The character of Jesus Christ—perfect love, humility, and unwavering obedience—forms the foundation of His ministry and remains the perfect standard for every believer. He came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom, seeking only the Father’s will. Because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, believers are called to follow His steps, examine their own character against His, and deliberately grow into His likeness.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is far more than the removal of sin; it is about filling the resulting void with the holy, righteous character of Christ. Scripture warns that an empty house, once swept clean, invites worse spirits to return. After putting sin out, believers must deliberately put on the new creation—living no longer for themselves but for Christ—so that God’s Spirit and righteous character fill the heart and mind.

Repentance is the indispensable key to forgiveness and a valid commitment to follow Christ, especially before partaking of the Passover symbols. God grants the ability to repent, yet each person must personally decide to change direction from Satan’s way to God’s way. Only those who have been called, understand the facts of sin and Christ’s sacrifice, and have publicly declared repentance through true baptism may worthily partake of the bread and wine.

Three weeks before Passover, the sermon reviews the festival’s history, beginning with Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lamb—a picture of salvation through Christ. From Egypt to Joshua to Hezekiah’s revival, Scripture shows that God intends His people to keep the Passover as an everlasting memorial with joy and careful preparation. Believers are urged to examine their lives thoroughly, renew their commitment, and keep the feast with wholehearted devotion.

As believers approach Passover, the sermon examines the pervasive danger of carelessness and thoughtlessness that has marked human history from Cain to Israel in the wilderness. Drawing on Corrie ten Boom’s selfless example and the judgment on Nadab and Abihu, it stresses that God holds His people accountable even for thoughtless words or actions. True discipleship requires deliberate, careful obedience to God’s commands and a heart of selfless service modeled after Christ.

Although the word “fear” is usually negative, Scripture commands believers to fear the Lord in a positive sense—an undivided heart that recognizes God’s absolute power, majesty, and wisdom. This godly fear is not cringing terror but reverent awe, respect, and love that motivates obedience. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and brings rich blessings, including protection and guidance. Believers are called to pray for a heart united to fear God’s name and to let that fear shape every decision and attitude.

Just as a nation’s ambassador represents his home government in a foreign land, every person in Christ is an ambassador for Christ in this present evil world. This world is enemy territory ruled by Satan, yet believers are to live as new creations, reflecting Christ’s character and offering the spiritual asylum of citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Their task is not to reform society, for no human effort can solve the problems caused by sin and Satan. Believers are urged to maintain their distinct identity and represent God’s laws and priorities faithfully until Christ returns.

God the Father and Jesus Christ, moved by love for mankind, have used the prophets to announce their plan of salvation and to warn the world to repent. Prophecy is not fortune-telling, but the inspired declaration of what God Himself will do to fulfill His purpose, together with a plea for obedience. Roughly one-third of the Bible consists of such prophecy, much of it carrying dual fulfillments that prove God’s power. Believers are urged to grasp its main purpose—learning what God is doing and what He requires—so they may develop Godly character and be ready when Christ returns.

The entire world stands in open rebellion against God’s sovereign authority, having been deceived and ruled by Satan, yet God has allowed this temporary condition to forge a family of Godly character through testing. Scripture reveals that the Kingdom of God will one day fill the whole earth, replace all human governments, and be ruled by the Father, Jesus Christ, and the resurrected saints. The gospel itself is the good news of this coming Kingdom. Believers are called to reject the world’s rebellion by keeping God’s commandments and to live now as loyal subjects who look forward to Christ’s return.