How Faith Covers You When Nothing Else Can | Jonathan Evans

There's something powerful about good oldfashioned holiness where you will live your life righteously before God because by faith you have been delivered. And now this is my new home. This is where I'm going to dwell. This is where I'm going to live. This determines how I raise my kids.

This determines how I'm single. This determines how I'm married. This determines my business. This determines my money. This determines how I talk. This determines my patience. This determines my gentleness. This determines my faithfulness. This determines how I live for the Lord. I'm staying it on. >> Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families and slay the Passover lamb.

You shall take a bunch of hissip and dip it in the blood which is in the basin and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lentil and the two doorpost. And none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.

For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians. And when he sees the blood on the lentil and on the two doorpost, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you. And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.

When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall observe this right. And when your children say to you, "What does this right mean to you?" You shall say, "It is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt, when he smoked the Egyptians, but spared our homes."

And the people bowed low and worshiped. Then the sons of Israel went and did so, just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. So they did. Now it came about at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.

Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants, and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home, where there was not someone dead. ((music playing)) Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) Heat. Heat. N. ((music playing)) Hey. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) That was the sound of the last plague. Can you imagine that sound? the sound of the last plague at the Passover.

Because when the last plague came, there was a clear distinction between the believer and the unbeliever. You see, when this last plague cla came, there was a clear distinction between the elect and the unelect. At the last plague, there was a clear distinction between God's promised people and the procurement of pain.

At this last plague, there was a line drawn in the sand between the living and the dead. There was a last plague for them. And I need you to know that there's a last plague coming to town for us. And when that last play comes, there's going to be a clear distinction >> between those who chose culture and those who chose Christ. >> At this last plague, when it comes, there's going to be a clear distinction between the sheep and the goats.

It's going to be clear on that day when this last plague comes between those who chose the comfort of this world and those who chose the carrying of the cross. >> There's going to be clarity then. You can play games now, but you're not going to be able to play games then >> because there's going to be a line drawn in the sand when the day of the Lord shows up and judgment takes place. >> There's going to be a distinction between those who lived a slavery that looked like freedom and those who chose a freedom to be Christ's slave.

There there's going to be a clear distinction on that day. And on this day in Egypt, a distinction was made between those who chose the blood >> and those who chose to bleed. >> The destroyer came to town at midnight. The scripture says in verse 29 of chapter 12, it says, "He came at midnight and then there was a great cry in Egypt." >> And can you imagine that cry of parents walking out of their house holding their dead children knowing that they heard about this, but they chose to ignore the word. the the level of regret, not just in the whailing and the cry that I've lost my child, but I also could have prevented it if I had submitted to the word given by Moses. >> So, I'm crying out for two reasons.

Because of the loss and because of my rejection. I have been at funerals where it was that type of cry. You can tell the difference between those who cry at a funeral because they'll miss someone, but they still have the hope of faith >> and those who cry at a funeral because there is no hope at all. >> That is a different type of cry. >> When you know that there was no blood on the doorpost for that individual and now there is no turning back.

Let me tell you though about a greater cry. It's not just for the individuals that know. It's for the individual that's right here. >> Okay, you don't get it. >> When you wake up in total darkness, separation from God and torment. >> You remember that you heard about this and I trust you down there.

They believe >> the level of regret when you can't turn back and change the decision. >> If you don't believe me, in Luke 16, there is the story of the rich man >> and Lazarus. >> And the rich man died and he was separated from God. And Lazarus was in Abraham's bosom, which represents heaven.

And the rich man looked up to Abraham's bosom and asked Lazarus for a drop of water because of the torment. >> And you're focused on the torment of him asking for a drop of water. I'm focused on the fact that he could see Abraham's bosom, but he couldn't get there. >> He can see it enough to see the difference between where he is and where Lazarus Lazarus was.

He could see the difference and can't do anything about it. And I'm preaching about this fact 2,000 years or years later, thousands of years after it was written, >> which means >> from the time that it was written to me preaching on this stage, he's still been in the same torment. >> You want to talk about a great cry?

Trust me, there is nobody partying there. >> It's a great cry of recognition of the regret that I did hear a word, >> but I chose to reject it. >> And when I think deeply about that, it changes how we sing the song and read the scriptures. Yeah, >> that song we have overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.

Everyone overcome. >> Oh, you didn't hear it. You didn't hear it. We have overcome >> by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. Everyone overcome because when you have overcome over here we have overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.

