Sermon Cloud

SAM 12/30/07, CLC

Genesis, A new beginning for a new year.

In Exodus 12:2, in the preparations for the Passover, God told Moses that this was to be the beginning of the year for them. Their deliverance from bondage was their beginning. See also Deu 16:1

In Jewish custom, new year was a time

1. to remember what God had done for them, in the past, and also that year.

2. to consecrate themselves to the plan of God.

3. to declare His Kingship over the earth. They would blow the shofar, to mark His kingship

4. to declare that He is Lord.

5. to repent.

6. To look forward to the new year to come. To plan for a better year.

Before the foundation of the earth, there was a plan.

Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

The Message (MSG)

Ephesians 1:3-6How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Genesis 1 God said, and it was so.

God had to speak it into existence before it would come to pass. There’s a plan of God for our lives, but we are going to have to speak it into existence. Just having it in our minds won’t work. It has to be released!

Genesis 2 God created Adam and Eve.

Some parts of our plan will be spoken into existence, others will have to be worked with our hands. We have to put our hands to something. Get your mouth working (speaking God’s words, what you want for your life, and get your hands working, doing what you can to bring the plan to pass.) Faith with out works…

1 Corinthians 15:45 Last Adam

Ec 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do [it] with [all] your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

Be ready

Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ex 12:11 ‘Now you shall eat it in this manner: [with] your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover.

They rested afterwards, after they had done what He told them to do. In the feast of the new year, everything always ends in a rest.

Heb 4:11 ¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.