Shabbat Word
20/07/2019
Shabbat Shalom!
Psalm 134:1-3
134:1) A Ma`alot Song.
Look! Praise Yahuah, all you servants of Yahuah,
Who stand by night in Yahuah’s house!
134:2) Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.
Praise Yahuah!
134:3) May Yahuah bless you from Tziyon;
Even He who made heaven and earth.
A Word
The Bible is like a parachute: it is only of use when it is opened.
I have never really been afraid of heights and I have worked aloft on many occasions. I have had the unusual ‘pleasure’ of working on top of cranes and tanks or looking down into deep chambers before descending into the depths. However, as you get older, the knees have a will of their own and wobble at bit before succumbing to the brain’s command to move. I have used safety harnesses before but never a parachute.
It has been said that it is not the fall that kills, but the stopping.
“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). When the Jewish authorities questioned the Master, He retorted that although they studied Torah, they were not able to understand it. This was because when they studied, they were under the guidance of other men. These teaches of the Law retold the teachings of previous teachers and so on back into history. Therefore, when error crept in the same, the error was perpetuated on down the line. This error was that the Oral Law (along with tradition of the fathers and doctrine) was to be held as the same authority as the Written Law.
“How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that comes from the only `Elohiym? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moshe, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moshe, you would believe me; for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:44-47). Beloved, have you noticed that the Master gave primacy to the written word over the oral teachings, even if the teachings came from the Word Himself. What the Master was asking was why were the religious leaders giving primacy to words uttered by men, not mentioned in Scripture, when they ignored the words spoken of Messiah who is the throughout Scripture.
On the Home page of this website and in the prologue of each study, FGA stress that primacy must not be given to anything other than the Written Word. Yes, it is good to use helps such as commentaries, sermons and lessons, but these are from men, not from Yeshua. There is much to learn from the early Jewish sages and rabbis or early Church Fathers. Nevertheless, too much authority is given to commentaries from men such as Calvin, Henry, Hertz etc. I do not consider myself as knowledgeable as these and likewise caution you to weigh up the messages on FGA and all commentaries with Scripture.
One of the main criticisms of the Bible is that it is hard to understand. This can be due to people opening the Bible and expect to understand everything that is written therein. I have been studying Scripture now for over twenty-five years and have only scratched the surface. Many think that each book of the Bible is a stand-alone entity. Although they were written by many different men in various styles over hundreds of years, they were all written under the direct influence of Yeshua’s Spirit. There are basic truths about which to learn: everyone is a sinner and is destined for eternal punishment; there is nothing that we can do about it, and our need of a Saviour to take the punishment upon Himself on our behalf; salvation is on the belief that Messiah Yahshua, the Son of Yeshua, is that Saviour. The Bible describes this and He is the common thread that is woven throughout Scripture.
“But I know you, that you do not have Yeshua’s love in yourselves.” (John 5:42). This ‘love’ is the Spirit sent to be our Teacher. He alone can fully open up Scripture. “Every writing inspired by Yeshua is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, that the man of Yeshua may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). This Spirit is in every person and He reveals all that is necessary for salvation and for the work Yeshua has for each and every person.
A parachute is used when a person has fallen from a great height and is careering to their deaths. What a relief it must be when the ripcord is pulled and the parachute canopy opens up above you to prevent a catastrophe. Likewise, what a relief it is to open up the Bible and see how our need of a Saviour is met in the Person of Messiah Yeshua. It may not feel like it but every unrepentant sinner is hurtling towards death and eternal punishment.
Open that Bible right now. See the Canopy of Father’s love spread out over us and believe that Messiah Yeshua has taken that eternal damnation upon Himself!
Halleluyah
Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in Messiah Yeshuah so that in believing in His Life, Death and Resurrection we may have eternal life with you.
Ameyn.
If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through Messiah Yeshua, 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 Yeshua. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yeshua 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 Yeshua, 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 Yeshua.
All blessings to you.
“The wise in heart accept commandments,
But a chattering fool will fall.” (Prov. 10:8).
Breaking Matzah
Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yeshuah 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 forgiveness 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 Yeshuah, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yeshuah, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.
Please note the up-and-coming special days.
Rosh Chodesh 4th. Moon 01/08/2019.
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 and show you His favour)
(May Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.)
First Generation Assembly 