Everyone overcome. See, when you understand that by his blood and that testimony, >> you have escaped a great cry. >> It changes how you worship. >> It changes how you live. >> It changes how you give. >> It changes your joy. You may be frustrated on the outside, but I have joy >> on the inside because I am saved by the blood of the lamb. that weeping may endure for a night, >> but joy comes in the >> in the morning >> because we've overcome >> for those of you who have said yes. >> Now, let me make it clear >> so that you know at Oakliff Bible Fellowship, we're going to teach the gospel.

John 3:36, "Those who believe in the Son have eternal life. Those who don't will not see life." >> 1 Thessalonians 5 2 and 3. The day of the Lord will come swiftly. >> And so will destruction like a woman with sudden labor pains and there will be those who will not escape.

You need to understand John 3:18 that says, "Those who believe in the son, there will be no judgment. >> But those who do not believe are judged already." >> The Bible says in 1 John 5:12, it says that those who have the son have the life. >> Those who do not have the son do not have the life.

Revelations 20:15 says, "If your name is not found in that book of life, there is a second death." I want to make sure that you clearly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and the choice that you have >> that at this church you were given the warning as Moses gave the warning >> that you hear clearly that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the father except through him. that there is a warning that is given at Oakliff Bible Fellowship for those who are in the room and for those who are online >> that this war take heed to this warning >> because he will return >> and he will judge. >> This is a righteous judgment. >> You ask how can a good God do this?

He gave him a choice. >> And he doesn't even owe you that >> because the wages of sin is death. That's what you earned. >> But he's a good God. The Bible says in Psalm 98 that he judges equitably. It says that he gives joy to the righteous, but he brings terror to the evildoer >> because he's a totally holy, totally righteous, unblenmished God who does not accept sin of any kind.

And all good judges will judge criminals. >> If he does not judge, that makes him unjust. >> So as a just judge, he must judge the criminal. Yeah, >> that's what makes him just. >> And I want to make sure you hear this because they heard it. >> In Exodus 11:4-9, Moses spoke the word >> and it says Pharaoh did not listen, >> but he spoke the word. >> Okay, >> you think that this message is only for the unsaved?

Come on. ((applause)) ((music playing)) >> But the Bible teaches me that Moses gave a warning. >> Oh, you didn't get it. >> We have Christians who sit in church >> and then go out there and let people die >> because they won't speak a word of the gospel that saved them.

So, when the tow truck driver comes to pick you up and you sit in his car, the entire time he's driving you to your dealership or taking you back to your house, you ain't going to say nothing. >> You're not going to pray. You're not going to invite him to church.

You're not going to ask him what he believes. You're not going to say nothing. You thought he was there to serve you, but God put you there to serve him. And in the church, we've gotten so comfortable that we just let people die. ((applause)) >> That's not just your banker. >> That's a soul. >> That's not just your salesman or woman.

That's not just your barber. That's not just your stylist. That's a soul >> that could experience a second death and you sitting there saved and satisfied. >> And you say, "But I don't I'm not a pastor. I don't talk like that's not what I do." That's exactly what Moses said. >> Moses stuttered.

I can't talk. Why would you ask me to do this? God don't care about that. >> Get out there and say a word >> and let the spirit tell you what to say that you don't know. That means that in the church, you're going to have to have a different level of trust in God. >> You see that part?

When you feel nervous cuz you know you should say something, but you don't want to say nothing, that means you're prideful >> because you're depending on your ability >> to save someone when you can't save nobody anyway. It all comes from God. So, how you going to be a coach with a team and not say nothing about Jesus, but you want to talk about dribbling? >> How you going to be a real estate agent taking all of these people to buy a house, but they going to miss out on the house of the father? >> That you and I have a job to do just like Moses did to give the warning.

It's so unfortunate >> that we are ashamed of the gospel >> and more ashamed of the gospel than we are the part we play in the agonizing cry of someone else's death. >> You cannot make them choose, >> but the gospel can always be your choice. Yeah, >> I see that Moses gave the warning.

He gave the warning and Pharaoh didn't listen. Okay, let me go practical for a second. Some of us have the Moses issue where we like to focus on our insufficiencies and allow ourselves to be the determining factor on whether we going to be godly or not. >> But others of us are not in the category of Moses at all. >> Some of us are Pharaoh. >> Everybody reads the scripture and somehow they're the the victor.

But some of us are the villain in the passage. >> Where we practically will hold on to stuff even when we get a word. >> Where we'll come to church and get a word to let go of that toxic relationship and we won't. >> We'll come get a word to let go of our pride and we won't.

You'll come get a word to trust God and let go of your self-sufficiency, but you won't. But then you want to pray about pestilence. So, you want God to take the locust away, >> but you want to hold on to what serves you instead of releasing it to serve God.

