Topics: bikkurim, feast of the first fruits
I. Bikkurim impels us to give God our absolute best!
* The Feast of First Fruits should impel you to make God FIRST in all of life!
- Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath, the priest shall wave it'" (Leviticus 23:9,11).
- "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
- Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine (Proverbs 3:9, 10).
II. Bikkurim promises us a future of eternal hope!
* The Feast of First Fruits points to the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
- But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power (1 Corinthians 15:20-24).
- For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (Romans 8:22, 23).
III. Bikkurim inspires us to walk in the newness of life!
* The Feast of First Fruits should transform your priorities in all of life!
- In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures (James 1:18).
- "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).
- He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything (Colossians 1:18).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, July 21st, 2024
Life group flow and discussion questions
"The Feast of First Fruits (Bikkurim)!"
An important Guideline of Life Groups: We owe God our absolute best which includes our best time, our best obedience, our best service, our best offerings and our best worship. How can your Life Group contribute to each person's spiritual devotion?
Getting Started:
- How can you live your life more open handed toward the Lord and not with closed fists?
- What does giving God your First Fruits look like?
Discussing Truths:
- What does God promise when you "honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce" (Proverbs 3:9, 10)?
- Five times Jesus referenced "worry" in His teaching of Matthew 6:25-34 which is dispelled when we truly seek first His kingdom and His righteousness - so how can you apply Jesus? remedy for anxiety and worry?
- Which resurrection will you experience according to Daniel 12:1-3, Revelation 20:6 and John 5:28-29?
- Why do you think Paul sees the resurrection of Jesus as so important (1 Corinthians 15:3-6; 12-20)?
- Do you have confidence in your future of eternal hope? What does 1 John 5:11-13 teach about assurance?
- Are you walking in resurrection victory in newness of life (Romans 6:4)?
- How can your "love of Christ" transform your priorities in life (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15)?
Now What? Application:
- How will you make Jesus your FIRST LOVE and not just admired and will you make Jesus preeminent and not just prominent?
- Do you know with certainty that you have the first fruits of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you (Romans 8:14-17; 23)?
