Texts:  Nehemiah was written in the mid-fifth century B.C. when Israel was trying to rebuild its devastated nation and economy.  I want you to notice how Nehemiah saw the celebration of FirstFruits (which represented the reaffirmation of covenant) as the key to his personal success and the success of his nation.

Nehemiah 10:35  "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the FirstFruits of our crops and of every fruit tree [every other source of income].”

Nehemiah 12.44  “At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, FirstFruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites [FF was for the priesthood].”

Nehemiah 13.31  “I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the FirstFruits. Remember me with favor, O my God.”

Introduction:  The New Testament word aparche translates the Old Testament Hebrew word bikkurim.  They both mean the initial offerings from a believer to God of his harvest for a given year.  Let’s consider why the palm branch is a symbol, mentioned in the gospels, for “Palm Sunday,” the Sunday before FirstFruits/Resurrection.

Over the last few years, we have learned a lot about FirstFruits.

One of the first things we learned was the principle that God can always be found at the point of sacrifice.  Today, if you need God, I have good news for you; I know where you can find him!   When Abraham was called upon to make the quintessential sacrifice of his son, and he chose to obey, he found God at that altar.  Moses’ parents sowed their infant son into the providential hands of God by placing him upon the Nile, and they reaped a deliverer for their people.  The Shunnamite woman served the prophet Elijah her last bit of bread, and she was miraculously fed by the hand of God for many months that followed.  When Mary was faced with the prospect of a teenage pregnancy, she said, “Be it done unto me according to your will.”  When the widow gave her last two mites, she saw God in the flesh.  Each of these illustrates this first principle - God can always be found at the point of sacrifice.

We also learned that Jesus was raised from the dead on the Day of FirstFruits.  He was crucified on the 14^th of Abib (the Friday of Passover week in 30 A.D.), and he rose from the dead on the 16^th of Abib – the Sunday after Passover when FirstFruits was celebrated.  Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on the day of FirstFruits guarantees a full manifestation of the resurrection of all who die in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15.20 says, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the FirstFruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

1 Corinthians 15.23  says, “But each in his own turn: Christ, the FirstFruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”            

Thirdly, we learned that FirstFruits is not only a guarantee of future resurrection, but also an assurance of the manifestation of the full harvest.  This portends the massive global harvest that will precede the return of Christ.Jeremiah 2.3  “Israel was holy to the Lord, the FirstFruits of his harvest.”

Romans 11.16 - “If the part of the dough offered as FirstFruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

James 1.18  - “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of FirstFruits of all he created.”

Revelation 14.4 - “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as FirstFruits to God and the Lamb.”

This year, more than ever, we need to believe God for a spiritual harvest.  When we put our focus upon extending God’s kingdom and upon living for others, FirstFruits then becomes a guarantee of our own financial prosperity.  Consider these three verses:

Matthew 6.33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his ….”

John 3.2 “I wish above all else that you would prosper and be ….”

Proverbs 3.9-10  “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the FirstFruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Jonathan Edwards is considered by many to be one of the greatest preachers in American history. He lived in an agrarian era in colonial America when FirstFruits were part of church life.  His preaching is often credited with bringing about the first Great Awakening of American history from 1730-1760, when six sudden conversions in Edwards' parish turned into a flood of thirty per week, drawing people from up to a hundred miles away.    

Jonathan Edwards understood that his sins were forgiven by Christ’s shed blood on the Cross. He strove daily to consecrate himself to the Lord. Here is Edward’s consecration:

I claim no right to myself—no right to this understanding, this will, these affections that are in me; neither do I have any right to this body or its members—no right to this tongue, to these hands, feet, ears, or eyes.  I have given myself clear away and not retained anything of my own. I have been to God this morning and told Him I have given myself wholly to Him. I have given every power, so that for the future I claim no right to myself in any respect. I have expressly promised Him, for by His grace I will not fail. I take Him as my whole portion and felicity, looking upon nothing else as any part of my happiness. His law is the constant rule of my obedience.  I will fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil to the end of my life. I will adhere to the faith of the Gospel, however hazardous and difficult the profession and practice of it may be.

I receive the blessed Spirit as my Teacher, Sanctifier, and only Comforter, and cherish all admonitions to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist me. This I have done.  I pray God, for the sake of others, to look upon this as a self-dedication, and receive me as His own. Henceforth, I am not to act in any respect as my own. I shall act as my own if I ever make use of any of my powers to do anything that is not to the glory of God, or to fail to make the glorifying of Him my whole and entire business.  If I murmur in the least at afflictions; if I am in any way uncharitable; if I revenge my own case; if I do anything purely to please myself, or omit anything because it is a great denial; if I trust to myself; if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me; or if I am in any way proud, I shall act as my own and not God's. I purpose to be absolutely His.

Jesus Christ has covered our sin through His sacrifice on the Cross. We only need to accept Him and to live for Him, and we are absolutely His. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for covering your sins and live today for Christ’s glory.

“When Jesus bowed his head, and dying took our place, The veil was rent, a way was found to that pure home of grace.” – John Elias

God’s Word: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” – 1 Peter 3:18

Conclusion:  Next Sunday we will bring our pledges and the “first of the FirstFruits” – see Exodus 23.19.  While you are turning, let me remind you that this year in mid-May, President Bush is sending you a check …

Next Sunday I am going to present a series of questions, but for now, let’s consider this sole question:  Does my FirstFruits offering reflect the depth of my gratitude to God for what he has done in my life, and does it reflect my faith in what he is going to do in me and for me for the coming year?