((applause)) >> There's some people in here who want emotional stability while holding on to resentment and unforgiveness. No, Pharaoh, let go. >> Let go or the plagues will keep coming. >> God is trying to get something for Pharaoh. It would actually be a salvation problem. And when you're unwilling to let go of your pride, >> salvation's not an option for you because Pharaoh would rather be God than allow God to be God. >> Not coming to Christ is such a prideful decision. >> Cuz you can save yourself.

((applause)) Your grip is tight. >> And Pharaoh, not only did he harden his heart, I got one more for you that may confuse you for a bit, but I'm going to straighten it out. >> In Exodus 4:21, we read something that is unfair. God h hardened Pharaoh's heart. Yes. >> The Bible says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart for his greater glory. >> Now, here's a question for the theologians in the room. >> How can God predetermine someone to destruction? >> For those in the room that are thinking, "Wait a minute."

The same thing with Judas. That is a prophecy that one would betray him for 30 shekels of silvers, hundreds of years before it ever took place. That means Judas is the son of predition. He had no choice but to betray God. >> Does God then predetermine people to destruction?

Does God determine you're in, you're out? >> Well, let me give you my view if you don't mind me going a little deeper today. >> The Bible says that in Adam all die. In Christ all are made alive. 1 Timothy 4:10 says, "Especially those who are believers." My belief is that God gives everyone the option. >> But he already knows who will choose and who won't. >> The question is really when does he know? >> That is a question of humanity because we use terms of time. >> The problem with that is God is eternal. 1 Timothy 1:17 characterizes him as an eternal God.

Eternal means outside of the bounds of time. >> Therefore, God sees everything forever and always at once. >> He doesn't have to wait on things to happen in order to know what's going to happen. Because the Bible says in Revelations 1:8, he is the alpha and the omega.

That means he's the beginning and the end simultaneously. The one who created time sees all time at once. ((applause)) >> Everybody in here presently knows that I just screwed off the cap and drank the water. You have a present full knowledge of my actions. Your present knowledge doesn't inh my freedom to go do it >> because it's present. >> In the same way, God, because he's eternal forever always knows every action for every person presently. >> He doesn't have to wait past, present, and future.

He knows it present. And because he forever always sits outside of time and knows every action in the present, it still gives you your freedom to choose it. >> Are you still with me? >> Therefore, since he's eternal and doesn't have to wait in time, even though he operates in time, he sees everything presently all the time, which still gives you your free will. >> Okay?

So he forever always knew in the present every decision of Pharaoh >> which means Pharaoh was still choosing God wasn't determining but God always knows >> because it's sitting outside of time. >> Therefore because he forever always knew in the present every choice of Pharaoh >> he forever always knew in the present that Pharaoh would be liquid concrete.

So he just blew on him. >> Since I forever always know the decision that he's going to make, I'm going to use every decision for my glory. >> Giving you your free will, maintaining my omniscience all at the same time. >> That is a lesson in predestination. Um you may say well why do the writers say those that he forneew he already predestined >> because the writers are writing in time >> and they have to use tenses for your understanding. >> We live linearly and there is because time was created a before creation. >> But for God since he created time he just knows it all >> at the same time.

So we who live linearly don't need to try to take on that God stuff. >> You got to wait and see >> even though he doesn't. So therefore, it's not our job, watch, to blow on people because we think they're liquid concrete. >> It's not your job to look at somebody else and say, "Well, they can't be saved.

That's a waste of my time. I'm not even going to do it." >> It's not your time. your job to determine anything because you're not him. >> It's your job to say the gospel, preach the gospel because the Bible says in Hebrews 3, "Let not your heart be hardened," which means it's a choice. >> So the goal here today is not for me to predict what God knows.

The goal here for me today and for us today >> is for us to find out >> what he forever always knew. >> And hopefully there are those in here that hearts will be softened to the gospel of Jesus Christ and or delivering that gospel >> because we need the warning to go out. >> Time is running out.

The day of the Lord is quickly approaching. >> And Moses tells them what to do when this moment comes. >> As the last plague was coming, Moses told them in verse 22 of chapter 12, "Go get some hissup >> and dip it in the basin." Hipup was a collection of white flowers that had good absorption to them.

They would actually use them like a sponge to absorb liquids of different types to do what they needed to do. It would be the best paintbrush of their time. >> This is hip. That's white flowers. That was also a fragrant aroma that he was telling them to use to dip into the basin to absorb the blood which would become the blood of their salvation. >> He's telling us the same thing today.

