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[0:00] A Pastor's Reflections Narrow Exodus 12.49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourns among you.

[0:12] Psalms 118.22 The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner. Acts 4.11-12 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

[0:30] Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. The world finds the preaching of the cross and the teachings of Christ to be too offensive to be believed.

[0:48] But what is it that offends? Why would the message of a Savior and the forgiveness of sins offend anyone? What is it that would ever cause someone to reject the hope of heaven?

[1:00] In Exodus 12, God is giving to Moses the basic framework of the Passover and its accompanying feast. He has already laid out many of its stipulations and features, but now he comes to the point of participation.

[1:16] Who exactly are those that may partake in deliverance and its remembrance? While deliverance is available for all, only those who qualify for the conditions of deliverance may partake.

[1:29] Just as only those who qualify for participation in the Passover may partake. God then lays out very specific qualifications for those who would be partakers.

[1:40] Does this mean that there are those who will be excluded from deliverance? Yes. Just as there are those who are excluded from Passover. But it does not mean anyone needs to be excluded.

[1:53] God lays out a means by which all might partake. There is a path to deliverance for any who would follow God's process into covenant and relationship. This is what the world rejects.

[2:07] The exclusivity of deliverance. They like the idea of deliverance from death and hell. They even like the idea of living under the blessings and promises of God. But what they cannot abide is the idea that there is only one exclusive way to obtain deliverance and blessing.

[2:26] Why not multiple ways? Why not multiple paths? Why only one? In Psalms 118, we are told of the temple cornerstone that was rejected.

[2:39] Only to then be realized for what it truly was. The single foundational piece of the temple needed to set all other pieces. It would be ridiculous, confusing, and structurally unsound to have multiple chief cornerstones.

[2:55] There can only be one. In the same way, it would be ridiculous, confusing, and unsound to have multiple paths to deliverance and salvation. Imagine a different path for each type of person and situation.

[3:10] How do you know? Which one would apply to you? How do you know you are building your faith off of the right law of deliverance, designated for your specific condition?

[3:20] No. No. Instead of many, God makes it easy and gives us one blanket process by which all might enter into deliverance. Matthew 7, 14.

[3:33] Because straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leads into life. And thank you, Jesus. It is so. Father, thank you for making salvation and deliverance so simple.

[3:46] The test of our salvation is a one-answer test. And it is so simple that even a child could pass it. Thank you, Jesus, for being the means, the method, and the answer to this narrow, but all-sufficient, way of salvation.

[4:02]  Amen.