romans 12:1-2
21. Ephesians 4:23-32
22. Ephesians 5:1-10

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Numbers 28
• Exodus 23; 34
• 2 Corinthians 9
• Hebrews 10
• Deuteronomy 14
• Matthew 5:48
• 2 Corinthians 10
• Psalm 91; 119

Also Referenced:

• Sermon Series: Bible Answers to Evangelicals
• Book: God's Plan Revealed by His Sabbath and Holy Days by Fred R. Coulter
• Ephesians 4:23-32
• Ephesians 5:1-10
• Scriptures referenced, not quoted:
• Numbers 28
• Exodus 23; 34
• 2 Corinthians 9
• Hebrews 10
• Deuteronomy 14
• Matthew 5:48
• 2 Corinthians 10
• Psalm 91; 119

Also Referenced:

• Sermon Series: Bible Answers to Evangelicals
• Book: God's Plan Revealed by His Sabbath and Holy Days by Fred R. Coulter