He's saying you need hissup. >> Yes, sir. >> The question is what is hissip? David said in Psalm 51:7, cleanse me with hissip >> and make me white as snow. >> Hup for the believer is faith. For by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not of yourself.

It is the faith of the believer that absorbs the blood of our salvation. >> By faith alone and Christ alone, you are saved. And so what Moses is saying and what I'm saying today is give your trust and faith to Jesus Christ. dip your faith into the basin so that you absorb the blood of Jesus Christ which is for your salvation.

It would look like this. They would grab the hissip. It would be white petedalled flowers and he would say dip it into the basin and they would dip it into the basin and they would pull out the blood >> and then he would say he said his next command to them was put it on the lentil. >> Yes sir.

Yeah, >> the lentil is the top of the door. >> It is the beam that goes horizontally above the door frame. >> This right here is the lentil that they would apply from the hissip. In other words, the faith soaks up the blood of Jesus's salvation. And the first thing it does is cover you from above.

In other words, this faith when it soaks up the blood, what Moses is saying and what God is saying in the scriptures is that you are covered by the blood. >> And then he says, take that same hissip, dip it again. And now I want you to apply it to the doorpost. >> And it says there are two doorposts.

While the lentil is at the top, the doorposts are on the sides. This is how we understand our door frames today. And so he said, "I want you to take this blood and go to the top. I want you to take this blood and come down each side because I want you to know that when you absorb the blood with your faith, you are covered at the top.

You covered on the right. You covered on the left. You are covered on all sides because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." He's letting the believer know you are completely covered from all judgment when you have faith. Draw the blood and it covers you from top to the sides. >> This was a complete covering of salvation for the Hebrew people who listened in Egypt.

Then Moses gave a third command and he said after you absorb it by faith and after it gets applied to your whole situation and your household, your heart and your soul for the forgiveness of sins, then he tells them in the same verse, then he says, "Go in your house."

((applause)) >> He says, "Go in the house." And he says, "Don't come out. Oh, you didn't you didn't hear it. >> You got the faith. The blood gets applied. You're totally covered. Go in there and don't you come out. >> Oh, okay. This is what most Christians do. I'm saved, but I still want to come out at night.

Moses say, "Stay here." You say, "I don't come all the way out." But many Christians like to come halfway out. We call it straddling the fence. We call it being lukewarm. We call it not making a clear decision on how you're going to live your life based on how you're covered.

You want to play the end against the middle and do both at the same time. And then you want to complain about the destroyer. You want to complain about the pestilence. You want to say, "Well, I thought in Christianity there was not only life but abundant life." Yeah.

For those who stay in the house, stay in the house. There's something powerful about good oldfashioned holiness >> where you will live your life righteously before God because by faith you have been delivered. And now this is my new home. This is where I'm going to dwell. This is where I'm going to live.

This determines how I raise my kids. This determines how I'm single. This determines how I'm married. This determines my business. This determines my money. This determines how I talk. This determines my patience. This determines my gentleness. This determines my faithfulness. This determines how I live for the Lord.

I'm staying it on. And he said, "Stay in there until morning comes." That means until until death passes you by. >> Don't come out. There's something. Let's say it again. >> There's something good >> about good oldfashioned >> holiness >> where people live their life before God in total gratitude >> and don't try to use grace as an excuse to come out at night.

He says, "Stay at home and don't come out until morning." >> He says, "Because the Lord is coming. >> And when he comes, just so you're clear, >> there is judgment. >> He's going to smite the Egyptians. >> And he's going to smite the unsaved. >> This is the last plague."

And so, he's telling the people who will listen, have the faith, draw the blood. You're gonna be totally covered. Stay inside. >> Stay holy. Stay righteous. >> Don't let other people convince you from inside the house to leave the house. >> And he said, "Trust me, when you do this, >> this is going to be a memorial to you.

Yeah, >> it may not be easy staying inside wondering what's going on or this could have been and that could have been. You got to really trust >> but it is going to be a memorial to you when your children ask you about this day. >> The day of your salvation.

The reason why you live like this. The reason why you refrained from these things. The reason why you chose these people and rejected these. the reason why you decided to leave here and go. When they ask you about this, you can say, "Somebody told me about some hissup, >> some faith that I needed to place in Jesus. >> Jesus washed my sins away and now I stay at home."

And the Bible says >> in verse 29 of chapter 12, listen to the words, >> at midnight. >> Oh, you don't >> at midnight >> the destroyer came to town. >> Okay, let me say it again. At midnight, >> the destroyer showed up. >> It's time for the plague. >> In other words, your time has run out.

