13/04/2019

Shabbat Word

13/04/2019

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Psalm 120:1-7

120:1) A Ma`alot Song.

In my distress, I cried to Yahuah.

He answered me.

120:2) Deliver my soul, Yahuah, from lying lips,

From a deceitful tongue.

120:3) What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you,

You deceitful tongue?

120:4) Sharp arrows of the mighty,

With coals of juniper.

120:5) Woe is me, that I live in Meshekh,

That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

120:6) My soul has had her dwelling too long,

With him who hates shalom.

120:7) I am for shalom,

But when I speak, they are for war.

 

A Word

Do right not through fear of the Law but in service to Messiah.

When I came back from Canada (where both my wife and I found Salvation through Messiah Yahusha), I immediately got a job as a Marine Superintendent in a local shipping company. A major part of the work was travelling to various ports around the country visiting vessels as they arrived at their berths. This meant that a lot of the time, I was fighting against tight deadlines. In rushing around, I was conscious that I was speeding. My foot was hard down on the accelerator pedal with the car going slower up hills and faster going down.

I was reminded of the Scripture, “Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for Yahuah’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme:” (1 Peter 2:13). The Spirit convicted me and so I applied this to my driving. So long as the law did not contravene Scripture, it is required of Believers to obey the law. I no longer intentionally speed, not because I am worried about the penalty, but in obedience to the Spirit.

In a much deeper sense, about eight years ago the Ruach told me to “…by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.” (Rom. 11:14). After asking how I was to accomplish this, the Ruach told me that I must keep all relevant Laws. This was not to earn my salvation; my salvation was already assured through my faith in the work of Messiah Yahusha. These Laws are the Written Law (Bible, Scripture) and not the Oral Law (man-made opinions, traditions).

Rav Sha`ul (Paul) fulfilled the above passage and was encouraging Gentiles to witness to the Jews in order to ‘provoke to jealousy’. This means to incite the non-Believing Jews to emulate the Gentiles that were capable of fulfilling the applicable Torah. The two matters that the Jewish non-Believers lacked that Believers (both Jewish and Gentile) have in order to comply with Torah was the knowledge of the Risen Messiah and the indwelling Set Apart Ruach.

Not all Laws were applicable to all people, at all times in all places so it needs individual study to find those personally relevant. This is one of the reasons that this Service is published on the Shabbat, to remember and keep it set apart. It is vitally important to let the Spirit teach this and not rely on man-made commentaries. As with next week, Pesach/Passover begins on Friday sunset, there are many traditions (Pesach Seder) that, in themselves are not wrong but are not Biblically mandated. Nevertheless there are mandatory regulations that must be observed (remove all leaven, not to eat leavened bread). Pesach is also an observed Shabbat irrespective of the day of the week it falls.

I have had trouble in ‘Churches’ that I have attended in the past because people thought that I was leading them back into legalism/Judaism. Their preconceived prejudices would not listen to the rationale behind my decision; that was to emulate my Master and please Father. He kept the Law without breaking any, unlike me that fails often. However, because of what He did for me, I have a way back when I repent and seek Father’s forgiveness in the Name of Messiah Yahusha.

“Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matt. 5:16). The Master’s ‘good works’ (Torah observance) were not to ensure His salvation, but to glorify His Father. Messiah Yahusha came to reveal the Father and He did this by showing how all Scripture points to Messiah, and through Him, reveals Father. He did not keep the Law to avoid the ultimate penalty. Ironically, it was He that faithfully obeyed all Torah that was crucified (sacrificed) paying the ultimate price for all Mankind.

Even non-Believers are partially Torah observant. Many honour their fathers and mothers, not bearing false witness, not committing adultery and certainly not doing murder. Although not knowing it, this is part of the work of the Ruach. Who, when doing wrong, has not had a moment of ‘conscience’? This is the Ruach convicting a person of the sin in the act. What then of the ‘voice’ that reminds us of our mortality and questions whether there is something after this life? This voice may be ignored but will not go away. What about each coffin that passes us in the streets? Or what about things on a grander scale; is there a Creator or is all just an accident of science? Why are we all here or is all just a random gathering of molecules?

