Shabbat Word
25/01/2020
Shabbat Shalom!
Psalm 10:1-18
10:1) “Why do you stand far off. Yahuah?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
10:2) In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak;
They are caught in the schemes that they devise.
10:3) For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings,
He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahuah.
10:4) The wicked, in the pride of his face,
Has no room in his thoughts for `Elohiym.
10:5) His ways are prosperous at all times;
He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight:
As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.
10:6) He says in his heart,
‘I shall not be shaken;
For generations I shall have no trouble.’
10:7) His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression.
Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
10:8) He lies in wait near the villages.
From ambushes, he murders the innocent.
His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.
10:9) He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless.
He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.
10:10) The helpless are crushed, they collapse,
They fall under his strength.
10:11) He says in his heart, ‘`El has forgotten.
He hides his face.
He will never see it.”
10:12) Arise, Yahuah!
`El, lift up your hand!
Do not forget the helpless.
10:13) Why does the wicked condemn `Elohiym,
And say in his heart,
‘God won’t call me into account?’
10:14) But you do see trouble and grief;
You consider it to take it into your hand.
You help the victim and the fatherless.
10:15) Break the arm of the wicked.
As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.
10:16) Yahuah is King forever and ever!
The nations will perish out of His land.
10:17) Yahuah, you have heard the desire of the humble.
You will prepare their heart.
You will cause your ear to hear,
10:18) To judge the fatherless and the oppressed,
That man who is of the earth may terrify no more.
A Word
The minute you start talking about what you are going to do if you lose, you have lost.
Imagine the scene:
It is a fine summer’s day and you decide to take a walk along a cliff top on the coast. You come to a fence with a gate that has a large sign conspicuously posted stating ‘DANGER! Cliff edge liable to collapse. Keep to the path and well away from the cliff edge.” You carry on through the gate admiring the view.
Are you attracted to the edge or the idea of danger? Is it because of the sign or are you that keen to look over the edge? When I was at sea, it was nice to go on deck after finishing work to cool off and look out at sea. However, at night, there was the danger of looking down at the wake passing the ship, especially if there was fluorescence in the water. The sea tends to draw you down and it takes quite an effort to break away. It is the same with a cliff edge.
Great debates have taken place over the years as to whether it is possible to ‘lose your salvation’. This has always worried me in as much as why the question should ever arise. What possible action could be so terrible that forgiveness was not possible?
“but whoever may blaspheme against the Ruach HaKodesh never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mark 3:29). This is the proof text that is most commonly used to argue for the answer yes to the question. The difficulty arises when defining the word ‘blaspheme’. Normally it is taken as a cursing Yahuah `Elohiym as Father, Son or Ruach. However, this would seem highly unlikely by one who has surrendered their life to Yahuah through His Son, Messiah Yahusha. There are times in every Believer’s life when tragedy strikes leaving the Believer questioning Yahuah’s motives. Take Iyov (Job) for example. He loses his children, his wealth, his status and eventually his health. His wife famously calls him to ‘curse Yahuah and die’ (Job. 2:9). In spite of all that has happened to him, Iyov refuses. Some translations say ‘renounce’ instead of curse. This would make more sense if renounce was substituted for ‘blaspheme against’ in Mark 3:29.
Then again, is this likely? How could a true Believer, having been born again from above renounce their heavenly Father? “Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Surely the old self has died and been replaced by a new self, made incapable of such an act?
Therefore, if this is not possible, what does it say about the person’s original salvation? Surely this must be called into question? “Examine me, Yahuah, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.” (Psa. 26:2). Yahuah cannot be deceived. Even though a person says a ‘Believer’s prayer’ does not automatically guarantee salvation. The person might genuinely feel as though they are sincere, but a truly wicked heart (mind in biblical terms) can deceive even the person. Yahuah can see into a person’s heart (thoughts) and knows of the person’s intentions in the future.
There is another way of looking at the word ‘blaspheme’. It is through the work of the Ruach HaKodesh, that a person is truly convicted of their sin. It is by the leading of the Ruach that a person comes to know and accept Messiah Yahusha as Master and Saviour. If a person mocks the Ruach HaKodesh, then they are making fun of all the work that is culminated in the act of salvation. The birth, life, death, resurrection and exaltation of Messiah Yahusha is ridiculed. The grace and mercy of the Father is laughed at and ignored or tossed aside. No wonder that this is a sin for which there can be no forgiveness.
“though He was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things He suffered. Having been made perfect, He became to all of those who obey Him the author of eternal salvation,” (Heb. 5:9). Through the obedience of the Son, man has inherited eternal life.
“He distributes freely, he gives to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His power will be increased with honour.” (Psa.112:9). This psalm describes a Believer and how his righteousness is eternal. This righteousness is not his own but that of Messiah clothing him. The righteousness of the Believer is a result of salvation, both are here called eternal.
Notwithstanding this argument, it has always puzzled me why the initial question should ever arise. In the scenario above, why take any chance that the cliff would crumble as you walk past.
STAY AWAY FROM THE EDGE!
Do not do anything that may cause you to fall.
Nevertheless, whether it is possible to lose your salvation (which I believe you cannot) or not, you first have to be saved.
Everyone has something in their lives that they have done wrong or ashamed of and try to hide it. Are you able to say to the Judge of all, “Examine me, Yahuah, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.”? It is of no use burying your head in the sand, as there will be a reckoning to come, one day. This is like if you walked along that cliff top and just keep walking until you run out of ground and fall over the precipice. Everything has been done to warn you of your eternal danger. Do not let this moment pass without, at least, taking stock of your eternal status; it does not meet the Judge’s exacting standards. Therefore, seek His forgiveness through His Son, Messiah Yahusha, while there is still time.
Halleluyah
Ameyn
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.
“The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
But the lips of the wise protect them.” (Prov. 14:3).
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.
26/01/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 11th. New Moon
25/02/2020 – Rosh Chodesh 12th. New 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.).
First Generation Assembly 