14/12/2019

Shabbat Word

14/12/2019

Shabbat Shalom!

Psalm 5:1-13

5:1) For the Chief Musician, with the flutes.

       A Psalm of David.

5:2) Give ear to my words, Yahuah.

       Consider my meditation.

5:3) Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my `Elohiym;

         For to you do I pray.

5:4) Yahuah, in the morning you shall hear my voice.

       In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.

5:5) For you are not an `Elohiym who has pleasure in wickedness.

       Evil cannot live with you.

5:6) The arrogant shall not stand in your sight.

       You hate all workers of iniquity.

5:7) You will destroy those who speak lies.

       Yahuah abhors the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.

5:8) But as for me, in the abundance of your lovingkindness I will come into your               house:

        I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.

5:9) Lead me, Yahuah, in your righteousness because of my enemies.

       Make your way straight before my face.

5:10) For there is no faithfulness in their mouth.

         Their heart is destruction.

         Their throat is an open tomb.

         They flatter with their tongue.

5:11) Hold them guilty, `Elohiym.

         Let them fall by their own counsels;

         Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions,

         For they have rebelled against you.

5:12) But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice,

         Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them.

         Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.

5:13) For you will bless the righteous.

         Yahuah, you will surround him with favour as with a shield.

 

A Word

Yahuah is that, the greater than which cannot be conceived.

The concept of infinity is practically impossible for a finite mind to comprehend. Mathematically it is possible to represent infinity but it does not describe what it is. It has been said that the number of stars in the sky or the grains of sand on a beach is infinite, but in reality it is not. It may take many lifetimes to count them, but eventually they can be numbered. Therefore, when Scripture talks of eternity, it is describing an infinite number of days but as it is not possible to comprehend eternity, it can be put to one side or looked upon as irrelevant.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahuah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8, 9). The Bible tries to describe an infinite `Elohim (Father/Son/Spirit) by giving Him human attributes. He has hands and arms but as infinite strength (omnipotent). He sees but not as a human would see as He is everywhere (omnipresent).

`Elohim is called Father but He is much more (Creator, Sustainer etc). He is called Son but He is much more (Saviour, Atonement etc.). He is called Spirit but He is much more (Comforter, Teacher etc.). When Father is mentioned to a Believer subconsciously all the attributes flood into the mental process. Likewise with the Son and Spirit. It is the way that Scripture unfolds these infinite concepts to a human finite mind. However, no matter how intelligent a person is or how long a person has studied, Yahuah `Elohim is so far above these thoughts.

Another concept is Heaven. There are many attempts by Scripture to describe the beauty, the peace and the magnificence of a place where all who have put their trust in Messiah Yahusha, taking away their punishment for sin, will go to when the die. Scripture tells of a place of no pain or hunger, tiredness or distress. There will be no night time. In fact, due to the presence of Yahuah `Elohim light will shine everywhere and there will not even be a shadow to darken Heaven. Cool refreshing waters flow and there will be no death even though lions, leopards, wolves and bears intermingle with lambs and children. Death, the final enemy of Mankind, will have been defeated by Messiah Yahusha. Even all this leaves the true glory of Heaven beyond human imagination.

Alarmingly, the same can be said of Hell, the depository of all those who have not put their trust in Messiah Yahusha. Scripture tells of a place of horror and of the worm that continually torments, of gnashing of teeth and absolute darkness. Thirst and hunger are constant companions in a place of brimstone and heat. The only things Heaven and Hell have in common are that in both, there will be no death and once in there can be no leaving. This is known as the Second Death, but is really a life of suffering. This cannot begin to describe the horror awaiting unrepentant sinners.

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of Yahuah is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Master.” (Rom. 6:23). At a person’s physical death, their spirit has been assigned its final place based upon the decision of a sinner whether or not to accept Messiah Yahusha’s atoning work in receiving their deserved punishment. After the final Judgement Day when body, soul and spirit are re-united, a person ends up in Heaven or Hell; for eternity. Remember what I said at the beginning of this message? Eternity is an infinite number of days.

How good is your imagination? Is it capable of thinking of an infinite number of days; time without end? Has it the capacity to comprehend an eternity of peace or torment forever and ever and ever, time without end?

Or do you not want to think about it?

Have you the capability to think of your life of sin is good enough to get into Heaven?

Or can you understand that all sinners require a Saviour and that a decision must be made without delay.

Accept Messiah Yahusha as Master and Saviour and enter Heaven or reject the freely given Gift of salvation and enter Hell.

The decision is yours; or do you not imagine it is worth the trouble to think it over?

Ameyn

Halleluyah!

 

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.” 

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.

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.

Ameyn.

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.

 

“Through wisdom a house is built;

By understanding it is established;

By knowledge the rooms are filled

With all rare and beautiful treasure.

A wise man has great power;

And a knowledgeable man increases strength;” (Prov. 24:3-5).

 

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, 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.

27/12/2019 – Rosh Chodesh 10^th. Moon

 

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 and show you His favour)

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