“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.” (John 5:39). Scripture answers all these questions. Let the Ruach guide you through the Bible and you will surely find the answers to these questions and every other that Father through His Ruach causes to come to mind.

“and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of Father Yahuah is at hand! Repent and believe in the Good News.” (Mark 1:15). Your time has been fulfilled. Now is the time to repent and believe what Messiah Yahusha, our Saviour, has done for us.

“For the Law [repent and believe] of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahusha made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom.8:2). This same Ruach will draw you to Messiah. All that is required is that you acknowledge Messiah Yahusha, confess your wrong-doing and turn back to Father, believe that Messiah has paid the penalty for your transgressions and give thanks and praise for your eternal salvation.

Do what is right, right now!

Do not let Messiah’s death be wasted in your life.

Ameyn

 

Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in Messiah Yahusha so that in believing in His Life, Death and Resurrection we may have eternal life with you.

If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through Messiah Yahusha, you need to ask Him in prayer along these lines. Use your own words but they must be genuine as Father knows our very hearts and nothing is hidden from Him.

“Father, I am a sinner who needs forgiveness through your Son, Messiah Yahusha. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yahusha my Saviour, has taken upon Himself my punishment. By your Spirit, help me to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Thank you, Father, for making this way back to you.” 

Ameyn.

 

Remember, the Judge looks into your heart, mind and future.

In other words, when you say a Believer’s prayer you had better mean it.

If you have honestly said such a prayer as this, and truly renounced the sin in your life and accepted Father’s salvation through Messiah Yahusha, then please drop us an e-mail at FGA to let us know. This not only builds up our faith, it offers an opportunity to prayfully support you. Even if you have Believing friends or family, we at FGA would be privileged to pray for you. Please contact us at ezra710@firstgenerationassembly.com. Having believed and prayed, now please find a local faith-based church to attend. Drop FGA an e-mail so that we can rejoice with you and pray and support you over the coming weeks.

If you have sincerely called out to Father for forgiveness, then eternal life is assured. No more question marks on your eternal life, only a full stop. Salvation does not take away the day-to-day questions of life, nor is it a short-cut away from trials or tribulations. Nevertheless, knowing your eternal life is secure, any temporary trial can be overcome by looking at the completed work of Messiah Yahusha.

All blessings to you.

Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in Messiah Yahusha so that in believing in His Life, Death and Resurrection we may have eternal life with you.

 

“The eye that mocks at his father,

And scorns obedience to his mother:

The ravens of the valley shall pick it out,

The young eagles shall eat it.” (Prov. 30:17).

 

Breaking Matzah

Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yahusha as your Master and Saviour please take the next few moments to seek Father and to ensure that all is right between Him and you and between you and your Brothers and Sisters. If not, please put this right before continuing.

If you have not yet accepted Him into your life, then we encourage you to seek Him while it is still possible, as time is running out. When He returns or if you pass away then it will be too late. Please do not partake of the matzah and wine as in doing so, it gives thanks for the broken body (matzah) and shed blood (wine) for and a witness of salvation.

 

On the night of the Master’s betrayal, He took the matzah, blessed it and broke it saying ‘This is my Body broken for you; take and eat it as a memorial to Me.’

Bless the matzah saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who brings forth matzah from the earth.

Break and eat the matzah (sharing it if within a group setting):

After the meal He took the Cup of Blessing, blessed it saying ‘This is my Blood poured out for you for the remission of sins; take and drink it as a memorial to me.’

Bless the wine saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the wine (sharing it if within a group setting):

Thanksgiving prayer: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the universe, who gives us, in Yahusha, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yahusha, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.

 

Please note the up-and-coming special days.

Rosh Chodesh 2nd. moon 06/05/2019.

Pesach – 20/04/2019

Chag Matzah – 20/04/2019 to 27/04/2019

Counting of the Omer – 28/04/2019 to 08/06/2019

Shavuot – 08/06/2019

Father willing, we will meet again next Shabbat.

 

“Y’varekh’kha Yahuah v’yishmerekha,

Ya’er Yahuah panav eleikha vichunekka,

Yissa Yahuah panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha  shalom.”

(May Yahuah bless you and keep you)

(May Yahuah make His face to shine upon you show you His favour)

(May Yahuah lift up His face toward you and  give you peace.)