Let The Son Shine Upon The Door Posts Of Thine House, And Upon Thy Gates Of Your Heart - Part 1803

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come -- wherefore, let him that thinketh he stands, take heed lest he fall. [For] there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that One Bread." (I Corinthians 10:1-33)

Jesus told us that He is the Bread of Life. He is the living Bread which came down from heaven so that we might have life, and similarly, never hunger again. 

"For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven and gives Life unto the world." (John 6:33) 

From the old, we understand that when the exodus of Egypt was front page news, all of those who had demonstrated their obedience to God’s command sprinkled the blood of a lamb around their door posts so that they would not be harmed, as God had promised. (Exodus 12:1-33) 

"For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees 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." (Exodus 12:23)

But in the morning, these people did not stay put. Indeed, as we read in the scriptures, these were now en-route to the Red Sea. To observers, traveling to the Jordan River was like heading down a dead end street but they plodded onward nevertheless. The taskmasters recouping from their now impoverished place watched as their former slave labour hit the road. So, let's bring out the army along with the big guns, they thought. Surely, they will protect our comfortable luxurious lifestyle, these Hebrew slaves, so that we can live in abundance forevermore. Sound familiar to the world we live in today? But I digress.

What these masters were unaware of was that God had heard the cry of the Hebrew slaves. Their prayers had ascended to His ears, and He being a compassionate God was touched with the feelings of their infirmities.

[As an aside, remember, that we were originally designed by God (the Potter) to be an earthly visible expression of His own humanity. We were designed to become the sons of God -- His beloved -- walking in the cool of the afternoon with our Creator. Indeed, the plan was that we would be a perfect creation. God created man with His own hands. What is man that you -- our Lord God and Saviour -- would be so mindful of him?]

Continuing, we learn that these approached the barrier river. When confronted with the Jordan River, there was no doubt fear and dismay within them -- the enemy close behind, and a river of considerable magnitude before them. I am sure these must have thought -- "What now?" But Moses had the rod /staff in his hand. Recall that Moses was a faithful servant in the plan of God’s creation? Jesus is the builder of the house. And Moses knew in whom to trust. Moses waited. God instructed. "Moses" God said, "Lift up the rod/staff over the waters" and ...!

Look at what happened next. Where did that wind come from? Why even the wind and the waters obey Him? Walls of water on either side of the river while the ground stayed dry underfoot. A cloud overhead and the people were free. What a getaway. The Hebrews all crossed over to the opposite bank, with sighs of relief and amazement. But the big guns of the army emerged, endeavouring to pursue the Hebrews. In so doing, their fate was sealed. The watery walls of the Jordan River collapsed over them when they attempted to cross and they perished.

Like these Hebrew slaves, apostle Paul is telling us that we too must pass through the water, following that Rock which is Christ -- being baptized in the precious Name of our Lord Jesus the Christ, so that we can be clothed in His garment of righteousness. (I Corinthians 10:1-4; Acts 2:36-38; Romans 6:3-4)  

Thus, the titles wherein many today are baptized (as a consequence of a false modern day religious culture) will only get us wet. Why? Because our salvation is in Jesus. It is Jesus who paid the ultimate price so that we might have life in Him. He alone shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) For Jesus is BOTH LORD AND CHRIST! (Acts 2:36)

The same Rock which was Christ then is saying this day -- “Let My people go so that they may serve Me."

And in this dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS! (Matthew 1:18-23)

Then, and now, the scriptures clearly state that they/we ALL are to eat the SAME spiritual meat and similarly, ALL to drink the SAME spiritual drink -- of the spiritual Rock which followed them. And as the scriptures so clearly state -- that Rock was Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-4)

Therefore, let there be no divisions among believers. The cup of blessing which we bless is the Lord Jesus Christ -- behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world! Consequently then, let us continue steadfastly in the Holy Ghost teachings delivered to us and confirmed to us with signs and wonders and gifts. Remember, if God confirms His Word, no man has the power to dis-annul. He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the our Lord God and Saviour -- the Holy Ghost -- has to say to us this day.

Stand in the offering plate.