I. Matza Feast Points to Our Sanctification!
A. The first four Feasts illustrate God's spiritual plan of salvation!
- Pesach is a picture of our redemption when Jesus was crucified (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
- Matza is a picture of our sanctification as sinless Jesus was buried (1 Peter 1:15).
- Bikkurim is a picture of our resurrection as Jesus was raised (1 Cor. 15:20).
- Shavuot is a picture of our new spiritual life as the Holy Spirit was given (Acts 1:8).
B. The Feast of unleavened Bread inspire Christians to live holy lives!
- Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching (Luke 22:1).
- "Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread" (Leviticus 23:6).
- He began saying to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (Luke 12:1b).
II. Matza Feast Is Only Fulfilled Through Jesus!
A. Jesus alone is the living bread that came down out of heaven!
- "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh" (John 6:51).
- "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life" (John 6:63).
B. Jesus alone restores our relationship and our fellowship with God!
- If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).
- Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, July 14th, 2024
Life group flow and discussion questions
"The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matza)!"
An important Guideline of Life Groups: All Life Groups should seek to promote spiritual sanctification in one another. Discuss ways that you can make your group more holy unto the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).
Getting Started:
- How has Jesus fulfilled the first four Feasts at their specific appointed times?
- Why does God say that the person who eats what is leavened shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel (Exodus 12:15, 19)? What are the implications for anyone who rejects the forgiveness found in Jesus?
Discussing Truths:
- What are the three "Pilgrim Feasts" in which God requires all males to travel to Jerusalem to worship and present offerings (Deuteronomy 16:16, 17)?
- How does Isaiah 53 describe our Lord Jesus as He suffered for our eternal salvation and fulfilled the Feasts of Pesach, Matza and Bikkurim?
- Is holy living the goal for everyone who has? put their trust in Jesus by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10)?
- How is our spiritual joy and freedom blocked from our experience when there is the leaven of sin and hypocrisy in our lives?
- Why did many of Jesus? disciples withdraw and were not walking with Him anymore when He spoke of deeper commitment (John 6:66)? How did Jesus respond to their departure (John 6:67)?
- What is the difference between our "relationship with God" and our "fellowship with God"? How is each established and maintained?
Now What? Application:
- How will you apply the sanctification mentioned in Romans 6:22, 23 in your daily living?
- Is there any unconfessed sin that you need to repent of and confess before our Lord?