I hope you're ready. >> Yeah. >> Oh, no. You got to You got to go to Matthew 25 where the 10 virgins had the lamps in the lampstands. >> And some were ready >> and the others were not. Some played games because they thought time was on their side. >> And then chapter 25:6, it says there was a sound at midnight. >> At midnight, the bridegroom came to town and there was a shout from heaven >> and there were those who were not ready, who had to be left behind because they didn't have what was needed in order to enjoy the bosom of God.

I don't know the exact time of midnight >> because no one knows the time or the hour >> of when he was coming. All I'm trying to tell you is you better get some hissup. >> You better place that in faith in Jesus Christ. ((applause)) Some people think this is a church service. >> There are those who are watching online saying, "Oh, that's nice."

But then there's another group >> that their heart is changing a pace >> because God now is drawing you. >> And this is a warning >> that you want to take heed in >> because you know you don't want to be caught off guard >> when that last plague shows up.

The sound of that cry for those above the earth and under it. >> And you say, "How can God be so cruel?" No, he's that gracious. >> Just like in the days of Noah. >> It took Noah over a hundred years to build that boat. >> You say, "Well, God, how can God destroy the whole world?"

Well, because there's a law for the wages of sin is death. That makes him just. But he gave them over a hundred years to decide >> while Noah's constructing the boat. >> That's called grace. Yes. >> If you're still breathing, this is your second chance. >> Before the people would ever hit a wilderness, >> they would have to decide, >> do I even want to go on the journey? >> I bet the people of Egypt wished they had a second chance.

I bet the rich man >> in Luke 16, >> if he could tell you, >> he wish he had >> a second chance. >> So, I want to show you what a second chance could have looked like back then. >> That can look like that for you. >> Let's give a second chance.

Thank you. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) Your turn. >> Yeah. Amen. >> You get a second chance. >> Second chance at life. >> Not only abundant life here, but eternal life there. >> Such a good God to let me live until now to hear the word again. ((music playing)) So, what we're going to do is stand to our feet in the house.

And if there's anybody that wants to take advantage of this second chance, I'm going to ask you to walk, run, whatever you need to do to come to the altar and say, "I'm putting the blood on the doorpost today. I want to make sure that I take advantage of this second chance."

You feel your heart, your soul. For those of you online, ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) It's your opportunity. I'm going to ask for no moving in the house in this sacred moment. ((music playing)) You online too. This is for all of us. ((applause)) ((music playing)) This is the day that we accept Christ. If we have leaders, prayer warriors in the room, one woman to one woman, one man to one man.

((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) We'll take a second. This is the beginning. Thanks, Chris. We have overcome by the blood of the lamb. The Bible says as you continue to come, we have time. We're in no rush. As if we live for another reason. ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) And when you're coming down, we just want you to raise your hand so leaders can find you before our prayer of salvation where we dip the hiss up into the blood.

Just raise your hand so we can find you. We got a young man over here, young man up front. ((music playing)) Congratulations, young man. ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) ((applause)) ((music playing)) >> This is for why Christ died. Amen. ((music playing)) >> The Bible says Galatians 2:21, "I do not nullify the grace of God." >> If righteousness can come through any works of us, then Christ died needlessly. >> And he did not die needlessly. >> He died because that's all we need.

So now what I'm going to do, I want you to listen to me just for a moment is I'm going to pray a prayer of faith. This is the hissup moment. It is not the prayer that saves you in and of itself. It's not words. It is belief, your personal belief and faith and trusting Christ alone >> for the forgiveness of your sins.

And so I'm going to pray this prayer and I want you to repeat it after me, but believe it for yourself online the same for you. And I want our kingdom community to repeat it with them as a show of support. >> Here we go. Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner.

Lord Jesus >> and I'm in need of a savior. >> And I'm in need of a savior. >> You are that savior. >> You are that savior. >> I believe that you lived a perfect life. >> I believe that you live a perfect life. >> You died a sinner's death. >> You died >> for me. >> for me. >> And you rose from the dead. >> And you rose from the dead. >> So that I can live. >> So that I can live. >> I'm asking for life. >> I'm asking for life. >> I'm asking you save me. >> I'm asking you save.

I'm dipping the hissip. >> I'm dipping the hissip. >> Now wash me clean. >> Now wash me clean. >> Today >> Today >> I proclaim >> I proclaim >> that I believe >> that I believe >> in Jesus name. >> in Jesus name. >> All God's people say and celebrate it.

((applause)) >> Hallelujah. Amen.